Ramada Residences by Wyndham at Dubai Islands – a Q&A with Abhishek Jalan, CEO of Grovy Developers | News
1. What makes Ramada Residences by Wyndham at Dubai Islands such an important project for Grovy Developers?
This development will mark an important milestone for Grovy’s growth. It will be our first entry into the branded residences sector and thus represents a significant strategic evolution for the company. With 10 years of proven track record in producing residential developments throughout the UAE, this confirms our value as we team up with a leading global brand to create an island address that brings together Grovy’s expertise in space planning and smart home technologies with Wyndham’s reputation for quality operations on an international scale. It is especially meaningful to Grovy that our launch was oversubscribed and that we had Expressions of Interest recorded on-site. This confirms our confidence in both the site and concept even as global markets have changed.
2. Branded residences are becoming an increasingly important part of Dubai’s real estate landscape. What do you think is driving that demand?
The real estate scene in Dubai has seen a significant increase in interest in branded residences as a way for buyers to invest in something they can use, have access to, and feel safe about. More and more buyers today want more than just a home, they want a way to invest in themselves by purchasing a lifestyle.
Branded residences give those buyers all three variables: they receive the ability to purchase square footage, the ability to experience a certain type of living style, and the expectation of receiving the same level of service as they would at a branded hotel. The combination of the operational management of a world-class hotel brand and a residential real estate development provides buyers with the assurance of obtaining what they will gain from their development and expect from their investment. Additionally, branded residences are now available to people beyond the ultra-luxury buyer. Through our Wyndham and Ramada partnerships, we have opened up this category of properties to many more buyers and increasing the number of buyers who can access this category.
3. Why was Wyndham, and specifically the Ramada brand, the right partner for this development?
Our choice was deliberate. When we chose to enter the branded residences business, we needed a partner that would be able to connect service-oriented living to our project. Wyndham has about 8,400 hotels spread across 89 countries with expertise in global asset management and operating standards that provide purchasers with a real sense of assurance about the developer. Ramada strikes the right balance — well known internationally, widely accepted by millions of consumers, and available to purchase without sacrificing quality. Most importantly, Wyndham and our team share the same perspective on Dubai’s long-term evidence base — they were not just riding the wave, they were confident in their decision, which speaks volumes about the project and its location.
4. How do you see Dubai Islands evolving as a destination for residents, investors and visitors over the next few years?
Dubai Islands is a masterfully designed coastal area based around the Dubai 2040 Urban Masterplan. This means that the majority of new developments will come from existing local and global investors, with few new developments taking place due to other factors. Included in this will be an open beach area, a number of large recreational parks, as well as excellent transport links to the city. As the area’s cultural and recreational infrastructure develop, we believe it will draw both long-term residents and a large number of visitors. Being part of a cultural district increases its desirability as a destination. The earlier that an investment (new development) is made here; the greater potential return on investment over the development’s lifetime.
5. The project is among a select number of residences approved for short-term leasing on Dubai Islands. How significant is that for buyers and investors?
The fact that short-term leasing approval has been received is extremely important in terms of providing an increase to the property investment case. If you are an owner of a property that you do not occupy full-time, you will be able to provide the property with yield through short-term leases or through short stays that are under hotel management and are operated at the same standard as other Wyndham properties.
This means that you will have the ability to have your property operated as a hotel-grade income-generating property with the rights associated with ownership of a property. This will be a very compelling offering, particularly for many in the international investor community who view Dubai as a global hub and therefore desire to have their investment generating returns when they are not living here.
6. How are buyer expectations changing in Dubai, particularly around service, flexibility and professionally managed residences?
The demand for buyer satisfaction in Dubai has changed significantly. Buyers in Dubai, no matter where they are from, are accustomed to and expect a level of service commensurate with the level of service they have received on a global stage. Buyers now look for properties that offer concierge services, an organised maintenance solution, communal areas comparable to five-star hotels and the ability to monetise their investment when it is convenient to them. They do not want to manage this themselves. The answer is to have their residence professionally managed with a brand such as Wyndham. When a residence is operated with an internationally recognised brand, then the buyer has a consistent level of service that is guaranteed based on the brand’s standards and is assured by globally established quality assurance processes. This is a significant change in the way people value their homes when buying.
