The investments of the Sharjah Hospitality Group, a subsidiary of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), have exceeded 300 million dirhams within Shurooq’s hospitality portfolio. The group offers unique experiences through seven specialized lodges, featuring 154 accommodation units strategically located in desert, coastal, heritage, and natural environments, where visitors can experience a rare harmony between the surroundings and the cultural identity of the emirate.
This initiative aligns with the steady growth in the quality of life tourism sector worldwide, which focuses on enhancing mental and physical health through activities such as meditation, walking, connecting with nature, and enjoying peaceful stays. According to reports from the Global Wellness Institute, spending in this sector is expected to exceed one trillion dollars by 2025. The slow travel sector is growing at an annual rate of about 10%, and Condé Nast Traveler magazine has identified slow travel as one of the major travel trends for 2025.
Ahmad Obaid Al Qaseer, the Executive Director of Shurooq, stated: “The unique natural diversity in Sharjah, from desert sands to eastern mountains and Gulf coastlines, provides an inspiring environment for creating hospitality projects that resonate with the characteristics of each location.”
The Al Faya Lodge offers a luxury accommodation experience in the heart of the Mleiha desert, housed in two historic buildings dating back to the 1960s, which formerly included a clinic, a store, and the first fuel pump in the country.
In Kalba, the Al Rafraf Lodge is located within a mangrove reserve managed by Shurooq in collaboration with the Environmental and Natural Reserves Authority, featuring 40 luxurious tents with sea views. Meanwhile, the Al Moon Lodge in Mleiha combines domes and tented hotel accommodations. In the heart of Al Badayer, the Al Badayer Oasis provides a unique experience that blends authentic hospitality with a spirit of adventure, showcasing 46 accommodation units that balance comfort and luxury.
The group also includes lodges that have received international attention, such as Najd Al Mqasar in Khorfakkan, situated in the historic Wadi Washi area, which features rock carvings dating back over 2,000 years. The first phase consists of seven luxurious heritage-style residential units overlooking the mountains, constructed more than a century ago.
Additionally, the Al Rayhan Lodge in Khorfakkan is among the luxury tourism projects that reflect the traditional architectural style of Emirati homes, having undergone the restoration and renovation of 19 houses in collaboration with the Sharjah Heritage Institute.
Shurooq is also preparing to launch the Rahal project in the fourth quarter of 2025, an eco-friendly lodge located amid the mountains and valleys of Kalba, near the Kalba Nature Reserve, which will feature 20 luxurious solar-powered cabins.