A survey revealed that 87% of homebuyers are willing to pay more for a home in a community with amenities that suit their lifestyle needs.
Amenities comparable to those found in 5-star hotels are increasingly common in new residential projects across the UAE.
While location is a key factor in property purchases worldwide, amenities are crucial, especially in advanced cities like Dubai, where residents seek villas and towers equipped with modern features that align with their lifestyle.
These amenities significantly impact buyers’ decisions and property prices in these developments.
To meet the growing demand, developers are integrating amenities into podium levels, rooftops, and dedicated floors, optimizing every available space.
“We’ve seen a rise in developers making luxurious amenities standard in nearly all new launches. A trend among developers in Dubai is to include amenities like private cinemas, gaming arenas, outdoor BBQ spots, padel courts, and other sports facilities, emphasizing health and wellness,” said Liam Chase, senior property consultant at Allsopp & Allsopp Group.
Chase also noted a growing focus on health and wellness, with more attention to gyms, studios, and meditation spaces. “Developers aim to create properties that offer a brief escape from city life,” he added.
Chase highlighted the increasing popularity of padel courts among buyers and tenants. Developers are now emphasizing the number of amenities in their projects as a primary selling point.
“It’s important to recognize that while this trend is growing, some investors still prioritize simplicity or focus solely on capitalizing on Dubai’s growth, placing less emphasis on the overall development offerings,” he explained.
“Amenities play a crucial role in influencing property buyers’ choices. Studies and surveys show that a well-planned array of amenities can be a decisive factor for buyers when selecting a property.
Properties with sought-after amenities generally experience higher demand and property values. A study by the National Association of Realtors found that 81% of buyers considered neighborhood amenities a ‘very important’ factor in their decision-making process,” said Rizwan Sajan, founder and chairman of Danube Properties.
Citing a survey, he noted that nearly 9 out of 10 homebuyers—87%—are willing to pay more for a home in a community with amenities that match their lifestyle needs.
“Families, particularly those with children, highly value amenities that support health, safety, and recreation. A Zillow report found that 62% of buyers with children prioritized access to parks and recreational facilities,” he added.
Danube Properties offers over 40 amenities in its projects, including an infinity pool, jacuzzi, aquatic gym, cricket pitch, trampoline area, wall climbing, basketball court, badminton, cabana seating, kids’ daycare with nanny service, arcade zone, table tennis room, jogging track, snooker zone, bowling center, doctor on call, a business center, and more.
“A comprehensive set of amenities can greatly enhance a property’s appeal and value, making it a crucial factor in buyers’ decisions,” he emphasized.
Sean McCauley, CEO of Devmark, told Khaleej Times that amenities play a major role in influencing property buyers’ choices, especially in markets like Dubai, where the expectation extends beyond just a home to include a lifestyle.
“With Dubai’s reputation as a top luxury tourist destination, buyers are drawn to an opulent lifestyle with residential options that resemble upscale hotels, complete with pools and concierge services. Our analysis shows that residents want homes where amenities are seamlessly integrated into their daily lives, removing the need for expensive memberships and time-consuming commutes,” he said.
As remote or flexible work becomes more common, McCauley noted that this increases the demand for homes that support a work-from-home lifestyle.
“Families also look for homes with family-friendly features like children’s play areas and proximity to schools. This arrangement allows busy professionals to work efficiently from home if they choose, while also maximizing quality time with family or engaging in leisure activities. For example, developments offering state-of-the-art fitness centers, spa facilities, and on-site dining and shopping provide a high level of convenience and luxury that appeals to discerning buyers,” he added.
Prices rise as developers add more amenities
Residences with rich amenities indeed come at a cost. Direct expenses, such as building swimming pools, resident lounges, cinemas, and golf simulators, might lead developers to raise property prices.
“Developers might need to acquire larger land plots to accommodate extensive amenities like crystal lagoons or tennis courts. There’s also the opportunity cost of not selling units in the space occupied by these amenities. For instance, the floor area dedicated to a resident’s lounge, gym, and cinema could otherwise be sold as additional units.
“The increase in costs varies greatly depending on the project’s scale and the specific amenities included. For instance, a tower with 400 units can spread the cost of amenities over more units compared to a 200-unit tower, making it challenging to provide a precise percentage,” explained Sean McCauley.
Rizwan Sajan pointed out that it’s common for developers to raise unit prices when they add new amenities.
“However, we take a different approach. We don’t increase our prices based on the amenities offered. Instead, we focus on providing added value without passing the cost on to our buyers, ensuring that you get the most for your investment.”
What amenities do buyers seek?
Devmark’s CEO Sean McCauley observed a high demand for wellness facilities like advanced gyms, tranquil yoga studios, and recreational spaces such as padel courts. Jogging trails and indoor play areas for children are also highly sought after.
“Co-working spaces, private cinemas, and communal dining areas have become essential for those who value both functionality and social interaction. Recognizing this demand, more developers now invest in projects that offer a wide range of amenities. Unique amenities differentiate developments, driving sales and increasing property values,” said McCauley.
Liam Chase of Allsopp & Allsopp Group added that property buyers primarily seek lifestyle choices when considering the amenities offered by a developer.
“Buyers often look for health and wellness-focused amenities like meditation pods, tranquil waterfront spaces for relaxation, or sports courts such as padel arenas or cricket nets. Additionally, many also look for private cinemas, restaurants connected to the tower, a spa, steam and sauna facilities, and gyms,” he said.
Chase emphasized that buyers are looking for more than traditional amenities.
“A basic pool and gym may no longer suffice to keep a building competitive in the market. The higher prices associated with enhanced amenities are likely balanced by increased property value and rental income. This added desirability will be crucial for investors, especially when new supply enters the market,” he added.
Popular amenities
Here are some of the most popular and new amenities:
Man-made beaches
Meditation pods
The healing power of crystals
Sustainability features
Indoor and outdoor gym
Nanny service
Doctor on call
Crystal garden
Curated library
Infinity pool and jacuzzi
Aquatic gym
Cricket pitch
Trampoline area
Wall climbing
Basketball, badminton, padel courts
Cabana seating
Arcade zone and table tennis room
Jogging trails
Snooker zone, bowling center
Business center
Outdoor cinema
Private theater
Yoga, wellness studio
Indoor play area for kids
Golf simulators
BBQ area
