Wynn Resorts‘ luxurious project in the UAE, Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, is confirmed to open in the first quarter of 2027, according to Donald Bremmer, Chief Operating Officer of RAK Hospitality.
Bremmer stated to Arabian Business that the development of Wynn Al Marjan Island is “perfectly on track” and has experienced “no suggestions of any delays.”
Earlier this month, Wynn Resorts was granted the UAE’s first commercial gaming operator’s license. However, the gaming regulator, General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), has not provided additional details regarding the license awarded to Wynn Resorts.
Initially budgeted at $3.9 billion, the project’s costs have increased to $5.1 billion. Wynn Al Marjan Island will be the first integrated gaming resort in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and construction has already transformed the emirate’s skyline.
The building has surpassed 90 meters in height, making it the tallest structure in Ras Al Khaimah. Work is progressing swiftly beyond the 15th floor, as the resort takes shape on its prime beachfront location.
Wynn Al Marjan Island will span 62 hectares on Al Marjan Island, featuring 1,542 rooms and suites, along with 22 exclusive Villa Estates situated along a newly designed marina. The resort will also boast a sprawling 3.6-hectare poolscape, complete with multiple swimming pools, water features, and private cabanas.
Demonstrating its long-term commitment to the region, Wynn Resorts has recently acquired an additional 70 acres of land on Al Marjan Island for future development. The company now owns all 155 acres of Island 3, where the resort is situated.
Casino accounts for 4% of total hotel space
Craig Billings, CEO of Wynn Resorts, highlighted the UAE as “the most exciting new market for our industry in decades.”
The gaming facility, which will be the first of its kind in the UAE, will occupy approximately 4 percent of the hotel’s total area, underscoring the resort’s focus on luxury hospitality and entertainment.
The development is poised to significantly boost tourism in Ras Al Khaimah, with projections indicating it will attract over 5 million visitors to the emirate by 2030. This aligns with RAK’s broader tourism strategy, which aims to triple international visitors to 3.5 million by the end of the decade.
Meanwhile, Wynn Resorts is targeting high-net-worth customers for this project. According to the company’s presentation, 9.7 million high-net-worth individuals live in the UAE, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the world’s total millionaires. This group is seen as a key customer base for the resort.
Beyond gaming, the resort will offer 22 unique dining, lounge, theater, and bar venues, along with a 15,000-square-meter shopping esplanade showcasing luxury boutiques. A five-star spa and salon will cater to wellness enthusiasts, and a 7,500-square-meter meetings and events center will accommodate conferences, conventions, and celebrations.
Construction, which began in early 2023 with UAE-based contractor ALEC Engineering and Contracting, is expected to see the full tower exceed 300 meters upon completion.
