It may sound like something out of a futuristic movie –a helicopter dropping you off at a hotel in the middle of the sea, but Dubai is nothing if not forward-thinking.

And it’s gearing up for the opening of the first-of-its-kind floating hotel, which will have a helipad, near Jumeirah beach.

Kempinski Floating Palace is expected to open in 2026, according to a report by Arabian Business.

Once it does, it will be a five-star 163-key hotel with all the expected pluses – restaurants, bars, a spa, pools, boutiques and banquet areas.

And it’ll also have a 25,000 to 30,000-square-foot floating restaurant.

The Kempinski Floating Palace will have a glass pyramid roof on the main building and yacht-parking facilities that can accommodate up to 16 yachts.