Anantara RAK

Location: Scope: Mina Al Arab, Ras Al Khaimah. UAE
Area: 13,430 m2
Completion Date: 2019 competition
Architect: Studio Seilern Architects

Following the immense success of Anantara resorts, the site at Mina Al Arab, is suited for the development of a unique boutique eco-resort.

SSA have been invited to a competition to redesign the current scheme of 343 keys, deemed too large and competing with the existing and emerging hotel market in RAK. A masterplan strategy is sought to reduce the resort to 143 keys. This is not aiming to be the largest hotel, but rather the most memorable one. An architecture befitting of the place and the ambition is therefore an impactful one. A central new main pavilion building is designed as the key feature of the site. This building creates a strong connection between the different parts of the campus, while engaging the lagoon and the water villas in a strong gesture. The landscaping of the lagoon and the improvement of its biodiversity will be a key central feature of the eco-resort. 

The Anantara Resort will be a place of rest and discovery, with an architecture that surprises and delights, different and yet rooted in its landscape. The resort site is located in the north-east side of Mina Al Arab. It is situated on the south of Ras al Khaimah. Mina Al Arab was founded in 2005 as a vision of his Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Rak Properties.

Using the concept of a building as a platform over the water, the resort is designed as a barefoot car-free resort, where overwater platforms and landscaped pathways connect the different areas of the complex. We aimed to emphasis the connectivity of the whole site and the experience of the waterfront by creating a floating platform, rather than just a building.

The front of house building organises itself as a small village of assembly of volumes, with spaces in between creating the main public areas. The various uses scatter on this large Over Water platform creating intimate spaces with framed views of the surrounding nature environment. By centralising the amenities in a main pavilion gives structure and identity to the development.

A single Bamboo roof structure reinforces and covers all public spaces, reinforcing the identity of the Anantara brand and creating a reference point for the development

A new Main Pavilion containing all front of house elements such as reception, retail, bar, all day dining, Thai specialty restaurant, spa, cinema and teenage areas becomes the centre of the development, and the anchor point to the resort.  A floating platform engages the lagoon, creates a waterfront promenade, and links the two main areas of hotel rooms.

A new arrival area directly adjacent to the waterfront is created.  The large hotel and spa buildings are replaced with a single building surrounded by open water and a rich lagoon ecosystem.  From arrival the guests will be enchanted by the natural landscape and rich fauna and flora.