Dubai’s First InterContinental Resort Will Open in 2026

Updated: March 12, 2025, 7:20am CDT

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Slated To Open in Early 2026
Booking InterContinental Hotels in Dubai
Final Thoughts

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IHG has announced a new InterContinental in Dubai, the brand’s first resort in the over-the-top city.

Let’s take a look at this upcoming luxury resort.

Slated To Open in Early 2026

The InterContinental Resort Portofino, The Heart of Europe, will be located on The World Islands, an archipelago of artificial islands off the coast of Dubai.

The 466-room resort will be InterContinental’s first resort property in Dubai and its fourth hotel overall in the city. All rooms will offer sea views. Amenities will include an Italian restaurant, floor-to-ceiling aquariums across six floors, a rooftop garden, and amenities for kids.

The hotel is expected to open for guests in early 2026.

United Arab Emirates Dubai — Image Credit: Olga Ozik via Pixabay

“We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with The Heart of Europe to bring our inaugural ‘InterContinental Resort’ in Dubai, marking a milestone in IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio,” said Haitham Mattar, managing director of India, Middle East, and Africa at IHG Hotels & Resorts.

Mattar went on to say that the resort would “redefine the leisure and luxury space” in Dubai.

Booking InterContinental Hotels in Dubai

As mentioned above, the luxury InterContinental brand already has a decent presence in Dubai. You’ll currently find 3 InterContinental hotels in Dubai: InterContinental Dubai – Festival City, InterContinental Dubai Marina, and InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai F.C.

All 3 are open and bookable with IHG One Rewards points. The hotels are good options while we wait for the InterContinental Resort Portofino to open in 2026.

Cash rates at the InterContinental Dubai – Festival City start at just $160 per night for dates this May. Award nights start at 29,000 IHG One Rewards points per night, making both rates a steal for the often-pricey InterContinental brand.

You’ll find rooms at the InterContinental Dubai Marina for as low as $220 a night this spring, with awards starting at 38,000 points.

Finally, InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai F.C. is offering rooms starting at an extremely reasonable $130 per night this spring. Award nights can be found at around 22,000 points per night.

Hot Tip:

Earning IHG One Rewards points is easy, as you can transfer Bilt Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards points or earn points through a welcome bonus and daily spending on any of the best cards for IHG loyalists.

Final Thoughts

Dubai has no shortage of high-end luxury hotels. However, this will be the chain’s first InterContinental resort in the city, offering an even more luxurious experience in the Emirate, which is excellent news for travelers. While we await the opening of the InterContinental Resort Portofino, check out IHG’s other InterContinental hotels in Dubai!