Marbella Villas

TL;DR: Marbella Villas is a prestigious waterfront residential community by RAK Properties PJSC — Ras Al Khaimah's largest listed developer with AED 3 billion share capital on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange — located on Hayat Island within the 4-million-square-metre Mina Al Arab masterplan. Comprising 205 Mediterranean-inspired villas and townhouses in Phase 1 (completed January 2022, sold out) and 89 units in Phase 2 (completed Q4 2024, sold out), the gated community offers 2-5 bedroom configurations from AED 1.75 million with direct beachfront access, a residents' clubhouse, and proximity to two world-class resorts: the InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah (opened 2022, 351 rooms, Forbes Travel Guide recommended) and the Anantara Mina Al Arab Resort (opened February 2024, 174 rooms including RAK's first overwater villas). With RAK welcoming a record 1.35 million overnight visitors in 2025 and the USD 5.1 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort opening in spring 2027, Marbella Villas is positioned at the epicentre of the emirate's transformation into a world-class tourism and lifestyle destination.

The Mina Al Arab Masterplan

Marbella Villas sits within Mina Al Arab, RAK Properties' flagship master-planned community spanning 4 million square metres along the Ras Al Khaimah coastline with 18 kilometres of waterfront. The masterplan is organized across three distinct districts:

Raha Island — Envisioned as the primary address for luxury island living, Raha Island will include high-end hotels, branded residences, marinas, beach clubs, wellness centres, and retail destinations. The upcoming Mirasol development (339 resort-style residential units, handover H1 2028) anchors this district.

Hayat Island — The established residential and hospitality hub where Marbella Villas is located, spanning more than 6 million square feet with 3.5+ kilometres of coastline. Hayat Island also hosts Bay Residences (high-rise apartments), Cape Hayat, NB Collection (ultra-luxury residences), and two internationally branded resorts.

Lagoons — Featuring Flamingo Villas and other residential communities surrounded by the natural lagoon environment.

Upcoming Infrastructure: The Mina Al Arab masterplan includes a Mina Yacht Club, Mina Wharf, and Mina Boulevard — a dedicated shopping and dining destination with 137 retail outlets and 23,000 square metres of net leasable area. RAK Properties has committed an AED 5 billion development pipeline for 2025 alone, planning approximately 12 new projects delivering 2,500-3,000 additional units across the community.

A defining natural feature of Hayat Island is the vast two-million-square-metre sanctuary of protected mangroves that surrounds the community — a rare ecological asset that provides both environmental significance and a distinctive living backdrop of natural beauty.

Developer Profile: RAK Properties PJSC

RAK Properties PJSC was established in 2005 with the support of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah and is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) under the ticker RAKPROP with a share capital of AED 3 billion. Under the leadership of CEO Sameh Muhtadi, the company has established itself as the largest listed real estate developer in Ras Al Khaimah.

Financial Performance (Q1 2025): AED 370 million in revenue representing 28% year-on-year growth, AED 74 million profit before tax reflecting 64% growth, and a project backlog of AED 2.33 billion. The company's 2025 strategy targets sales doubling to AED 3 billion with plans to launch approximately 12 projects worth AED 5 billion.

Key Project Portfolio:

• Mina Al Arab — Flagship masterplanned community including Marbella Villas, Bay Residences, Cape Hayat, Gateway Residences, Flamingo Villas, NB Collection, Edge, and Mirasol
• Julphar Towers — Twin 43-storey towers (349 apartments, 468 offices/shops) in Al Nakheel, RAK
• Julphar Residence — G+23 residential tower on Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi
• Hospitality: Opened the InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah (2022) and Anantara Mina Al Arab Resort (February 2024)

Marbella Villas Phase 1

Phase 1 comprises 205 residential units including townhouses and standalone villas plus one prime 8-bedroom VIP villa, designed by Dar Al Omran architects in a Mediterranean-inspired architectural style that combines classical elegance with modern opulence and subtle Emirati/Arabic architectural elements. The total plot area spans 164,741 square metres with 67,343 square metres of built-up area.

Unit Configurations — Phase 1: | Type | Covered Area (sq ft) | |------|---------------------| | 2-bedroom villa | 2,380 – 2,530 | | 3-bedroom villa | 2,530 – 3,000 | | 4-bedroom villa | 3,300 – 4,500 | | 5-bedroom villa | ~5,400 | | 2-bedroom townhouse | 1,913 – 2,300 | | 3-bedroom townhouse | 2,300 – 3,000 | | 8-bedroom VIP villa | Premium standalone |

Construction was completed in 2020 with handovers commencing January 5, 2022. Phase 1 is fully sold out.

Marbella Villas Phase 2 (Marbella II)

Phase 2 delivers 89 additional units including only 3 beachfront properties — making direct seafront homes exceptionally rare within the community. Configurations include 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom townhouses (two-storey) and 4-bedroom standalone villas, with sizes ranging from 1,928 to 4,300 square feet.

Phase 2 reached 100% completion in Q4 2024 and is fully sold out. Phase 2 introduced additional community features including an event space and a Private Residents' Club with terraces.

