Jebel Jais Set to Open Its First Mountain Lodge by Late 2026
High up on Jebel Jais, a new nature-based hospitality project is taking shape for travelers looking beyond traditional coastal resorts. Ras Al Khaimah is preparing to open its very first mountain lodge in the area by the end of 2026, shifting how visitors experience the emirate’s highest peak.
Expanding Beyond the Coastline
The upcoming Saij Mountain Lodge by Mantis aims to anchor a growing demand for immersive travel in the emirate’s rugged terrain. Phillipa Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), outlined the project during the Ras Al Khaimah Investment and Business Summit at the RAK Exhibition Center, noting that urbanization is driving a sharp rise in the value of natural spaces.
This project feeds directly into a broader push by the emirate to double its total hotel room capacity by 2030. Harrison emphasized that the accommodation strategy isn’t just about multiplying keys, but about diversifying the types of stays available. At the opposite end of the market, Wynn Al Marjan Island is scheduled to open in September, bringing more than 1,500 rooms and suites. Harrison noted that large-scale anchors put the destination on the shortlist for travelers who haven’t previously considered it, which in turn lifts demand for surrounding properties.
Connectivity and Transport Shifts
Attracting those visitors means beefing up how people get here and move around. RAKTDA previously signed a global partnership with Emirates Airline to drive demand from key international markets, leaning heavily on Dubai’s heavy-hitting aviation hubs next door. At the same time, Ras Al Khaimah International Airport is upgrading its own infrastructure with a new VVIP terminal designed for premium travelers.
On the ground and in the air, the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority is working on futuristic mobility options, eyeing autonomous vehicle rollouts and air taxi operations supported by skyports within the next couple of years.
As these pieces lock into place, travelers can expect a radically expanded footprint across both mountain peaks and coastal islands before the decade closes.
