The countdown has begun for one of the Middle East's most consequential tourism projects. Wynn Al Marjan Island — the $5.1 billion (Dh18.7 billion) integrated resort rising off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah — has officially entered its final construction phase, with developers targeting completion and delivery before spring 2027.

When its doors open, the project will make history twice over: as the largest tourism development ever built in Ras Al Khaimah, and as the United Arab Emirates' first federally licensed resort to combine gaming with hotels, dining, entertainment, and retail under one roof.

A Landmark for the UAE

The historic turning point came on October 4, 2024, when the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) granted the country's first commercial gaming facility licence to Island 3 AMI FZ LLC, the entity operating as Wynn Al Marjan Island. The licence permits regulated land-based gaming under the UAE's new federal framework — though Wynn stresses that gaming is just one piece of a much broader luxury destination spanning hospitality, wellness, meetings, and tourism.

The project is a joint venture between Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts, which holds 40% ownership, alongside Marjan — Ras Al Khaimah's master developer — and RAK Hospitality Holding. As of March 31, 2026, Wynn Resorts had invested roughly $1.01 billion in equity toward the development.

Where It Sits

The resort occupies more than 60 hectares on Island 3 of Al Marjan Island, a man-made archipelago stretching about 4.5 kilometres into the Arabian Gulf, roughly 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport — making it one of the largest waterfront hospitality developments in the Gulf region.

What Guests Will Find

The scale of the offering is enormous. The completed resort will feature:

• 1,530 luxury accommodations — including 1,217 guestrooms, 297 Enclave suites, 2 Royal Apartments, 4 Garden Townhomes, and 10 Marina Estates

• 22 restaurants, lounges and bars — with an Alain Ducasse restaurant and Delilah already confirmed

• 12 swimming pools, a luxury spa, a beach club, and 420 metres of private white-sand beach

• A 900-seat theatre, a 15,000-square-metre retail promenade, and a 145,000-square-foot meetings and convention centre

• A deep-water marina built to host superyachts, plus the Coral Court venue for weddings and conferences

The crown jewel will be Enclave, a hotel-within-a-hotel occupying the tower's upper floors with private arrival, exclusive dining, and dedicated leisure facilities.

Construction by the Numbers

Progress on the ground underscores how close the finish line is. The resort tower topped out in November 2025, structural work is complete across all 1,530 rooms and residences, and more than 83% of the exterior façade is installed. Builders have poured over 482,000 cubic metres of concrete and erected more than 15,000 tonnes of structural steel, with thousands of interior fit-out tasks now running in parallel. The build has generated more than 18,000 jobs.

Supporting infrastructure is racing ahead too. The 548-metre Wynn Bridge, connecting the resort directly to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311) and Emirates Road (E611), is expected to open in late 2026. Oasis, a 26-acre employee community designed to house more than 7,000 staff, is slated for completion this summer — and recruitment is already underway, with over 3,500 food-and-beverage roles planned across the resort's dining venues.

Why It Matters

Beyond the superlatives, Wynn Al Marjan Island is a bet on economic transformation. The project anchors the UAE's push to diversify beyond oil and positions Ras Al Khaimah — the country's northernmost emirate — to compete with global leisure hubs like Singapore by pairing beachfront luxury and mountain adventure tourism with the region's first regulated gaming destination. With millions of international visitors expected and thousands of permanent jobs on the way, the spring 2027 debut is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched tourism launches in the Middle East.

Source: Reporting via Gulf News and developer announcements from Wynn Resorts, Marjan, and RAK Hospitality Holding.