Las Vegas-based gaming behemoth, Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR) recently announced that its family-oriented island destination by Meraas, Caesars Bluewaters Dubai, would open its non-gaming resorts on Bluewaters Island, a man-made mixed-use island destination located approximately 1,600 feet off the Jumeirah Beach Residence coastline, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In April this year, Marketing Chief Executive for the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce, Issam Kazim, confirmed that there was no desire to introduce casino gaming at this time and that rather than casinos, they are focused more on a themed ‘destination and experience.’

Gambling is illegal in the UAE in keeping with Islamic laws, however, alcohol is still served at restaurants and bars linked to hotels.

According to the official press release…

Cove Beach (beach club) will open to the public on Friday, November 9, 2018, to be followed by the opening of two beach front luxury resorts, The Residences at Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai and Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai on November 15, and in December the residential tower, Caesars Resort Bluewaters Dubai.

Frissora leaving company:

President and Chief Executive Officer for Caesars Entertainment, 62-year-old Mark Frissora, who on Thursday announced that he would be stepping down on February 8, 2019 after four years with the company, said…

“These resorts mark the opening of our first non-gaming resorts and demonstrates the strong demand among developers and guests to see our flagship brands brought into new global markets. In collaboration with Meraas Holdings LLC, this project is the first of several that will pair our decades-long leadership in the hospitality, entertainment and culinary spaces with trusted partners around the globe to drive expanded growth and guest satisfaction for many years to come.”

Also commenting on the openings, President of Hospitality for Caesars Entertainment, Bob Morse said…

“Bluewaters Island is a truly unique space where guests will find that our offerings are synonymous with the quality hospitality, dining, spa and entertainment experiences that have helped establish Caesars as one of the most respected and recognizable brands in the hospitality industry. These openings set the stage for Caesars to continue to expand the reach of our brands into global gateway cities.”

First Caesars resorts in Middle East:

Unveiled on February 13, 2013, Meraas Holding began construction on the $2.1 billion Bluewaters development project in May 2013.  It marks Caesars’ entrance into Dubai as a hotelier for the first time, with its first non-gaming resorts in the world and first Caesars resorts in the Middle East. The 194-guestroom Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai, which is connected to The Beach at JBR, boasts the private beach club, Cove Beach, as well as Qua Spa. Other amenities include multi-Michelin star chef Gordon Ramsay’s second HELL’S KITCHEN location along with a variety of high-end dining outlets.

(PRNewsfoto/Caesars Entertainment)

The 301-guest room Caesars Resort Bluewaters Dubai will feature entertainment on a grand scale to include legendary headliners, theatre acts, magicians and comedians. The property will also feature two outdoor pools – one adult-only and one family-friendly, access to a private beach, event space to accommodate up to 800 guests and six restaurants and bars. Included in the dining options are Bacchanal Buffet, The Piazza, The Sandbar (pool bar and grill) and Cleo’s Table, a kid’s club, as well as Caesars FORUM, which encompasses the 750sqm (8072.93 sq ft) Forum Ballroom, three meeting rooms and a state-of-the-art conference center.

For short and long-term lease, 80 contemporary, luxury one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments will be offered at The Residences at Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai. Residents there will have access to all of the dining, entertainment and leisure experiences at the adjacent Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai.

Conveniently located:

Located approximately 20 minutes from Downtown Dubai and Jumeirah Beach, Caesars Bluewaters Dubai will reportedly include the $270 million Ain Dubai, a 689-foot tall giant observation wheel, which construction began on in May 2015 and can be seen from the residences and both hotels, alongside nearly 200 retail, entertainment and dining outlets. Bluewaters is easily accessed from the mainland, as a new pedestrian bridge will take guests directly to the island from The Beach.

The opening of Caesars Bluewaters Dubai resorts is part of the company’s international growth strategy and follows its announcement earlier this year regarding plans for a groundbreaking in early 2019 on Caesars Palace Puerto Los Cabos (located on a stretch of coastline along the Sea of Cortez). The beachfront resort is being developed in partnership with Grupo Quetro, a Mexico-based construction company.

Other Dubai developments:

In addition to other projects, Caesars Entertainment Corporation is also developing an integrated resort (IR) in Incheon, South Korea, and is interested in developing an IR in Japan.

In March, MGM Hospitality, a division of MGM Resorts International, was chosen by the Dubai government-owned real estate management company Wasl Asset Management to develop and operate a 26-acre branded beachfront development. The project will mark the regional debuts of MGM brands MGM Residences and MGM Hotel alongside Dubai’s version of the MGM-owned Bellagio Las Vegas to be located on Jumeirah Beach.