DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands vs Ellington Sands
Side by side on price, unit sizes, payment plan and handover.
Where each one wins
Drawn from the two developments' published prices, plans and handover targets.
Lower entry price
DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands starts 38% lower, at AED 1,050,000 against AED 1,700,000. Check that you are comparing like with like: the entry unit may be a different size or type.
More space for the money
On average DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands works out at about AED 2,542 per sq ft against AED 3,386 at Ellington Sands.
Sooner to complete
DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands is targeted for Q4 2027, ahead of Ellington Sands in Q4 2028. Earlier handover means earlier rent, and less time for the market to move against you.
Lighter on cash before handover
DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands asks for 60% of the price before handover; Ellington Sands asks for 70%.
Side by side
| Attribute | DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands | Ellington Sands |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | One Development | Ellington Properties |
| Location | Dubai Islands, Dubai | Dubai Islands, Dubai |
| Status | Off-plan | Under construction |
| Handover | Q4 2027 | Q4 2028 |
| Price from | AED 1,050,000 | AED 1,700,000 |
| Average AED / sq ft | 2,542 | 3,386 |
| Home types | Apartments | Apartments, duplexes, penthouses |
| Bedrooms | Studio to 3 bed | 1 to 4 bed |
| Sizes | 409 to 2,062 sq ft | 489 to 5,886 sq ft |
| Payment plan | 60/40 | 20/50/30 |
| Due before handover | 60% | 70% |
| Post-handover payments | No | No |
| Fees on entry price (est.) | AED 43,020 | AED 69,020 |
| Tenure | Freehold | Freehold |
| Golden Visa range (AED 2m+) | Yes | Yes |
| Total homes | 120 | n/a |
Developer list prices and stated targets; each development page shows when its figures were last checked.
Starting prices for the same home type
| Home type | DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands | Ellington Sands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartments | AED 1,980,000831 sq ft | AED 1,700,000489 to 816 sq ft | AED 280,000 more at DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands |
| 2-bedroom apartments | AED 3,000,0001,177 sq ft | AED 3,900,0001,172 to 1,399 sq ft | AED 900,000 more at Ellington Sands |
| 3-bedroom apartments | AED 5,500,0002,062 sq ft | AED 5,800,0001,730 sq ft | AED 300,000 more at Ellington Sands |
DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands
A hotel-managed waterfront building on Dubai Islands by One Development, created with Amr Diab. Serviced studios to three bedrooms from AED 1.05 million, with handover due in Q4 2027.
What works
- A hotel operator runs the building and the rental pool, so ownership is hands-off.
- The developer offers 5% a year as protected within its managed rental pool. Check the terms in the agreement.
- About two minutes on foot to the Dubai Islands beach and ten minutes by car to Dubai International Airport, by the developer's estimates.
What to weigh
- Prices average about AED 2,356 per sq ft, a premium over most apartment launches on Dubai Islands.
- Rental pool terms decide the return: check the guarantor, the term, the fees and the limits on owner use.
- Hotel apartments are harder to mortgage than standard homes, and fewer banks lend on them.
Ellington Sands
Two beachfront apartment buildings by Ellington on the outer edge of Dubai Islands, with a private beach and clubhouse, one-bedroom homes listed from AED 1.7 million and completion due in late 2028.
What works
- Private beach and beach clubhouse on the outer shore of Dubai Islands
- Completion listed for December 2028, earlier than several newer island launches
- Range from compact one-bedroom homes to duplexes and a penthouse
What to weigh
- Property Finder shows different starting prices for the two phases; confirm which applies
- Dubai Islands has a large pipeline of beachfront apartments due over the same years
- Dubai Islands is some distance from Downtown Dubai and the main business districts
DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands or Ellington Sands?
Which is cheaper, DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands or Ellington Sands?
DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands has the lower starting price at AED 1,050,000, compared with AED 1,700,000 at Ellington Sands. These are developer list prices for the smallest available unit type in each.
Which will be finished first?
DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands has the earlier target (Q4 2027). Off-plan handover dates are developer estimates and can slip.
How do the payment plans differ?
DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands is sold on a 60/40 plan with 60% due before handover. Ellington Sands is sold on a 20/50/30 plan with 70% due before handover.
Are DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands and Ellington Sands by the same developer?
No. DO Hotels & Residences Dubai Islands is by One Development and Ellington Sands is by Ellington Properties. Compare their delivery records on the developer pages.
Want a straight answer on which to buy?
The right choice depends on your budget, timing and what the property is for. Tell us and we'll give you a recommendation, with the reasons.
- Current price list and availability, direct from the developer
- No fee to you on off-plan purchases: the developer pays us
- One salaried adviser, not on commission, from first call to handover
