The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has announced investments of over Dhs300 million in its Sharjah Collection, a group of luxury eco-retreats spread across the emirate. The portfolio aims to offer experiences rooted in wellness, heritage, and nature.
Retreats across landscapes
The seven retreats in the collection provide 154 upscale accommodation units located in a range of settings—desert dunes, coastal mangroves, mountain valleys, and heritage villages.
Highlights include Al Faya Retreat in Mleiha, converted from 1960s stone buildings into a five-room boutique desert property. In Kalba, the Kingfisher Retreat offers 40 luxury tents in a protected mangrove reserve, developed in partnership with the Environment and Protected Areas Authority.
Other destinations include Moon Retreat in Mleiha National Park, offering domes and tents with views and activities such as stargazing and yoga. Al Badayer Retreat, located in Sharjah’s red dunes, features 46 units designed in a caravanserai style.
Najd Al Meqsar and Al Rayaheen Retreat, both in Khorfakkan, offer restored heritage homes nestled in natural settings.
New Nomad project in Sharjah
Shurooq is set to launch a new addition to the collection —Nomad —in Q4 2025. The project will feature 20 solar-powered trailers in the mountain valleys of Kalba, designed to encourage digital detox and nature immersion. Measures have been taken to protect local biodiversity as part of the development.
Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of Shurooq, said:
“The retreats serve as living bridges between the visitor and the place — preserving heritage while reintroducing local identity in a contemporary form.”
He added:
“Sharjah’s natural diversity has provided fertile ground for projects that resonate with the spirit of each site. The Sharjah Collection is a strategic expression of this vision, with every retreat designed to echo its surroundings.”
Part of wider strategy
The Sharjah Collection forms part of Shurooq’s wider Dhs850 million hospitality portfolio and aligns with the emirate’s long-term vision for sustainable development. The retreats focus on low-carbon operations, eco-friendly architecture, and cultural preservation while supporting local employment and the growing global demand for slow and wellness-based travel.
According to the Global Wellness Institute, the global wellness tourism sector is projected to exceed US$1 trillion in 2025. Sharjah itself recorded an 11% rise in guest numbers in 2024, with international occupancy continuing to grow in early 2025.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
