Dubai’s World Islands Welcome Iconic Buddha-Bar Hotel & Honeymoon Island in 2025

Thursday, 8 May 2025

Dubai’s World Islands are about to get even more luxurious. The Heart of Europe, a Dh3 billion development off the coast of Dubai, is unveiling the region’s first Buddha-Bar Hotel, complete with floating villas and a dedicated Buddha-Bar Beach Honeymoon Island. Designed to appeal to both global jetsetters and regional staycationers, this unique hospitality venture blends iconic entertainment with lavish island living.

Highlights of the Project:

  • The Buddha-Bar Hotel Dubai is part of the Heart of Europe mega project on the World Islands.
  • Includes a 162-key overwater hotel, floating villas, and a Buddha-Bar Beach Honeymoon Island.
  • Set to open in 2025 as a premium destination for luxury lifestyle seekers.
  • Aimed at European tourists, UAE residents, and GCC staycationers.

Strategic Timing & Target Market

  • The hotel’s launch comes amid shifting global tourism trends.
  • With fewer Europeans opting for US travel due to global tensions, Dubai positions itself as an ideal luxury escape.
  • Kleindienst Group Chairman Josef Kleindienst emphasizes the resilience of the UAE’s local market as a buffer against fluctuating international tourism.
  • Initial focus is on European honeymooners, wellness travelers, and UAE/GCC families looking for high-end staycations.

Project Scope and Progress

  • The Heart of Europe is made up of six themed islands: St. Petersburg, Sweden, Switzerland, Floating Venice, Germany, and Main Europe.
  • 52% of construction is already complete, with a total of 20 hotels and over 4,000 keys expected.
  • By 2027, the development is projected to host up to 16,000 people at once—11,000 overnight guests and 5,000 day visitors.

Infrastructure and Accessibility

  • Getting to the World Islands has been improved through partnerships with Dubai’s RTA.
  • RTA ferries, marine access points, and partnerships with three Jumeirah Beach marinas support reliable transportation.
  • Plans are underway to include floating helipads and explore air taxi technology for future access.
  • Guests’ hotel packages will include complimentary transport to and from the islands.

Experiential Focus & Industry Vision

  • The Buddha-Bar Beach Honeymoon Island will be an all-day, all-night venue designed for unforgettable experiences.
  • Nabil Souhail of Buddha-Bar International describes it as a venue that will “raise the bar” for luxury entertainment in Dubai.
  • Dubai’s climate control infrastructure gives it an edge over traditional Mediterranean destinations, which are becoming uncomfortably hot in summer.
  • The development adapts to evolving tourist behavior—blending luxury, connectivity, and sustainability.

Future Outlook

  • Two additional mega projects by the Kleindienst Group are in the pipeline, with announcements expected soon.
  • One of them will be within the UAE, further cementing Dubai’s place as a luxury hospitality hub.
  • The Heart of Europe project also aligns with Dubai’s long-term tourism strategy by offering eco-conscious, digitally connected, and ultra-luxurious experiences.