It seems like every few weeks there’s news of oil-rich nations in the Middle East developing massive resorts to draw tourists to their shores.
While such attractions could definitely entice me to visit if I had the financial means, I’m afraid my budget doesn’t currently allow for it.
Qatar is the latest country in the region to unveil ambitious plans, announcing the construction of a sprawling 8.6-acre floating luxury resort off the coast of Doha in the Persian Gulf.
This project, known as The Eco-Floating Hotel, is being designed with a focus on minimal energy consumption and zero waste.
The Hayri Atak Architectural Design Studio (HAADS), responsible for the design, describes it as a five-star facility featuring 152 rooms and a concept ‘inspired by the sea’.
They mentioned: “Due to its characteristic moving feature it generates electrical energy by rotating around its position according to the water current and provides users with different perspective experiences.”
The resort is designed to slowly rotate continuously, generating electricity as it moves while staying anchored with a ‘dynamic positioning system’.
Visitors will have three options for accessing the hotel: via a pier connected to the mainland, by boat, or even by helicopter—this elite establishment is clearly targeted at the affluent.
Inside the hotel, guests will be greeted by a 7,500-square-foot reception area and lobby featuring glass floors, offering views of the underwater world below, leading to each luxurious room.
Every room will boast a spacious balcony, and with the building’s gentle rotation, guests will enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area—though not simultaneously, of course.
Among the amenities, the resort will feature a mini golf course, an indoor pool, gym, spa, and sauna, while outdoor facilities will include a basketball court and an outdoor pool.
The creators of The Eco-Floating Hotel aim to open its doors as soon as next year.
This development comes as Saudi Arabia advances its own ambitious project: a futuristic megacity designed to eliminate the need for cars, already costing the Kingdom $1.3 trillion.
Seven years ago, Saudi Arabia introduced plans for the NEOM megacity, which will operate exclusively on renewable energy and negate the need for roads, with construction already underway on The Line—a linear city along the Red Sea, stretching 170km long and 200m wide without cars.
Access within The Line will mainly be provided by a central train, transporting residents from end to end.
According to NEOM’s website, The Line is described as having “No roads, cars or emissions, it will run on 100% renewable energy and 95 percent of land will be preserved for nature.”
The Line is anticipated to be completed by 2030, whereas the full NEOM project is expected to finish by 2045.