Two of the best-known luxury hotels in the Middle East are closed for restoration in October 2026: the Burj Al Arab in Dubai (reopening targeted for October 2027) and Al Bustan Palace in Muscat (reopening planned for 2028). Several others on our earlier list have changed name or management, and one has closed for good. This update checks the status of each hotel on the old 23-hotel list and keeps the ones that are operating.
| Hotel | City | Status in October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental | Abu Dhabi | Operating, Mandarin Oriental since 2020 |
| Jumeirah Al Qasr and Mina A’Salam | Dubai | Part of Madinat Jumeirah |
| Raffles Dubai | Dubai | Operating since 2007, per reports |
| W Abu Dhabi, Yas Island | Abu Dhabi | Formerly Yas Viceroy |
| Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers | Abu Dhabi | Formerly Jumeirah at Etihad Towers |
| Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri | Abu Dhabi | Welcoming guests since 2007 |
| King David Hotel | Jerusalem | Opened 1931 |
| Burj Al Arab | Dubai | Closed for restoration, reopening targeted October 2027 |
| Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel | Muscat | Closed from July 2026, reopening planned 2028 |
Hotels that are open
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
The hotel opened in 2005 as Emirates Palace under Kempinski and has been run by Mandarin Oriental since 1 January 2020. It was reportedly built for about US$3 billion and has a central patterned dome plus 114 smaller domes.
Madinat Jumeirah (Al Qasr and Mina A’Salam), Dubai
Madinat Jumeirah is a resort designed to resemble a traditional Arabian town, with 5.4 km of waterways. Mina A’Salam has 292 rooms and suites and was the first hotel finished. Al Qasr has 294 rooms and suites and is designed as a summer palace.
Raffles Dubai
Raffles opened its first Middle East property in November 2007: a pyramid-shaped five-star hotel in Wafi City, Dubai.
W Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
Our old list called this Yas Viceroy. It has been managed by W Hotels since 2019. The 499-room hotel was designed by Asymptote Architecture and sits above the Yas Marina Circuit, with a 217-meter glass and steel gridshell facade lit by 5,389 LED elements.
Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
The hotel opened in Tower 1 in 2011 as Jumeirah at Etihad Towers and became a Conrad on 1 October 2020.
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
A waterfront resort with an Arabian look, waterways and about a kilometre of private beach. It has been welcoming guests since 2007. Room counts differ by source, so confirm with the hotel.
King David Hotel, Jerusalem
The King David opened in 1931, is built of pink limestone, and is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. It is owned and operated by the Dan Hotels group.
One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai, and The Oberoi, Sahl Hasheesh
Both appear to be operating. Guest reviews from 2026 describe recent stays at each. The Oberoi’s management may be changing: a Red Sea hotel group has announced it is adding the property, with no date given. Check before booking.
Waldorf Astoria Jeddah, Qasr Al Sharq
This hotel appeared twice on our old list under two names. It is one property. Sources disagree on its opening year, so we do not give one.
Closed or being restored
The Burj Al Arab closed for an 18-month restoration announced by Jumeirah on 15 April 2026. The work covers interiors, suites, restaurants and leisure spaces, with the entry aquarium and lobby colors preserved. The published reopening target is October 2027.
Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, in Muscat stopped taking guests on 30 June 2026 for a renovation of about two years, with a reopening planned in 2028. Le Vendome Beirut, on our old list, closed in 2020 and was sold that year, so we have removed it.
Old-list hotels we could not recheck
We could not recheck these in October 2026, so confirm their status before you plan around them: Four Seasons Cairo at the First Residence, Le Gray in Beirut, Herods Vitalis Spa and Herods Boutique in Eilat, Al Areen Palace & Spa in Bahrain, Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort, and Al Maha Desert Resort in Dubai. We dropped the entry labelled “Palm Dubai” because it did not name a specific hotel.
Prices
We do not quote nightly rates, because the hotels price by date and season and publish no fixed figures. As a rule, expect a night at the top names on this list to cost far more than a typical luxury hotel in the same city, and check the hotel’s own site for current rates. Before travelling, also check your government’s current travel advice for the country.
FAQ
Is the Burj Al Arab open in 2026?
No. Jumeirah closed it in April 2026 for an 18-month restoration, with a reopening target of October 2027.
Is Al Bustan Palace in Muscat open?
Not currently. It stopped taking guests on 30 June 2026 for a renovation of about two years, with a reopening planned in 2028.
Which hotel in Abu Dhabi is run by Mandarin Oriental?
Emirates Palace, which Mandarin Oriental has operated since 1 January 2020.
What happened to Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi?
It is now the W Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, managed by W Hotels since 2019.
Do these hotels publish fixed prices?
No. Rates depend on date and room type, so check each hotel’s own booking page.
Last updated: October 2026.
