The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has appointed The Lux Collective, a luxury hospitality management company headquartered in Singapore, to manage two new hospitality projects set in Sharjah’s scenic central and East Coast regions.

The announcement took place during Shurooq’s participation at the World Travel Market 2021 held in London, from November 1 – 3, at the Sharjah stand.

Present at the event were: Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, Executive Chairman of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), and Paul Jones, Chief Executive Officer of The Lux Collective.

The nature-inspired LUX* Al Jabal Resort spans a 260,000 sq m area on a spectacular terrain hill overlooking a beach in Khorfakkan, facing the stunning Arabian Sea. The resort is expected to welcome guests in March 2023 and comprises of 45 eco-friendly units and suites that open out to expansive views of aquamarine waters and a jagged mountain range, offering complete privacy.

Set adjacent to the largest conservation park in the region and the largest wildlife safari in the world outside Africa in the city of Al Dhaid in Sharjah, Sharjah Safari, the LUX* Al Bridi Resort is scheduled for a 2023 opening.

Upon completion, the project will feature 35 luxurious private tents and the LUX* Me Spa. Another key highlight of the property is the various types of animal encounters that are set in partnership between Shurooq and the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) under safe and secure measures that guarantee protection for both the guests and the animals.

Speaking about Sharjah’s growing tourism profile, Al Midfa said: “Tourism is a vital pillar of Sharjah’s economy and a central underpinning of the emirate’s sustainable development. As the global pandemic recedes, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority is keen to strengthen its connections with the global travel market and reiterate Sharjah’s wealth of attractions to consumers who are keen to commence travelling again as restrictions progressively come to an end.”

He added: “SCTDA supports the vision of our wise leadership to promote the wonders of Sharjah to as wide an audience as possible and the WTM is an essential platform for us to do this. During WTM 2021, we are in conjunction with our partners in the Sharjah delegation, we are showcasing Sharjah’s array of new and future hospitality developments, its advanced infrastructure projects, and its breathtaking natural features that all combine to create a fantastic tourist experience for every visitor.”

Al Sarkal said: “Our new partnership with The Lux Collective is in line with our vision to add a new and exciting dimensions to the luxury hospitality experience in the region, and offer the upscale, modern traveller a multitude of sophisticated experiences that not just satisfy but elevate their unique aspirations. Shurooq and The Lux Collective are bound by common values and are committed to providing the highest standards of quality to enhance guest experiences.”

Al Sarkal added: “These new hospitality offerings bolster Shurooq’s eco-luxury portfolio, and with them, we look forward to creating meaningful experiences for our guests while generating sustainable value for the communities in which we operate. Promising authentic yet world-class hospitality, the projects capture the spirit of their surrounding environments and reinforces Sharjah as the hub of responsible and sustainable development in the region.”

Jones said: “We are honoured to be trusted by Shurooq to manage these two extraordinary properties in Sharjah, the perfect showcases for LUX* Resorts & Hotels to deliver its *Lighter, Brighter hospitality concept to the United Arab Emirates whilst offering imaginative experiences to help people celebrate life.”

LUX* Al Jabal Resort

The unique setting of the LUX* Al Jabal Resort - facing a picturesque bay and nestled within deep and dramatic gorges – is reflected in its landmark architecture being developed on the slopes of the Al Soueifa mountain.

Cube-shaped accommodations are being imported by Shurooq from Finland for this project, which is made from a special variety of Finnish pine forests that comes from the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), a global initiative to promote sustainable, ecological and healthy living. that is minimally invasive for the soil and the resort’s surrounding environment. With these innovative features, Shurooq is fulfilling its commitment to sustainability while offering guests a chance to explore unique, eco-friendly architecture.

Overlooking the pristine waters of the Soueifa beach, this new resort in Khorfakkan comprises 45 eco-friendly units with choices of 1 and 2 bedrooms, of which 15 units are equipped with a private swimming pool each, and a private royal suite with a swimming pool. The accommodation – comprising of 20 units each of standard one bedroom and luxury one-bedroom and 5 two- bedroom – is located within the gently sloping beach-facing lower bay of the cove while the clubhouse and restaurant are located on the hillside and offer mesmerising sunrise and sunset views.

The spa, Royal Villa, and reception are located on natural or man-made plateaus. Various attractions around the project will be connected via walking routes and tracks to enhance privacy. LUX* Al Jabal Resort will also feature a gym and kids' play zone and offer facilities for water sports.

LUX* Al Bridi Resort

LUX* Al Bridi Resort, the newly announced five-star hospitality offering from Shurooq, occupies 784 hectares of the Sharjah Safari project, the largest wildlife safari in the world outside Africa, and offers unparalleled opportunities for observing and photographing the Big Five of Africa – the rhino, buffalo, elephant, lion, and leopard – in a natural, desert setting.

When complete, the Al Bridi Nature Reserve will be home to a wide variety of animal species including the native mountain gazelles. It will consist of two parts – a 40-hectare recreation of carefully selected African Rift Valley highlights, and a 650-hectare safari adventure. The reserve will feature the largest collection of African herbivores in the world, including some 45 sub-species of antelope.

The 35 luxurious private tents at LUX* Al Bridi Resort consist of 21 one-bedroom units, 8 two-bedroom units, and 6 three-bedroom units. A gym, spa, pool, and a Kids Club are among the other amenities guests can enjoy here.

While LUX* Al Bridi Resort will bring tourists and visitors from around to world to the heart of a wildlife adventure experience like never before in the UAE, the guests’ interaction with the animals in the nature reserve including feeding giraffes and other safe wildlife species will be guided by Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA). Shurooq and EPAA will collaborate to curate unique guest interactions with the wild.