Wynn Al Marjan appoints Andrea Aguirre-Jugueta as 2027 launch nears
Wynn Al Marjan Island has appointed former Solaire Resort executive Andrea Aguirre-Jugueta as Vice President, Private Access, adding another senior hospitality leader to its growing executive team as the US$5.1 billion integrated resort progresses towards its expected 2027 opening.
Aguirre-Jugueta announced the appointment in a LinkedIn post, describing the move as the start of “a new chapter” at the under-development luxury resort in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Her appointment comes as Wynn Al Marjan Island continues to expand its leadership team, advance construction and ramp up recruitment for what will become the UAE’s first federally licensed integrated resort with regulated commercial gaming.
Solaire executive joins Wynn Al Marjan leadership
Aguirre-Jugueta spent nearly a decade at Solaire Resort & Casino in Manila, where she initially served as Director and Vice President of Retail before becoming Vice President for Strategic Partnerships. Over more than two decades in luxury hospitality, she has built experience in customer experience, strategic partnerships and premium lifestyle offerings.
She becomes the latest former Solaire executive to join Wynn Al Marjan Island, following Executive Vice President and Head of Gaming Cyrus Sherafat and former Senior Vice President of Resort Operations at Solaire Resort North Gianpietro Iseppi.
Announcing her move, Aguirre-Jugueta said: “There is something rare about a company with a vision so bold as to pioneer a destination that will redefine luxury hospitality across this part of the world.”
Describing the opportunity to join the project before its launch, Aguirre-Jugueta said, “I’ve always believed that the most meaningful work begins long before the doors open. Stepping into a project of this scale, at this stage, is both an honour and a responsibility. I embrace both.”
Focus on exclusive guest experiences
Aguirre-Jugueta will serve as Vice President, Private Access, overseeing Wynn Al Marjan Island’s exclusive guest experience programme for invited VIP guests.
According to Wynn, its Private Access programme, currently available at Wynn and Encore Las Vegas, is an invitation-only service that provides customised VIP experiences, including priority dining and entertainment reservations, personalised itinerary planning and complimentary parking.
In her LinkedIn post, Aguirre-Jugueta described Private Access as “the craft of earning trust”, adding: “It is built on discretion, judgement, and a deep understanding of what matters before it’s ever expressed. Effortless, unforgettable, almost addictive when done well. I have the privilege of helping bring this to life alongside an extraordinary group of colleagues who care as deeply about detail and intention as I do.”
Within the integrated resort sector, private access programmes typically cater to premium gaming and non-gaming customers through tailored hospitality and concierge services.
Construction enters final phase
Aguirre-Jugueta’s appointment comes as Wynn Al Marjan Island enters the final delivery phase of construction. The US$5.1 billion development is being built by Wynn Resorts, which holds a 40 per cent stake in the project, alongside Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding.
Located in Ras Al Khaimah, Wynn Al Marjan Island received the UAE’s first commercial gaming licence for an integrated resort from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in October 2024. The development is also the largest tourism project in the emirate’s history.
The resort will feature 1,530 luxury accommodations, including 1,217 guestrooms, 297 Enclave suites, two Royal Apartments, four Garden Townhomes and 10 Marina Estates. Other facilities include 22 restaurants, lounges and bars, a 900-seat theatre, a luxury spa, a beach club, a 145,000-square-foot meetings and convention centre, a retail promenade, a deep-water marina and 420 metres of private beach.
Developers said the tower structure topped out in November 2025. Structural work has been completed across all guestrooms and residences, more than 83 per cent of the exterior façade has been installed, more than 482,000 cubic metres of concrete have been poured and over 15,000 tonnes of structural steel have been erected.
Recruitment expands ahead of opening
Alongside construction, Wynn Al Marjan Island is continuing recruitment ahead of its opening. The company said Oasis, a 26-acre employee community designed to house more than 7,000 employees, is scheduled for completion in summer 2026. Wynn Bridge, a 548-metre access bridge connecting the resort to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road, is expected to open later in 2026.
Recruitment is underway for more than 3,500 food and beverage positions across the resort’s 22 dining venues, while construction has generated more than 18,000 jobs.
Analysts maintain confidence in 2027 launch
The latest executive appointment also comes as analysts continue to express confidence in the project’s long-term outlook despite geopolitical tensions in the region.
In a recent research note, brokerage Texas Capital Securities said it still expects Wynn Al Marjan Island to open during 2027, despite recent geopolitical developments affecting investor sentiment towards Wynn Resorts. Analyst David Bain noted that the integrated resort had originally been slated to open in the first quarter of 2027 before the company flagged a possible delay.
“We believe geopolitical events have likely delayed stock momentum over the last few months which would have been driven by Wynn’s UAE integrated resort casino opening originally slated for first quarter 2027,” Bain wrote.
“However, events do not impact long-term UAE financial forecasts, in our view, and we still anticipate a 2027 opening.”
Wynn Resorts said during its first-quarter earnings call in May that the opening timetable could face a “modest delay” because of regional uncertainties, including concerns surrounding tensions between the United States and Iran.
Bain added that Texas Capital Securities believes the project could ultimately deliver stronger long-term earnings and valuation for Wynn Resorts despite the current geopolitical backdrop.
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