Find Your Oasis: Luxury Desert Resorts in Saudi Arabia

Nestled in the heart of the ancient desert landscape of AlUla in Saudi Arabia, lies a collection of luxurious desert resorts offering a truly unique and unforgettable experiences.

With its breath-taking natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and year-round sunshine, AlUla, a UNESCO Heritage Site, has become one of the world's most sought-after destinations for those seeking a luxury escape.

From its towering sandstone cliffs and red sand dunes to its ancient ruins and stunning star-filled skies, the AlUla area offers visitors a rare opportunity to disconnect from the world and immerse themselves in the serenity of the desert.

These resorts in AlUla promise visitors a blissful stay in the tranquil oasis of the Saudi Arabian desert.

Habitas, AlUla

Part of the Our Habitas group, Habitas AlUla is an award-winning luxury desert retreat. With the tagline ‘Luxury for the Soul’, the Our Habitas group aims to help guests discover themselves through unique, luxurious experiences ‘powered by music, wellness, art, adventure, food, learning and giving back.’

Located in the heart of the AlUla oasis, Habitas is designed to blend seamlessly into the national surrounds of the red and rocky landscape.

Featuring 96 luxurious guest villas, across three different tiers, each villa is thoughtfully designed to create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Every design detail of the luxury villas has been carefully considered, from the neutral colour palette of the interiors, and the pop of colour in the use of locally made throws and poufs through to the use of natural materials in the décor.

In addition to the highly appointed accommodations, Habitas AlUla offers guests an array of world class amenities and activities. Thuraya Wellness offers guests guided meditation and sound bath sessions in the grounding surrounds of the red rock valleys.

An outdoor wellness agora allows guests to practice yoga in the open air, while the relaxing lounge and oil and body scrub alchemy bar provide an area for visitors to sit, learn, relax and contemplate. Of course, the Thuraya Wellness space offers luxe spa treatments and a fitness centre.

Habitas Al Ula is committed to optimising and encouraging sustainability and conscious social responsibility. With this in mind, the talented on-site kitchen team work with fresh ingredients harvested and sourced from local farms in the community. The Habitas Al Ula restaurant, Tama (meaning ‘here and now’ in Aramaic), serves exciting and interesting culinary dishes infused with both Saudi Arabian and international flavours.

Learn more about the Habitas Al Ula by visiting ourhabitas.com/alula/

Banyan Tree, AlUla

AlUla remains a relatively authentic and untouched area in Saudi Arabia. The Banyan Tree AlUla is a luxury all-villa resort inspired by the rock formations and natural surroundings of the Ashar Valley, and is an idyllic escape described as a “tranquil sanctuary”.

Forty-seven tented villas offer guests the utmost privacy and magnificent views, each luxury villa is designed to reflect elements of traditional Arabian desert dwellings. Guests can gather around the fire pit to unwind in the incredible surroundings of the AlUla desert or take a dip in the private pool hidden in the cliffside, and overlook the desert.

Of course, you will be able to relax and recoup at The Banyan Tree Spa. Whilst foodies will discover authentic flavours in the desert destination’s two on-site restaurants.

Harrat, offers a multi-sensory Arabic dining in a chic rustic setting. Guests seeking flavours from further afield can indulge in delicious Thai cuisine at the award-winning, Saffron.

Nature and culture lovers can take advantage of the location; stroll beneath the date trees at the Heritage Oasis Trail, visit the famous Elephant Rock and stargaze beneath the dark skies. 

Discover more about Banyan Tree AlUla right here

Coming Soon:
Desert Rock Resort

Desert Rock Resort will be part of the internationally anticipated Red Sea Project.

Set to be a super or ‘hyper luxury’ resort nestled into the desert cliffs, the resort will be one of two inland destinations the Red Sea Project. Expected to open in Phase One of the project (2023) the resort will be actively eco-friendly and have sustainability at the core.

Delighted with the construction progress we've made in the inner depths of #DesertRockResort, where we're building a 60-key hyper-luxury, eco-friendly hotel that's fully integrated into the rock. It's one of two inland resorts opening as part of phase 1 of @VisitRedSea. pic.twitter.com/RHdHL9yHAq

— John Pagano (@JohnPagano) January 22, 2023

Hotel aficionados can expect forty eight luxuriously appointed villas set into the cliff face, alongside just twelve state-of-the-art hotel rooms and facilities.

More to follow on this story...

Lead Image via Instagram Habitas AlUla