A series of striking images has revealed the first glimpses of Saudi Arabia's soon-to-open Shebara resort — a stunning collection of stainless steel orbs hovering over the waters of the Red Sea accessible only by boat or seaplane.
The hotel's futuristic overwater orbs and beach villas are located on Sheybarah Island. The island teeters on the edge of a spectacular 40-metre coral reef drop-off, which lies relatively close to the beach, making it the ultimate spot for exploring ocean life.
Yasmin Baidas, Chief of Staff to the CEO of the resort's owner Red Sea Global, posted the pictures on LinkedIn after checking in for a "breathtaking" pre-launch stay — saying she could "hardly believe how far we've come" in the three years since the concept was revealed.
Just days after similar images were posted of the upcoming Desert Rock resort, she wrote: "Spending a pre-opening night at our breathtaking Shebara resort at The Red Sea was an incredibly emotional experience for me.
Baidas continued: "From the perfectly reflective stainless-steel orbs hovering gracefully above the turquoise waters to the restaurant merging contemporary design with nature, I can see, feel, and breathe in the reality of what was once just a vision.
"I can’t wait for guests to experience this one-of-a-kind destination when we open our doors very soon!"
The southern approach to the hotel – which is set to be the fifth major opening on the Red Sea – reveals peeks of the first stainless steel villas on the horizon, representing a string of pearls, with a stunning reception building at the centre forming the ‘pendant’.
The resort features both a family pool and an adult-only pool which includes ‘lily pad’ seating terraces offering panoramic views of the breathtaking sunset. And guests will be able to choose from two speciality restaurants. Of course, the resort also includes an indulgent spa and top-of-the-range fitness centre, tucked among the island’s sand dunes.
The furthest-away island - Thuwal Private Retreat - is available to book exclusively for private escapes. With a dedicated jetty for yacht mooring, the island will be the ideal destination for a large group or family seeking the ultimate Red Sea experience. The Thuwal Private Retreat has one four-bedroom villa alongside three, one-bedroom villas. Other perks include a private beach and barbecue area, and access to a highly trained executive chef ready to whip up guests' favourite meals.
Developed by Killa Design, the aesthetic of the resort is focused on around reflections of nature. Each space has been designed to flow with its environment, with the stainless steel villas reflecting the surface patterns of the ocean and the intense colours of the sky as they change throughout the day.
Although slated for a 2024 opening, an official opening date for Sheybarah Island has yet to be revealed, but from these latest pictures, it looks like guests can expect to be checking in very soon.
About the Red Sea Project
The Red Sea Project is a Saudi government-funded effort to develop 50 new hotels and more than 1,000 new residential units on the country’s western coastline, boosting the Kingdom’s tourism infrastructure as part of Saudi Vision 2030. Many of the hotels have been designed by star architects like Foster + Partners, and developers have committed to sustainability standards, including whole resorts powered by solar power, electric vehicles, etc.
With three hotels now open in the Red Sea Region, many local and international guests (including Cristiano Ronaldo) have already booked stays in the area. Once complete in 2030, the destination will be home to 50 resorts, with up to 8,000 hotel rooms and more than 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites. Guests will also be able to explore luxury marinas, golf courses, entertainment venues, restaurants and leisure facilities.