Common Villa Specifications (Both Phases): All Marbella Villas feature large living and dining areas, bedrooms with built-in wardrobes and en-suite bathrooms, master bedrooms with dressing areas, modern contemporary kitchens, car porches for 1-2 vehicles, maid's rooms (and driver's rooms in larger units) with separate entrances, private gardens, laundry rooms, powder rooms, and patios. Phase 2 units additionally include balconies.

Amenities & Lifestyle

Residents' Clubhouse: The dedicated clubhouse provides separate men's and women's gymnasiums, two temperature-controlled outdoor swimming pools, waterfront sun loungers and terraces, a residents' cafe, and a lounge — creating a resort-quality social hub exclusively for Marbella Villas homeowners.

Community Amenities: Landscaped parks and playgrounds, children's play areas, running tracks and cycling paths, scenic pedestrian walkways, a waterfront promenade, seafront dining and retail outlets, direct private beach access, and 24-hour security with gated community access.

The community's Mediterranean-inspired architecture extends through the streetscape and common areas, creating a cohesive aesthetic environment that evokes the relaxed elegance of southern European coastal living while incorporating design elements appropriate to the Gulf climate and cultural context.

World-Class Hospitality: InterContinental & Anantara

InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa: Opened in 2022 and located approximately 3 minutes by car from Marbella Villas, this Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Hotel (2026) offers 351 rooms including sea-facing rooms, private pool villas, Club InterContinental suites, and family villas. Facilities include 6 restaurants and bars (including Levant & Nar for Levantine/Turkish cuisine and NoHo Bar & Grill), an infinity swimming pool, SPA InterContinental with Hammam and sauna, tennis court, and children's playground.

Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort: Opened February 22, 2024 with a grand opening attended by HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. This resort occupies a private peninsula among golden sands and natural mangroves, offering 174 guestrooms including spacious rooms, suites, traditional riads, and the emirate's first overwater villas with private plunge pools, outdoor decks, and Arabian Sea views. Six restaurants and bars include Mekong (Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese cuisine), Beach House (coastal cuisine), and Sea Breeze (all-day dining). All accommodations are sustainably built using eco-friendly materials, with care not to disturb the surrounding mangrove ecosystem.

The presence of these two internationally branded resorts adjacent to Marbella Villas provides residents with world-class dining, spa, and leisure facilities on their doorstep — a lifestyle advantage that significantly enhances both daily living and property values.

Location & Connectivity

| Destination | Distance/Time | |-------------|---------------| | RAK International Airport | 15-30 minutes | | RAK City Centre | ~20 minutes | | Dubai (city/airport) | 45-60 minutes (85 km) | | InterContinental Hotel | ~3 minutes | | Sheikh Mohammed Bin Salem Road | <10 minutes | | Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) | ~15 minutes | | Choithrams supermarket | ~4 minutes | | Sheikh Khalifa Speciality Hospital (264 beds) | Short drive | | My City Centre Al Dhait | Short drive |

RAK Tourism & the Wynn Effect

Ras Al Khaimah's tourism sector is experiencing transformative growth. The emirate welcomed a record 1.35 million overnight visitors in 2025 — a 6% year-on-year increase — alongside a 12% rise in tourism revenues. Key source market growth includes India (+14%), China (+19%), UK (+10%), and Russia (+20%). The government's 2030 target aims to exceed 3.5 million annual visitors while doubling hotel keys.

The most significant catalyst for RAK's hospitality and real estate sectors is the USD 5.1 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort, scheduled to open in spring 2027. Spanning more than 60 hectares, this landmark development will feature 1,217 rooms, 297 Enclave suites, 22 dining venues, theatre, luxury retail, and marina — projected to be the first integrated gaming resort in the MENA region. The tower topped out in Q4 2025, and construction remains on schedule. Wynn Al Marjan Island is projected to add USD 345 million in annual EBITDAR and create over 18,000 construction jobs with 2,700+ permanent employees.

This tourism transformation directly benefits Marbella Villas through enhanced rental demand from tourism-linked professionals, increased regional desirability driving capital appreciation, and the broader economic multiplier effects of Wynn's investment on the Ras Al Khaimah economy.

Investment Analysis

Capital Appreciation: RAK residential capital values jumped 12.7% year-on-year in Q4 2025, with apartment prices increasing 32% and villa prices rising 11% across the year. Mina Al Arab ranks among the top-performing coastal areas in the emirate.

Rental Yields & Market Data: | Villa Type | Annual Rent (AED) | Sale Price (AED) | |-----------|------------------|------------------| | 2-bedroom | ~94,000 | 1,750,000 – 2,290,000 | | 3-bedroom | 130,000 – 145,000 | 1,600,000 – 2,800,000 | | 4-bedroom | 310,000 – 350,000 | 3,300,000 – 7,900,000 | | 5-bedroom | ~380,000 | ~7,300,000 |

Gross rental yields across the Mina Al Arab area average approximately 6%, with emirate-wide apartment yields ranging from 5.3-11.8% depending on location.

Freehold Ownership: Foreign nationals can purchase freehold property in Mina Al Arab under RAK's designated zone regulations, overseen by RAK RERA. RAK charges no annual property tax, no income tax, and no capital gains tax. Property investments of AED 2 million or more qualify for the UAE's 10-year Golden Visa — making Marbella Villas an attractive proposition for international investors seeking both lifestyle and residency benefits.