A luxury destination

Today, the luxury traveller seeks a stay that offers more than just impeccable service and unparalleled facilities. Whether checking into a grand resort or a boutique hotel, they want a personal experience filled with unforgettable moments that have been thoughtfully curated just for them. This desire for a unique stay is understood in AlUla where a range of luxury hotels await the discerning traveller.

For desert luxury in the heart of Ashar Valley, book a tented villa at Banyan Tree AlUla. Romantic, authentic and sustainability-minded, this charming resort has been tastefully designed with numerous Arabian-inspired details to immerse the guest in the local environment. The resort’s spa is exceptional, blending Asian rituals with Saudi Arabian traditions for a holistic experience, while the famous Rock Pool – an infinity pool nestled between two sandstone cliffs – is a standout feature and unique in the region.

Also pledging to be kind to the ecosystem is Our Habitas, a beautiful hotel made from ethically-sourced organic materials that help it to integrate harmoniously into the landscape of Ashar Valley. Suited for a traveller who wishes to maintain their healthy lifestyle while on holiday, this luxury haven of 96 villas has a fitness and wellness centre, a yoga deck and a remarkable infinity pool. As well as a variety of activities designed to enhance health and wellbeing such as breathwork, meditation and hiking, Our Habitas also offers a cultural programme to ensure that every guest leaves with an understanding of the region’s fascinating history.

 

The mesmerising golden deserts and sandstone canyons of AlUla are home to a third luxurious place to stay: Shaden Resort, a stylish enclave filled with exquisite design and detail. Here, the modern touches expected by today’s luxury traveller are integrated with traditional Arabic hospitality. A highlight of Shaden Resort is Myazu, a superb modern Japanese restaurant whose Riyadh outpost recently ranked 18th in the Middle East’s prestigious 50 Best Restaurants list, the highest-placed eatery in Saudi Arabia. Open in the cooler months and closed for summer, Myazu takes Japanese cuisine to the next level with intricately presented dishes.

Augmenting AlUla’s luxury hotel scene are two further hotels opening soon – The Chedi Hegra and Dar Tantora The House Hotel. The first is an atmospheric hotel built responsibly into Hegra at the historic site of the old Hijaz Railway Hegra station, which stood on the 1,320km line built in the early 1900s to transport pilgrims to holy destinations. Steam engines from those early days can still be seen at the station today. The boutique hideaway will preserve the site’s original stone structures and respect the surrounding UNESCO-designated area. Dar Tantora in the heart of Old Town, meanwhile, is named after AlUla’s landmark sundial, or tantora. Using little electricity, the hotel instead relies on lanterns for light and natural airflow to cool rooms, thus demonstrating how sustainability is a central philosophy of the property. Like The Chedi Hegra, Dar Tantora will preserve its traditional architecture, restoring ancient mudbrick dwellings and walls for a memorably authentic stay that forges a connection between modern luxury and the heritage of AlUla.