Kerzner International has assumed management of The Meydan Hotel, adding the iconic trackside property to its Rare Finds collection and strengthening its already substantial footprint in Dubai. The hotel, owned by Dubai Holding, is accepting reservations for an early 2026 reopening following extensive room and public area refurbishments.
The management agreement makes The Meydan Hotel the second UAE property in Kerzner’s Rare Finds portfolio, joining the desert resort Bab Al Shams, which reopened under the brand in early 2023. It also represents Kerzner’s eighth operational property in Dubai, underscoring the group’s dominant position in the emirate’s luxury hospitality landscape.
The Meydan Hotel occupies a singular position in global hospitality: it is the world’s only hotel built into the grandstand of an international horse racetrack. The property overlooks Meydan Racecourse, home of the Dubai World Cup, which carries a $12 million purse and ranks among the world’s richest horse races.
“Aligned with the city’s Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan to develop new neighbourhoods, Kerzner is pleased to take over the legendary The Meydan Hotel,” said Philippe Zuber, Chief Executive Officer of Kerzner International. “Our growth is fuelled by a deep commitment to bringing to life every destination, not just with new developments, but with our ability to infuse our innovative spirit into iconic properties.”
The property features 284 rooms and suites, described as among the largest in the city, each with private balconies offering views across the racecourse and Dubai skyline. The sweeping curves of the grandstand architecture transform guest rooms into front-row seats to world-class racing during the November-to-March Dubai Racing Carnival season.
For Dubai Holding, the management transition reflects strategic priorities around performance enhancement. Michael Heyes, Chief Financial Officer of Dubai Holding Hospitality, described the hotel as an important property within Dubai’s hospitality landscape and a gateway to a growing residential district.
“Appointing Kerzner to manage the hotel reflects our focus on performance and world-class guest experiences,” Heyes said. “Following the enhancements made to the rooms and public areas, we are preparing the property for its next phase of growth.”
The refurbishment has repositioned the hotel as a social anchor within the expanding Meydan district. New dining concepts include Farriers, an all-day Mediterranean restaurant, alongside the Saddle Bar and Tea Lounge in the Millennium Lobby. Sporting amenities extend beyond the racecourse to encompass a nine-hole golf course and the Meydan Tennis Academy, which offers both tennis and padel courts.
The hotel’s events infrastructure is substantial, with indoor and outdoor spaces capable of hosting up to 50,000 guests – a capacity that positions the property for major corporate gatherings, concerts and gala functions beyond race season.
Kerzner launched the Rare Finds brand in 2022 as a vehicle for heritage properties that celebrate local identity and authentic experiences. Unlike the ultra-luxury positioning of One&Only or the entertainment-driven Atlantis brand, Rare Finds properties are intended to honour existing character while elevating service standards.
Bab Al Shams, the original immersive desert experience in Dubai dating to 2004, established the template when it reopened under Rare Finds management following a comprehensive renovation. The approach brings Kerzner’s operational expertise, including access to cross-property guest packages and centralised marketing, without requiring wholesale repositioning.
The Meydan Hotel now benefits from Kerzner’s broader Dubai network. Guests can combine stays with the group’s other properties, including the entertainment-focused Atlantis The Palm and Atlantis The Royal, the urban resort One&Only One Za’abeel, or the wellness-oriented SIRO One Za’abeel.
Leading the property is General Manager Ziad Sleiman, who joined in 2024 to guide the hotel through its transition. The management agreement aligns with Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan, which designates Meydan as part of the emirate’s green belt development and projects significant population growth in surrounding residential communities.
For Kerzner, the addition continues an aggressive expansion trajectory. The Dubai-based group currently operates 14 One&Only resorts globally with plans to nearly double that count, while accelerating growth in newer concepts including the fitness-focused SIRO brand. Recent signings include Atlantis and One&Only developments in Jeddah and a One&Only resort and private homes in Fiji.
The Meydan Hotel’s transformation represents a proven Kerzner playbook: taking established properties with distinct identities and injecting operational rigour and commercial connectivity. For HR leaders and hospitality professionals, the integration will require careful workforce alignment to deliver on promises of elevated service while preserving the property’s sporting heritage.
Reservations are now open for stays beginning early 2026.
