Minor Hotels is the latest hospitality group heading to Saudi Arabia.
The international hotel chain will open Anantara in Trojena in Neom as part of the megacity's snow-capped mountain district, which will be home to the first outdoor ski resort in the Gulf.
The five-star resort will be set in the Water Village, part of the Valley Cluster of Trojena.
Currently under development, the valley will be home to three developments centred on a 2.8km man-made freshwater lake. All rooms and suites at Anantara in Trojena will offer travellers lake or mountain views.
Known for creating resorts and hotels that reflect their location and blend harmoniously with nature, Anantara's latest offering will include two speciality restaurants and an all-day dining venue with a show kitchen. It will also have a rooftop majlis cafe and a high tea lounge.
An activity pavilion will allow travellers to take part in a wide range of activities including padel tennis, camel riding, horse riding and guided walks around the lake and mountain area.
The Anantara Spa will be a luxury haven with male and female wet areas and treatment rooms, plus traditional Arabian hammams and a state-of-the-art fitness centre. The hotel's infinity pool will be Instagram-worthy thanks to its mountain backdrop and views over Trojena Lake.
There will also be a stargazing deck and outdoor cinema.
Designed to cater to all travellers, the hotel will have supervised children and teenagers clubs to cater for families, and its own on-site helipad.
“Trojena redefines the understanding of year-long ultra-luxury hospitality and mountain tourism,” said Philip Gullett, executive director and region head at Trojena. "With the addition of the Anantara in our iconic Water Village, we will be elevating the travel experience for discerning guests.
“The Anantara will serve as a luxurious sanctuary along the edge of Trojena’s new lake, situated in a region that will offer the Gulf's first outdoor ski resort and where world-class sporting events, art exhibitions, concerts, and cultural festivals will be staged.”
As well as luxury hotels, the Water Village at Trojena will be home to upscale residential, hospitality and commercial experiences including many retail and dining outlets.
Located in the highest mountain range in Saudi Arabia, Trojena is part of the $500 billion megacity Neom in Tabuk, north-western Saudi Arabia.
First unveiled by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2017, the futuristic destination spans 26,000 square kilometres and when complete will be home to smart cities, trade ports, research centres, sports and entertainment venues, luxury resorts and tourist attractions.
Several other hotel groups have already announced plans to open hotels in Neom including Marriott, Four Seasons, Ennismore, Collective Retreats and GHM Hotels.
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 6 (McTominay 2', 3'; Fernandes 20', 70' pen; Lindelof 37'; James 65')
Leeds United 2 (Cooper 41'; Dallas 73')
Man of the match: Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
