Dubai’s first Buddha-Bar Hotel & Residences on The World Islands.
Dubai has long been the world’s playground for the extraordinarily over the top and best in the world, but its newest headline-making development might just take the biscuit as far as luxury living at sea goes. Buddha-Bar Real Estate Development, in partnership with Yieldhaüs, has unveiled the designs for the Middle East’s first-ever Buddha-Bar Hotel and Floating Residences by Buddha-Bar, set to rise on The World Islands. And we’ve got all the tea.
The project, valued at AED 3 billion and slated for completion in 2027, will merge the brand’s global DNA of music, mood, and mystique with Dubai’s flair for architectural innovation. This isn’t just a new resort, it’s a full sensory experience floating between sky and sea. Wowsers.
The Buddha-Bar Hotel
Following branded residency trends in the region, the Buddha-Bar Hotel will feature 162 luxurious rooms and suites, with an entire floor devoted to branded residences. Expect the signature aesthetic that made the brand iconic: deep reds, gold accents, chandeliers, statues, and a sultry, lounge-infused atmosphere that evokes the Far East. Guests can dine on globally-inspired Pacific Rim cuisine and enjoy curated soundscapes designed to heighten the immersive experience. The spa promises an elegant mix of traditional Eastern rituals and cutting-edge treatments, perfect for those who take their zen seriously and need some downtime from the breakneck pace of DXB city life.
A hint of what’s in store for this miraculous oceanic adventure.
The Floating Residences
Perhaps the project’s boldest innovation, the Floating Residences by Buddha-Bar will consist of 24 bespoke villas that literally drift above the Arabian Gulf. Each residence spans three levels and 4,000 square feet, accommodating up to eight guests. Think rooftop jacuzzi lounges, panoramic sea-level decks, and two underwater bedrooms with views of coral gardens, a first for Dubai and promising drool-worthy feed posts.
Epic sun loungers to make the most of the Arabian sunshine.
Interiors will exude “quiet opulence,” (because Dubai does that so well) featuring materials like veined stone, tactile woods, and maritime glass, with optional Bentley Home furnishings. These aren’t just homes for the glamorous, they’re floating works of art that move with the tide and pulse with the Buddha-Bar spirit.
The underwater bedrooms are a sea-worthy marvel.
Buddha-Bar Beach
Anchoring the experience, Buddha-Bar Beach is set to become the social heart and musical beat of The World Islands. It will gloriously transition from sunrise yoga sessions and poolside brunches to sunset DJ sets and moonlit soirées. A Mediterranean-meets-Asian escape with an infinity pool, beach cabanas, curated event lawns, and mixology-led bars. Pack your glam bikinis and shades for this spot to be seen and heard.
By day, the vibe is barefoot luxury; by night, it transforms into an atmospheric lounge where sound, light, and flavour intertwine. Guests will enjoy climate-controlled outdoor areas, direct access to coral reefs, and private floating piers that link the hotel and residences to neighbouring islands. No word on the DJ and entertainment line-ups just yet, but if they’re on brand with what we’ve seen so far, prepare for them to be spectacular.
The Visionaries Behind the Project
“This project is a convergence of our DNA — music, mood, and magic — with next-level hospitality design,” says Nabil Souhail, Vice President of Buddha-Bar International. “Guests will be transported into a new dimension of sensory luxury at a truly unique destination.”
Meanwhile Mohamad Issa, Founder of Yieldhaüs, adds, “Partnering on the launch of the first Buddha-Bar Hotel and Floating Residences represents a defining moment for experiential real estate in the region. This project transcends property, it’s living art.”
Sadly you’ll have to wait until 2027 to visit, but fortunately there’s plenty still to do in the UAE while you wait.
Projected completion: 2027. Estimated value: AED 3 billion.
