Mandarin Oriental is set to manage an urban resort in Dubai, UAE, which is currently under development on Jumeirah Beach Road with direct access to the nearby beach.

Scheduled to open in 2017, the 200-bedroom project is owned by Dubai Real Estate Corporation (DREC) and is being developed by Wasl Hospitality – one of the subsidiaries of Wasl Asset Management Group – set up by the DREC in 2008 to oversee the growth of its real estate portfolio.

The resort will feature 12 over-the-water villas, accessible via a private bridge and each will have its own infinity edge pool and direct access to the waters of the Arabian Gulf.

The project will encompass a signature Spa at Mandarin Oriental, measuring 2,800sq m (30,140sq ft), with 12 treatment rooms. Three of these private therapy chambers will be for couples and a fourth will be a VIP suite, with its own entrance and thermal experiences. Further facilities at the spa include significant heat and water therapies, a vitality pool, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a fitness centre.

A Beach Club will provide a range of water sports. A range of nine dining venues are also available including a pier-top restaurant with dedicated docking capacity for access by private yacht guests.

The resort will also have a variety of multi-purpose function rooms, including a 525sq m (5,651sq ft) ballroom with glass walls opening onto a landscaped beachfront terrace.

Mandarin Oriental Dubai’s design will be focused around a variety of infinity edged pools leading down towards the beach front, using glass walls, shaded cabanas and exterior landscaping. The appointed interior design for the resort is Jeffrey Wilkes of DesignWilkes.

“It is vital that the hospitality market in Dubai grows in the build up to Expo 2020 and Wasl is delighted to add Mandarin Oriental, Dubai to its ever increasing portfolio of hospitality projects across the city,” said Hesham Abdullah Al Qassim, CEO of wasl Asset Management Group.

Mandarin Oriental currently operates, or has under development, 43 hotels in 25 countries – nine of which are in Asia, ten are in the Americas, 14 can be found in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. It also operates, or has under development 13 Residences at Mandarin Oriental connected to its properties.