Accor is expanding its Mantis brand in the Gulf region following the 2024 opening of Hawar Resort by Mantis on Bahrain’s UNESCO-listed Hawar Island.
The group has confirmed plans to launch new Mantis properties in Saudi Arabia and the UAE in 2026, as part of its wider focus on nature-based and sustainability-led hospitality.
The expansion reflects growing demand for eco-conscious travel. Data from Virtuoso indicates that 64% of high-end travellers actively seek sustainable accommodation, while 42% are willing to pay a premium for environmentally responsible stays.
Accor’s upcoming Mantis developments are positioned to meet this demand through low-impact design and experience-led offerings.
© Hawar Resort
In the UAE, Saij Mountain Lodge by Mantis is scheduled to open in Ras Al Khaimah in Q2 2026. Located on Jebel Jais, the country’s highest mountain, the resort will comprise 70 standalone lodges built using locally sourced materials designed to blend into the surrounding landscape.
Planned guest experiences include guided hiking, beekeeping workshops, and farm-to-table dining, with a focus on encouraging engagement with the natural environment.
In Saudi Arabia, Basiqat by Mantis is expected to open in Q4 2026 in Al Uyaynah, approximately 40 minutes from Riyadh. The dual-site development will feature 218 keys, including suites, villas, desert tents, and Zad Palace Suites. Architectural design will draw on local heritage, using natural materials and earth-toned finishes.
Amenities are set to include multiple dining venues, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a hydro spa, yoga pavilion, landscaped gardens, and a heritage-inspired souk.
The resort will also incorporate a kids’ club and flexible event spaces, targeting both leisure travellers and the meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) market.
Qusai Al-Fakhri, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund, said the project establishes “a new standard for hospitality in Saudi Arabia” and supports Vision 2030 objectives to position the kingdom as a global hub for sustainable tourism.
Beyond the Gulf, Accor is also planning to open Mantis Hiddn Addo in South Africa on 1 March 2026, according to Connecting Travel. The off-grid lodge will include 12 mountain suites and two private villas set across an 800-hectare private reserve, offering panoramic views of surrounding ridges and valleys.
The timing of these developments aligns with broader growth in eco-tourism and off-grid hospitality across the region. Recent openings include Parvara in Fujairah and Nomad in Sharjah’s Kalba mountains, while Ennismore’s Our Habitas brand is set to introduce glamping caravan accommodation in Hatta in 2026.
22nd January 2026
