Vida hotel to replace Dubai Marina Yacht Club

 The iconic Dubai Marina Yacht Club is to become into a new Vida hotel under plans from its owner, Emaar Hospitality Group.

Vida Hotels and Resorts is Emaar’s new hotel brand, launched in 2015. The Manzil Downtown and Vida Downtown hotels are located near the Burj Khalifa, while a Vida hotel and serviced residences are planned in Emaar’s new residential development, The Hills.

It was revealed last autumn that Dubai Marina Yacht Club would shut in January and be demolished to make way for a new hospitality concept.

Sources told Arabian Business this week that the new hotel would be a Vida property and feature both hotel rooms and serviced apartments – although a spokesperson for Emaar said the planned scheme “was not a two-tower development”.

The spokesperson said: “Details on the hospitality operator and other aspects will be announced when they are finalised.”

The scheme has been lodged on construction website Ventures Onsite. Vida Hotels declined to provide a statement when contacted by Arabian Business.

Dubai Marina Yacht Club had become a Dubai institution over the years and was home to popular hangouts including Aquara and YOTS Sports Lounge.

Emaar told media in October: “Emaar is developing a new hospitality concept that will also feature a world-class yacht club in the current location of Dubai Marina Yacht Club in Dubai Marina.

“Work on the project is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2017. As part of this exciting new development, Dubai Marina Yacht Club will only provide marina-related services to its berth holders but from a different office in The Address Dubai Marina hotel after January 2017.

“Visitors can also enjoy all charter services as normal with the bookings to be made from the new office.

“All club-related services and the operations of lifestyle, F&B and commercial amenities at the existing facility will be discontinued from January.”