There’s nothing ordinary about AlUla’s accommodation options. Tucked discreetly amongst the seemingly sentient rocks in the region’s tranquil desert canyons are a series of unique resorts designed to impress, pamper and offer authentic experiences.
BANYAN TREE ALULA
Banyan Tree AlUlA offers luxurious one-, two- and three-bedroom pool villas with neutral and natural palettes, blending seamlessly into the Ashar Valley amongst sky-high rock formations. It features a Banyan Tree Spa and a number of gourmet dining options.
HABITAS ALULA
Combining luxury living and sustainability (no single-use plastics, a carbon off-set scheme and composting facilities included), five-star Habitas sits in an ancient oasis in the Ashar Valley, surrounded by sandstone cliffs and palms and with its own oasis of an infinity pool. Its Thuraya Wellness area has a peaceful lounge with an alchemy bar displaying the local essential oils it uses, treatment rooms, a fitness centre and a scenic yoga deck. The 96 tent-styled rooms are set well apart for privacy and come with modern minimalist décor, draped romantically in organic materials, with scenic canyon views, private lounge decks, king-sized beds and indoor and outdoor showers.
SHADEN RESORT
This cinematic four-star Shaden Resort is set underneath towering rock formations which are lit up at night to stunning affect. The 121 rooms and villas (including some with a private pool) are housed in subtle stone buildings arranged in a circle around a large palm-fringed outdoor pool, with colourful bean bags and shaded day beds. The rooms mix modern and traditional decor and have a seating area inside and outside on a private desert or pool-view patio. The resort’s other facilities include a show-stopping outdoor cinema and four restaurants, including Fish Market, Holi – for Indian cuisine – and the Outback the Steakhouse.
CARAVANS BY HABITAS
Caravans by Habitas is one of AlUla’s more unexpected rest options. This collection of retro American Airstream Recreational Vehicles (RVs) are arranged around a fire pit amongst canyons and date palms. The self-contained RVs have an ensuite bathroom, air conditioning, a private outdoor deck and surround sound system. Three food trucks and a dining area with communal tables and cushioned seating complete the laid-back vibe. By the end of 2023, an additional 23 Caravans will be added to the existing inventory bringing the total to 45.
SAHARY ALULA RESORT
The 80 spacious rooms and suites in the three-star Sahary AlUla Resort are housed in a collection of low-rise chalets. Inside, Arabic touches include wooden fretwork and vaulted ceilings reminiscent of a Bedouin tent. Each room comes with tea and coffee-making facilities, a mini fridge and a TV, plus a private terrace looking out onto the cactus-strewn desert. On site is a restaurant, indoor pool and gym.
New offerings
Dar Tantora
Named after AlUla’s famous sundial, the Dar Tantora eco-hotel is soon to open on the edge of Old Town. Boutique lodgings have been created from sensitively restored mudbrick buildings to bring this ancient form of housing back to life – with a touch of luxury. Up to five rooms will be available, featuring traditional decor and minimal modern technology for an truly authentic Old AlUla experience.
Heritage Boutique Hotel, Hegra
Scheduled to open in early 2024, the new Heritage Boutique Hotel Hegra – slated to soon become a Chedi hotel – will be a completely unique boutique hotel set among the spectacular ancient Nabataean site of Hegra. The luxury 35-room hotel will occupy several existing structures, including an old railway station, Hegra Fort, and other surrounding buildings. Original structural and exterior walls, some built from mud brick, will be carefully preserved and integrated into the hotel’s modern architecture. The vast majority of the UNESCO World Heritage Site will remain untouched by construction.
BECOME AN ALULA SPECIALIST
Extensive training material is available at alulaspecialist.com, covering historic sights, accommodations, sustainability, experiences, and events. This one-stop shop for travel agents includes three training modules, a series of seven new short training videos, as well as imagery, agent perks, a directory of product suppliers and more.
