- Seraya has raised $1.8 million in seed funding, led by a Saudi family office and Germany’s DLL, bringing its total funding to $2.15 million.
- The Dubai-based hospitality startup has been profitable since day one, achieving an occupancy rate above 92% with a perfect 5.0 guest rating.
- The company plans to expand its portfolio to 50 premium serviced units by the end of 2025, including launches in Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Creek.
Dubai, UAE – September 1, 2025 – Seraya, the Dubai-based hospitality startup creating a new standard in premium serviced accommodation, has raised $1.8 million in seed funding, bringing its total capital raised to $2.15 million. The round was led by a Saudi family office and DLL, a German family office, with participation from strategic angel investors. The funding includes a mix of equity and debt and will support Seraya’s next phase of growth as it expands across Dubai’s growing short-term rental market.
Founded in October 2024, Seraya has been profitable from day one, operating with an average occupancy of over 92% and a perfect 5.0 guest rating. The company currently manages a growing portfolio of premium apartments in prime Dubai locations such as Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, and Dubai Marina. Seraya’s model combines the consistency of a hotel with the comfort of a home.
Unlike traditional operators, Seraya secures long-term leases of five years or more from property owners, fully renovates and furnishes each space, and manages the entire guest experience in-house. This vertically integrated model provides full control over design, operations, and quality, enabling the company to deliver a consistent product across its portfolio.
Seraya is in a phase of rapid growth, adding one new apartment to its portfolio every week. With the new funding, the company aims to expand to 50 units by the end of 2025, with upcoming launches in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Creek, and villa communities.
“Seraya is designed for the modern traveler—people seeking calm, comfort, and care while on the move,” said Pepijn Haima, Co-Founder of Seraya. “Our model gives us total control, from the materials we use to the experience we deliver. That’s how we’ve scaled profitably, and how we aim to build a global brand for premium serviced accommodation.”
“Seraya has built a distinctive, high-margin model in one of the most competitive hospitality markets in the world,” said Jakob Langen, Managing Director at DLL. “Their ability to control the full value chain, from sourcing and design to operations, gives them a strong advantage as they scale.”
Seraya delivers guest-ready apartments within just 10 days from key handover, handling renovation, furnishing, and operations entirely in-house. The company also designs and manufactures its own bespoke furniture locally, ensuring consistency across its properties and the ability to scale quickly.
Wellness is central to Seraya’s brand identity, with features such as in-apartment saunas and water filtration systems chosen to support restorative travel. This approach aligns with the fast-growing wellness travel segment, part of the $9 trillion global wellness industry.
The MENA region’s short-term rental market is expanding rapidly, with Dubai alone expected to grow from 20,000 units in 2024 to more than 30,000 units in 2025. As tourism, digital nomadism, and wellness-driven travel reshape the industry, Seraya is positioning itself to capture the premium segment.
“Dubai has been the perfect testing ground,” said Ibrahim Shami, Co-Founder of Seraya. “It’s one of the most competitive hospitality markets in the world, and we’ve shown we can stand out. With the systems, design, and operating model we’ve developed, we see strong potential for regional expansion in the near future.”
With demand rising and a deeply integrated model, Seraya is building for a future where short-term stays are designed with the same care and intention as long-term living.
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