IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced a strategic partnership with Aldar, the UAE’s leading real estate developer, to transform six hotels on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island into a unified luxury resort under IHG’s Vignette Collection.
This repositioning project will convert the existing Yas Plaza hotels into Straylight Yas, an integrated resort featuring 1,389 rooms and suites. The development will also introduce private beach access for the first time, enhancing the island’s appeal as a premier tourism destination.
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The collaboration is part of IHG’s broader strategy to expand its footprint in the UAE and align with Abu Dhabi’s efforts to solidify its reputation as a global hub for leisure, sports, and family tourism. Yas Island, a key location for major sporting events like the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, spans 25 square kilometers and boasts world-class attractions.
In addition to the Yas Island transformation, Aldar’s Tilal Liwa hotel in the Al Dhafra region will also be rebranded under the Vignette Collection.
This luxury desert retreat, featuring 110 keys, tented villas with private pools, and world-class amenities, will open fully in Q2 2025.
Haitham Mattar, IHG’s Managing Director for India, the Middle East, and Africa, called the partnership a “game-changer,” positioning IHG as a key player in Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector while supporting the city’s economic growth through world-class hospitality.
Set to open in late 2025, Straylight Yas will offer new leisure facilities, including golf and beach villas, an open-air theatre, standalone dining venues, and direct access to Yas Links golf course. This project further strengthens IHG’s presence in the UAE, where it currently operates 33 hotels, with nine more in development.
