ABU Dhabi-headquartered National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels (NCT&H) plans to develop a new 400-room five-star waterfront resort on Saadiyat Island.

The company has signed an agreement with the Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) to develop an 809,000sqft plot of land on Saadiyat Island, which lies just 500m offshore Abu Dhabi city.
The huge resort, which will be set among natural beach dunes and in an eco-environment in the Saadiyat Beach district – one of six in the masterplan for the 27sqkm island, will feature a six-storey hotel with up to 400 rooms.
“The design of the resort is progressing with the concept focussing on a tranquil resort sanctuary with beach-front restaurants and cafes and a wellness centre,” says Abdullah Al Romaithi, managing director, NCT&H.
“NCT&H has the greatest confidence in the transformation of Saadiyat into a signature destination and believes it is central to the tourism offering of Abu Dhabi for which it needs to be a part. We anticipate opening in three years.”
The new resort may be operated by an international brand and discussions with a key industry name are already under way, said Al Romaithi.