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Accor, a leading name in the global hospitality industry, which manages over 5,700 hotels across more than 110 countries, has revealed the addition of the Creekside Hotel in Dubai—one of the city’s most prominent venues for hospitality and sports.
The hotel, owned by Dubai Duty Free and managed by United Hospitality Management (UHM), will initially join Accor’s network through a white-label franchise agreement and will eventually be fully renovated and integrated into the MGallery Collection.
Situated in Al Garhoud, the Creekside Hotel is adjacent to the Aviation Club, the venue for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, and is conveniently located near Dubai International Airport, Festival City Mall, the Gold Souk, and historical areas like Al Fahidi (Bastakiya). The property offers stunning views of the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, combining contemporary architecture with impressive vistas and easy access to both leisure and business districts.
The hotel itself contains 292 rooms and suites with views overlooking the creek and the city skyline. It also features a rich art collection comprising 482 commissioned pieces from 52 different artists, embodying MGallery’s commitment to storytelling and cultural richness. Guests can enjoy various amenities, including two outdoor pools with a rooftop terrace, the Akaru Spa with 14 treatment rooms, sauna and steam rooms, and the Aviation Club Fitness Centre, which has a gym, indoor squash courts, and outdoor tennis and paddle courts.
As a culturally significant site in Dubai, the Creekside Hotel is renowned for hosting the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, a prestigious venue for the annual Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The white-label management arrangement ties the hotel’s legacy to Accor’s emphasis on unique experiences, narrative-driven hospitality, and local cultural engagement.
Jean-Baptiste Recher, Accor’s Chief Development Officer for Luxury Brands in the Middle East, Africa, and Türkiye, expressed pride in extending their partnership with UHM and Dubai Duty Free, stating, “We are excited about the repositioning of this landmark property. With its rich cultural and sporting heritage, we believe that aligning it with Accor’s storytelling-focused hospitality brand is the ideal way to honor its legacy.”
Xavier Grange, Global Chief Development Officer for Sofitel, Emblems, and MGallery, highlighted that the signing of this new MGallery in Dubai represents an important milestone in their international expansion strategy. He emphasized the brand’s commitment to growing MGallery through partnerships with trusted local and experienced international operators to introduce their distinctive hotels to new markets, including in the Middle East.
Klaus Assmann, COO of United Hospitality Management for the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia, remarked, “The Creekside Hotel is a significant aspect of Dubai’s past, and we are honored to collaborate with Dubai Duty Free and Accor on its next chapter. Reintroducing this property under Accor enhances its unique appeal and allows us to create tailored guest experiences that merge modern luxury with its strong ties to sport and culture. This partnership exemplifies the type of collaboration that drives UHM’s global growth plans.”
Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, noted that the hotel, along with the Tennis Stadium—which includes the original Irish Village bar and restaurant—has been a favorite among Dubai residents and visitors. He stated that the collaboration with UHM and Accor guarantees excellent management and a revitalized vision, promising guests an enhanced experience that echoes Dubai Duty Free’s dedication to exceptional hospitality and top-tier sporting events.
This announcement signifies a pivotal moment in UHM’s growth, strengthening its relationships with prominent global brands across Europe, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. For Dubai Duty Free, this partnership aims to ensure that the property remains a vibrant venue at the crossroads of hospitality, sports, and entertainment, solidifying its reputation as a key feature of Dubai’s lifestyle landscape.
Accor currently manages more than 85 establishments in the UAE, with renowned brands such as Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, MGallery Collection, Rixos, Swissôtel, Pullman, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, ibis Styles, and ibis.