12 new hotel openings in February...

From villas carved into ancient Saudi caves to a Rajasthani-styled palatial property overlooking Jaipur

February may be the shortest month, but there is no shortage of hotel openings across the Middle East region and beyond.

Saudi takes centre stage with three unveilings, from Red Sea Global’s highly anticipated Desert Rock resort in the Hejaz Mountains, to the 118-key beachfront Kempinski, which marks the first five-star luxury hotel in historic port city, Yanbu.

With the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum slated for 3 July, properties are popping up all over Cairo, and making its debut this month is the world’s largest Sofitel and the 255-key Hilton, both with sweeping views of the Nile.

Beyond the Middle East, Anantara brings its experiential luxury brand to India for the first time with a palatial property in Jaipur, JW Marriott makes its Maldives debut and the Autograph Collection lands in Thailand’s Phuket as a resort and in Porto, Portugal as a wine-focused hotel.

These are the 12 most exciting hotel openings in February 2025.

Desert Rock, Saudi Arabia
Located in a volcanic valley millions of years old, Desert Rock’s villas (pictured above and below) are carved into ancient caves or perched atop cliffs, all with private pools, valley views and desert-inspired design. desert-rock-resort

Desert Rock, Saudi Arabia

Kempinski Hotel & Resort Sariya Yanbu Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
The first five-star luxury hotel in Yanbu, a historic port city in Saudi, the 118-key Kempinski Hotel & Resort Sariya Yanbu Red Sea comes with direct beach access, sea views, two restaurants, a marina, an infinity pool, a fitness centre and a spa that includes a womens-only beach, steam baths and tea lounge. kempinski-hotel

Kempinski Hotel & Resort Sariya Yanbu Red Sea

Millennium Lakeview Hotel, Dubai, UAE
Set against a waterfront backdrop in Dubai Investment Park’s Green Community, the rebranded 208-key Millennium Lakeview Hotel includes an outdoor swimming pool, a sports bar, a gym and spa, flexible event spaces and personalised concierge services. millennium-lakeview

Millennium Lakeview Hotel, Dubai

Mercure Riyadh Al Anood
Located in the Al Murabba district, with easy access to the city’s commercial and cultural landmarks, Mercure Riyadh Al Anood offers a rooftop wellness centre, a poolside lounge with skyline views and experiences “rooted in the local culture”. mercure-riyadh

Mercure Riyadh Al Anood

Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha
Reopened in February 2025 with 400 revamped rooms and suites, Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha offers a Fitness Suite complete with a foldable treadmill, a Jazz club and a redesigned lobby lounge with ergonomic workstations. hyatt-regency-oryx-doha-qatar

Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha

Andaz Doha
Located in the West Bay district, close to tourist hotspots, the long-awaited Andaz Doha brings 348 spacious accommodations, including four Royal Suites, to the city, as well as South African and Singaporean cuisines, an outdoor pool, hammam-inspired spa and the city’s only enclosed outdoor terrace offering city and sea views. hyatt-debuts-andaz-brand-in-doha

Andaz Doha

Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile
The largest Sofitel property in the world, highlights of the 615-key Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile include private balconies, sweeping Nile views, spa-like bathrooms and around-the-clock butler service for those staying in suites. worlds-largest-sofitel-in-egypt

Sofitel Cairo Downtown Nile

Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi, Egypt
At the 255-key Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi, guests can choose from sixteen accommodation types, dine alfresco on Levantine dishes, sip cocktails by the pool or unwind with a sand massage at eforea Spa. hilton-cairo-nile-maadi-egypt

Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi

Veranda Resort Phuket, Autograph Collection, Thailand
Nestled on the secluded Cape Panwa peninsula, this stunning resort offers 159 rooms, suites and pool villas, all with private terraces overlooking Ao Yon Bay. There’s also a pop-up beachfront bar and a flower-fringed pool with cosy cabanas.

Veranda Resort Phuket, Autograph Collection

Anantara Jewel Bagh, Jaipur, India
A luxuriously palatial property overlooking the ‘Pink City’, the 150-key Anantara Jewel Bagh pays homage to Rajasthani palaces with its mosaic glasswork and gold leafing, and comes with two pools, two restaurants and a spa offering Ayurvedic therapies.
anantara-jewel-bagh-jaipur-india

Anantara Jewel Bagh, India

JW Marriott Atoll Island Resort, Maldives
Just a 15-minute speedboat ride from Malé, this eco-conscious resort features 80 overwater and beachfront villas, each with a private pool, butler service and direct lagoon access.
jw-marriott-kaafu-atoll-maldives

JW Marriott Atoll Island Resort, Maldives

Forte de Gaia, Autograph Collection, Portugal
The 119-room Forte de Gaia, Autograph Collection has opened in Vila Nova de Gaia, a city known for its world-famous Port lodges, and features two wine rooms, an outdoor pool and a restaurant with a terrace facing the Douro river. forte-de-gaia-autograph

Forte de Gaia, Autograph Collection, Portugal