Radisson Hotel Group has signed its first hotel at RAK Central, the emirate’s new downtown district, marking another major vote of confidence in Ras Al Khaimah’s fast-growing hospitality sector. The agreement, struck with BNW Developments, will deliver the Radisson Blu Hotel, RAK Central and Radisson Blu Residences, RAK Central — a mixed-use hospitality and residential landmark scheduled to open in 2029. For a destination already posting record visitor numbers, the deal signals that global operators see long-term value in Ras Al Khaimah well beyond its beach resorts.
What Radisson is building at RAK Central
The Radisson Blu Hotel, RAK Central will comprise 361 keys positioned above retail and cinema components, placing guests at the heart of the district’s shopping and entertainment offer. Planned facilities include five food and beverage outlets, meeting and events spaces, a spa and gym, rooftop leisure areas, a Business Class lounge and a range of family-oriented amenities.
Alongside the hotel, the Radisson Blu Residences will add serviced-living inventory aimed at longer-stay guests, expatriates and investors — a segment growing quickly as Ras Al Khaimah’s population and business base expand. The dual hotel-and-residences format mirrors a wider trend across the UAE, where operators increasingly blend hospitality with branded residential to capture both tourism and real-estate demand.
Why RAK Central matters for Ras Al Khaimah
RAK Central is being developed by Marjan in phases across an area spanning more than eight million square feet, with completion targeted by 2030. The masterplan calls for over 4,000 apartments, four hotels, and extensive office, retail and entertainment space — effectively creating a new urban heart for the emirate away from the coastline.
The Radisson signing adds a recognised international flag to that pipeline and strengthens the district’s appeal to both business and leisure travellers. It also complements the surge of investment reshaping Ras Al Khaimah, from the Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort to a major expansion of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. Together, these projects are broadening the emirate’s tourism base beyond its established mix of desert, mountain and beach experiences.
What this means for visitors and investors
For travellers, more branded rooms mean more choice, more competitive pricing and a genuine city-stay option to sit alongside the emirate’s celebrated resorts. A downtown Radisson Blu will suit visitors who want shopping, dining and cinema on the doorstep, as well as business guests attending events in the growing commercial district. Families will benefit from the dedicated amenities and the convenience of a walkable, mixed-use setting.
If you are planning a trip while the district takes shape, our guides to RAK hotels and the best things to do in Ras Al Khaimah can help you build an itinerary today. Investors and long-stay visitors, meanwhile, will be watching the Radisson Blu Residences closely as branded residential continues to gain momentum across the emirate. With openings still a few years out, RAK Central is one to keep on your radar as Ras Al Khaimah cements its place among the region’s most dynamic destinations.
A signing that fits RAK’s record tourism run
The timing is telling. Ras Al Khaimah welcomed more than 670,000 visitors in the first half of 2026, its strongest six months on record, powered by a 47 per cent jump in domestic arrivals. Hotel occupancy and average daily rates have held firm even as regional travel patterns shifted, underlining the resilience of the emirate’s tourism economy. New branded supply like the Radisson Blu at RAK Central is how the destination plans to keep pace with that demand rather than let it outstrip available rooms.
It also broadens the type of stay on offer. Ras Al Khaimah made its name with mountain adventure at Jebel Jais, heritage sites, and beachfront resorts on Al Marjan Island. A polished downtown hotel adds an urban, year-round dimension — useful in the hotter summer months when indoor shopping, dining and entertainment come into their own. For repeat visitors, it is a reason to see a different side of the emirate on the next trip.
As the district matures, expect more operators to follow Radisson’s lead. With four hotels planned at RAK Central alone, competition should keep quality high and give travellers plenty to compare when the doors open later this decade. For now, our RAK travel advice hub is the place to keep up with each new announcement.
Source: Hotelier Middle East