Eleven MENA Stays Where the Landscape Leads the Experience
Spanning mangrove islands, mountain villages, and protected deserts, these eight retreats reflect how conservation, local design, and low-impact travel are taking shape across the region.
Hotels that whisper instead of shout. Retreats that follow the sun instead of the schedule. From island hideaways tucked into mangroves to desert lodges built of sun-baked clay, the MENA region is quietly proving that sustainable stays can be just as indulgent as the old-school kind…if you know where to look.
At these eight regional hotels and lodges, comfort isn’t imposed—it grows out of the land, the culture, and the communities that call these places home. And above all, they remind us that slowing down, treading lightly, and paying attention can be its own kind of luxury.
Adrère Amellal
📍Siwa Oasis
Probably the most iconic Egyptian eco-stay, Adrère Amellal is a near off-the-grid desert lodge built from local materials like kershef (a mix of salt rock, clay, and straw).
Rooms are lit by beeswax candles and lanterns under the desert sky, and nearly everything—from furniture to food—is made or grown locally.
This place isn’t just eco-friendly; it lives within its environment in an astonishingly poetic way.
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa
📍Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, UAE
Set deep within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Maha was one of the region’s earliest examples of conservation-led luxury.
Designed to blend into the dunes, the resort operates within a protected ecosystem where wildlife reintroduction and habitat preservation are central to the experience.
Arabian oryx and gazelles roam freely past you, and you can spend the day on a guided desert walks or a wildlife drive, both designed around the land, not over it.
Shebara Resort
📍Red Sea Coast, Saudi Arabia
Floating just off the Red Sea coast, Shebara feels futuristic yet surprisingly restrained.
Powered by renewable energy and supported by advanced water and waste-management systems, the resort’s reflective steel villas sit lightly above the water, designed to reduce environmental impact while blending into the horizon.
Part of a broader effort to protect one of the world’s most biodiverse marine environments, Shebara is where sustainability meets spectacle—without losing sight of the sea it depends on.
Kingfisher Retreat by Sharjah Collection
📍Sharjah, UAE
Accessible only by boat, Kingfisher Retreat sits on a private island within Kalba’s breathtaking protected mangroves.
Composed of tented villas that plunge you straight into the landscape, the eco-retreat keeps the infrastructure deliberately light to keep land disruption at a minimum.
This is especially important, as the entire island functions as a sanctuary for endangered species, which you can admire from a safe distance on your nature walk, while you kayak, or if you decide to take a guided ecological tour around the island.
Dana Biosphere Reserve Eco-Lodges
📍Dana, Jordan
Perched within Jordan’s largest nature reserve, Dana Biosphere Reserve Eco-Lodges offer stays that actually feel rooted in the land.
You can choose from stone guesthouses in Dana Village or solar-powered tents overlooking deep valleys, each designed to tread lightly on the environment.
Here, days are measured by hiking trails, wildlife sightings, and cultural exchanges with local communities. But perhaps this stay's true applies lies in its the lodges that let you experience one of MENA’s most diverse ecosystems without leaving a mark.
Desert Rose Eco Lodge
📍Bahariya Oasis, Egypt
Out in one of the most stunning deserts in the world, Desert Rose Eco Lodge is built from mud-brick and local stone, materials that echo the surroundings.
Thick walls regulate temperature, solar power keeps operations running, and water is carefully managed to match the needs of the desert.
Meals are crafted from local produce, and every excursion into the surrounding dunes and White Desert is guided by nearby villagers, who are more than eager to share stories over a cup of tea.
Our Habitas AlUla
📍AlUla, Saudi Arabia
In the heart of AlUla’s Ashar Valley, Our Habitas is modular, minimal, and designed to leave the sandstone landscape untouched.
Villas are thoughtfully placed, daily operations conserve water and energy, and local sourcing and waste reduction are built into every corner.
Here, privacy and stillness shape your day, with desert explorations, cultural programming, and wellness facilities keeping you busy for as long as you decide to stay.
Six Senses Zighy Bay
📍Musandam Peninsula, Oman
Set between mountains and the open sea, Six Senses Zighy Bay marries luxury with a deep sense of responsibility.
Sustainability isn’t just a design choice—it’s a way of life, from water recycling and plastic reduction to marine conservation programmes.
And for those passionate about conservation, you can visit the resort’s Earth Lab, watch coral and turtle initiatives, and see treated wastewater reused for irrigation.
Bkerzay
📍Chouf, Lebanon
Built into the mountainside, Bkerzay is more village than resort. No trees were cut, buildings rely on passive cooling and solar heating, and local artisans, farmers, and craftspeople are there to guide you through all the cultural experiences you might desire.
Meals here come from nearby farms, and once you've filled up one the freshest food you'll ever have, you can hike through the hills, join seasonal agricultural work, or take even a pottery class.
Hawar Resort by Mantis
📍Hawar Islands, Bahrain
On Bahrain’s protected Hawar Islands, this resort follows the curves of dunes and shoreline rather than imposing on them.
Low-rise structures, energy-efficient systems, and biodegradable materials ensure you don't feel even one bit guilty throughout your stay.
While access to protect wildlife is limited, you can still kayak through mangroves, watch migratory birds, or join a guided nature experience.
Desert Rock
📍Red Sea Mountains, Saudi Arabia
Carved directly into the rugged mountains of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea hinterland, Desert Rock is designed to almost disappear into its surroundings.
Rather than building on top of the landscape, the resort is embedded within it, dramatically reducing visual and environmental impact, while making you feel like you're part of the surroundings.
With natural shading, thermal insulation from the rock itself, and renewable energy systems working together, Desert Rock redefines luxury as something elemental—raw, quiet, and deeply connected to the land.
Jan 10, 2026
Jan 08, 2026