7. Grovy has been active in the UAE since 2015. How does this project reflect the next stage of the company’s growth?
Grovy has had a presence in the United Arab Emirates since 2015. This project signifies the next phase of Grovy’s development as it continues to grow.
When we first moved into the United Arab Emirates in 2015, it was important for us to establish Grovy as a company with proven delivery capabilities in the mid-market and premium sectors.
To that end, all of the projects that we’ve successfully completed in Jumeirah Village Circle (Alcove, Aria and Aura) are fully operational and demonstrate our dedication to providing quality product and service to our end users.
Recently, we launched our latest development project in Dubai Land Residential Complex (RIVO) in Q4 2025, and construction has begun and steadily progressing, and our main contractor has been mobilized to work on-site.
In addition, we have delivered more than 100 projects globally since the company was founded in India back in 1985. The project we’re doing on Dubai Islands represents what I consider to be the next chapter for our company — moving into real estate that combines hospitality with residential, establishing joint ventures with global hotel brands and raising the bar for how Grovy-developed residences will look and feel.
The progress we’ve made as a company — from delivering residential communities in Jumeirah Village Circle to having an active construction site in Dubai Land Residential Complex and now launching another branded residence at Dubai Islands — all contributes to our image as a company that continues to grow by expanding its overall size, and increasing its level of ambition and level of projects developed by Grovy. This is a natural progression.
8. What role do amenities, design and hotel-grade operations play in creating long-term value for owners?
Amenities, design and hotel-standard operations provide the foundation for maintaining value over time. A well-designed structure with quality amenities and management is much less likely to depreciate than a poorly managed premise. The presence of over 20 recreational amenities, including an aqua gym, golf simulator, outdoor theater, and heated infinity pool, not only adds to your ledger of amenities, but also creates an active, engaging living environment that will contribute toward the overall desirability of your property and increase its value. In addition, continuing to provide hotel-standard operations will hold the level of quality to be consistent and unlimited in value over a long period of time. Ongoing consistency is key in protecting and growing asset values annually. Increasingly more buyers are aware of this fact, and it is a big factor in the positioning of The Ramada Residences as a long-term investment opportunity.
9. Dubai’s property market continues to attract strong international attention. Which buyer markets are you seeing the most interest from at the moment?
Dubai continues to see rapid growth in demand for property, attracting a global audience interested in knowing where the bulk of that growth happens from. Dubai property is for sale and has been sold to many different types of buyers, and through Grovy’s history as a developer, it gives us a first-hand view of the variety of that demand. According to Primo Capital’s 2025 Dubai Property Market Report, foreign buyers now make up more than 40% of the total residential ownership in Dubai, and buyers from over 40 different nationalities are actively purchasing in Dubai’s new launch market.
Our roots as a developer come directly from the sub-continent, where we still consider both Indian and Pakistani buyers to be part of our strong, core group of buyers. The overall market which consists largely of buyers from India has 22% of all foreign buyer properties sold by 2025, making them the single largest buyer group in the market.
At the same time, there have been significant increases in demand from Europe and Eastern European countries. Based on data from the Dubai Land Department and market reports, British buyers now represent 17% of all foreign transaction activity in Dubai, which is the largest percentage that British buyers have achieved in a number of years. The abolishment of the UK’s non-domicile tax regime in April 2025 has made Dubai more attractive for British buyers. Italian buyers are now responsible for 7% of the market, and French people have completed transactions for a total of USD 436 million. Buyers from the CIS region have also become a structural part of this market, where Russian buyers have been responsible for 9% of project activity in Dubai and continue to be engaged in ultra-prime (luxury) properties.
10. Looking ahead, do you see Grovy expanding further into branded residences and hospitality-led real estate?”
Absolutely. This direction is not just a one-time initiative; it is a part of our overall strategic plan going forward. The development of branded residences with Wyndham at Dubai Islands has served as the foundation for continuing with this type of development in the long term. Hospitality-led real estate has incredible growth potential as it is aligned with buyer expectations; it increases asset performance; and most importantly, it allows us to establish relationships with some of the world’s most well-respected global operators. This success with our initial launch has only reinforced our belief that there will be additional opportunities like this available in the future. As we expand and grow in the UAE and around the world, you will see more of this from Grovy – but always with the appropriate partners in the appropriate locations, and with the same level of commitment to quality as we have demonstrated since 1985.
