Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is one of those rare, as yet not quite discovered corners of the world. It’s not exactly hidden, but when revealed it has the potential to become one of the best travel destinations in the world. That’s a big promise, but one that just might be delivered by the immaculate islands in the Red Sea set in waters that have seen little interruption for millennia.
Belonging to the most rarefied tier of the Ritz-Carlton portfolio — one of only nine 'Reserves' globally, Nujuma marked the brand's first entry into both the region and Saudi Arabia. The resort was recently awarded two MICHELIN Keys. Ritz-Carlton Reserves are a collection of exclusive, intimate luxury resorts in unique, secluded locations, offering a deeper, culturally immersive experience than standard Ritz-Carlton hotels, focusing on personalised service, local heritage, and natural surroundings for a truly rare escape.
At Nujuma, plastic is absent and the architecture is deliberately low-key with curved, sand-coloured buildings, almost recessive against the sea and sky. Even the name, 'Nujuma' — Arabic for “stars” — signals the tone. At night, the heavens arrive in full force, uninterrupted by light pollution and frankly humbling.
In Short:
Rare, remote, and remarkably refined. In a world of loud luxury, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve opts for a quieter note. The Red Sea's most exclusive new sanctuary is a place where the luggage disappears, the architecture recedes in to the natural landscape, and luxury is found in every breath. Nujuma delivers a seamless transition from the chaos of modern life to a state of total, curated calm.
Getting There
Despite its remoteness, the journey is straightforward. A direct flight of under two hours from Riyadh, or less than five from much of Europe, deposits guests into a world that feels entirely removed from the region’s frenetic cities.
Red Sea International Airport sets the guest expectations on arrival. It resembles a private club or a luxury hotel. Travellers are met with shaded lounges and calm efficiency. Luggage disappears - you don’t even have to collect it from the baggage carousel - and reappears later in your room.
A chauffeured drive delivers guests to Turtle Bay dock, followed by a boat journey across improbably blue water. Reclining in leather seats as land approaches feels faintly surreal, and as soon as you step onto the white sand island stillness descends and true relaxation begins.
The Guests
This is not a resort for novelty seekers or conspicuous consumption. Guests at Nujuma tend to be well-travelled and curious about Saudi Arabia’s evolving cultural and hospitality landscape. It is easy to imagine this experience replacing, and indeed eclipsing, the familiar luxury circuits of the Maldives or Seychelles. Families do come, but the prevailing mood is composed and considered: the atmosphere is adult.
The Villas
Accommodation is spread across 64 villas - with one to four bedrooms - either hovering over water or resting directly on sand. Designed to echo the natural contours of the Red Sea coastline, the structures feel organic. Interiors are calm and tactile: pale stone, washed timber, ivory linens and handmade details inspired by Saudi coastal traditions.
Sliding doors open onto generous decks with private pools, while bathrooms offer deep tubs positioned for sunset views. There are both indoor and outdoor showers. Technology is present but discreet with lighting, climate and privacy adjusted at the touch of a panel in the living room and bedrooms. Each villa also comes equipped with a telescope, a small but telling detail in a place where the night sky is a central feature.
Dining
Food at Nujuma is thoughtful and restrained, favouring quality and provenance over excess. Seafood dominates, sourced from sustainable Red Sea fisheries, paired with produce grown inland. The cooking is elegant rather than showy featuring dishes like citrus-lifted crudo, fish cooked over charcoal and spice, breads baked in clay ovens.
Sita serves Levantine-leaning all-day fare; Tabrah focuses on seafood; Jamaa caters to lighter beachside dining; and Maia, the bar, is where evenings soften. At Nujuma, the dining settings range from open-air pavilions suspended above water to low-lit lounges where lanterns sway in the warm breeze of the Red Sea. For guests inclined toward participation, cooking classes can be arranged.
The Spa
The Neyrah Spa is, quite simply, exceptional.
Adults-only and deeply tranquil, it draws on marine elements and Arabian wellness traditions with confidence. Treatments incorporate mineral-rich sea therapies, desert botanicals and regional healing rituals, delivered in candlelit rooms that feel removed from time.
Curved corridors and shaded outdoor relaxation spaces defines the experience. It’s not hard to see how this spa has been recognised internationally and collected numerous awards, despite launching less than two years ago.
What to Do (or Not Do)
Here, days unfold at a measured pace. Guests snorkel coral reefs, paddleboard across lagoons, or join curated dives often accompanied by marine biologists who provide expert guidance on the mangroves, the birds and wildlife. Stargazing sessions trace constellations once used by navigators who crossed these waters long before resorts were imaginable.
On land, there are sunrise yoga sessions, guided nature walks, cycling trails and cultural workshops rooted in western Saudi Arabia’s coastal heritage.
Why Go
Nujuma does not announce itself loudly. Its luxury is that it withholds excess and interruption. This is the Red Sea reimagined with extraordinary sensitivity. Those willing to slow down will find something increasingly scarce - a vacation with space to think and to look up at the stars without distraction.
Nujuma, a Ritz Carlton Reserve, Ummahat Islands 2-3, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
Prices from $2500 a night per villa
Book your stay here
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