Deira Islands is set to become one of the hottest holiday spots in town now that UAE master developer Nakheel has started work on a huge project in partnership with Spanish hospitality group RIU.

Set on a 3.4 million sq ft plot, the sprawling resort will be the first all-inclusive four-star resort in Dubai.

Aside from the staggering 800 rooms it will house, the upcoming resort will boast four swimming pools, a kids’ club, a spa and fitness centre.

Dining facilities will include an all-day dining restaurant, a speciality restaurant, four beach eateries and an evening dining area with a stage for live shows and entertainment.

There will also be a huge waterpark occupying ten percent of the overall area.

Deira Islands’ new resort is in line with the government’s plans to offer a new range of affordable, family resort-style hotel accommodation in the city.

Even though future holidaymakers will have everything they need within the confines of this resort, there are other plans to transform the four man-made islands at the mouth of Deira Creek into a mini-city in itself.

These comprise a two-kilometre night souk which will consist of 5,300 stores and nearly 100 quayside cafes and restaurants.

“Nakheel’s 15.3 square kilometre waterfront destination will transform Dubai’s Deira district into a world-class hub for tourism, retail and entertainment,” a spokesperson from Nakheel was quoted as saying by Gulf News.

Nakheel is also in talks with Thai hotel giant Centara for the development of other equally impressive five-star holiday resorts on Deira Islands, including the one pictured in the rendering below.

Source: timeoutdubai.com