DXB Entertainments – the parent company of Dubai Parks and Resorts – has announced its intention to expand its Lapita Hotel brand beyond the UAE, with plans to establish a collection of themed hotels, tailored to theme park and family entertainment destinations.

The Polynesian-themed Lapita Hotel, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, opened its doors to the public on 2 January this year and is located within Dubai Parks and the multi-billion dollar theme park destination.

The 504-bedroom hotel – which includes an OLA spa Boutique and features lagoon style pools, five restaurants and bars, and 2,200sq m (23,700sq ft) of meeting and event space – is designed to be child friendly and offers themed activities to engage a younger audience.

DXB wants to take this model and expand within the Middle East region initially, ultimately forming a chain of upscale themed family hotels present at prime entertainment destinations worldwide.

“The Lapita Hotel chain will be based on this business model – linking to theme parks and entertainment destinations to ensure strong demand,” said Raed Kajoor Al Nuaimi, DXB CEO.

“By combining the existing Lapita model with high level operating standards and processes, custom tailored to theme parks and family destinations – Lapita will stand alone as a new and unique brand.”

At the end of 2016, Dubai welcomed the opening of its Motiongate, Legoland and Bollywood parks, which make up the core of DXB Entertainments current operations. A fourth park – Six Flags Dubai – will open in 2019, while a yet-to-be revealed fifth park is currently in the works.