Six years after Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Red Sea project was revealed to the world, the first of its resorts are preparing to welcome guests.
The expansive eco-tourism project will see 50 luxury resorts open across a previous untouched archipelago of more than 90 islands in the Red Sea, surrounded by the world’s fourth-largest barrier reef system.
Before the end of the year, the first two resorts will open at the long-awaited coastal destination, and bookings are now open for travellers who want to be among the first to experience this previously unexplored region.
Six Senses Southern Dunes will be the first resort to open at the Red Sea in November. Set back from the coastline, the property is designed to encourage guests to take in the vastness of the region’s mountainous landscape. There are 36 rooms and suites; a string of 40 carefully shaded private pool villas; a spa; dining venues; an open-air cinema and cooking school. Rooted firmly in wellness, The Six Senses brand promises tastefully low-key luxury, here inspired by Bedouin traditions. The resort will accept bookings from November 1, with rates starting from $1,764.
Joining it soon after will be The St Regis Red Sea Resort, which will begin welcoming guests from December. Set to open on Ummahat Islands, the resort was envisaged by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, whose aim was to create a structure that is sensitive to the island’s precious natural habitat. He opted for a ring of overwater and private beachfront villas to minimise its environmental footprint.
The St Regis resort will be home to 90 beachfront and overwater one- to four-bedroom villas, accessible by seaplane or chartered boat, each of which will have a private pool, sundeck and butler service. Making use of the open water that surrounds it and the sea that inspires it, the resort will offer sailing, windsurfing and kayaking through nearby mangrove forests. There will also be two swimming pools, a spa and five restaurants, including fine dining offerings. The resort will welcome guests from December, with room rates starting from US$1,333.
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Joining soon afterwards (although an exact date is yet-to-be announced) is Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, that shares a spot on Ummahat Islands with the St Regis. The resort is dedicated to underwater exploration with a state-of-the-art diving centre that will offer everything from deep-sea heritage diving excursions to snorkelling around the island’s outer reef. The property, one of only six Ritz-Carlton Reserves worldwide, will include 63 overwater and beachfront villas, an island-based spa and a conservation centre.
The three resorts make up the first phase of the Red Sea, alongside Red Sea International Airport, which will initially open to domestic flights to and from Riyadh and Jeddah. Jeddah-based airline Saudia has been announced as the first carrier to serve Red Sea International Airport, before it expands to welcome international flights from next year. In 2024, a further 13 resorts will open, including a Jumeirah, SLS, Raffles, Fairmont, Grand Hyatt and Intercontinental.