As it becomes increasingly difficult for newly-hitched Arab couples to choose a unique honeymoon destination, Saudi Arabia has stepped up to throw its tourism hat in the ring.
Over the last couple of years, the region’s wedding season has expanded exponentially, morphing into a year-long, never-ending saga of courtship. And with so many I-dos taking place in a short amount of time, most newly-hitched couples are finding it increasingly difficult to choose a honeymoon destination that stands out from the crowd.
Considering Saudi Arabia’s skyrocketing popularity, and its dedication to establishing a prolific assortment of upscale hotels in scenic settings, the Kingdom is expected to become every honeymooner’s dream destination in the years to come.
In other words, Saudi Arabia has decided to throw its tourism hat in the ring and we think it should be on your short-list.
Here is a comprehensive list of Saudi Arabia’s sexiest hotels and resorts, set to open their gates in 2024:
The Jeddah Edition Hotel
Jeddah
As minimalistic designs have taken the architectural world by storm, becoming increasingly synonymous with opulence, it’s no surprise that the contemporary Jeddah Edition Hotel is one of most eagerly-anticipated construction projects of 2024.
Boasting around 63 equally extravagant rooms, indoor and outdoor pools that will act as a natural extension of the hotel’s breathtaking coastal surroundings, a rooftop lounge with an unparalleled view of the Red Sea and a slew of culinary and wellness activities, this up-and-coming architectural marvel will surely cater to its visitors’ every realistic and unrealistic whim.
Dar Tantora by The House Hotel
AlUla
Seamlessly interweaving the sumptuousness of modern hospitality with natural elements from its sensational cultural surroundings, AlUla’s Dar Tantoura, a boutique hotel built into existing historical buildings, promises visitors a lavish experience, infused with the Kingdom’s abundant heritage.
Constructed with the intention of maintaining the historical integrity of the space, this quaint oasis only has 30 rooms on offer, bestowing the remarkable honour of an unparalleled and secluded stay right in the heart of one of the Kingdom’s most culturally-significant sites upon a limited number of visitors.
The Autograph Collection Hotel
Sindalah
Constituting only one of the Marriott’s trio of planned projects on the pristine Sindalah Island, the Autograph Collection Hotel will surely turn all your regatta dreams into a lavish reality.
Its primary clientele consisting of the yachting fanatics among us, The Autograph Collection Hotel will boast a treasure trove of nautical activities, as well as a behemothic marina for yachts with additional offshore buoys for superyachts.
The Chedi Hegra
AlUla
Flawlessly blurring the lines between the natural and the man-made, The Chedi Hegra is set to offer eager visitors exclusive lodgings in the middle of the Nabataean UNESCO World Heritage Site site of Hegra.
Honouring Saudi Arabia’s clearly-stated sustainability initiatives, The Chedi Hegra aims to incorporate sleek, contemporary designs into the well-maintained original structures of Hegra.
Slated to open with three swanky restaurants in tow, one of which will be built into a former railway station and will even include a full-length restored train as its centrepiece, this wonder of hospitality will also feature an overhead art canopy that pays homage to the natural elements of wind and light.
Nujuma, A Ritz Carlton Reserve
Ummahat Island
Reminiscent of an uber-futuristic nirvana, Nujuma, the first Ritz Carlton Reserve in the region, aims to bring an idyllic Utopia, which has so far only existed in sci-fi films, from the silver screen to the silver sands of Ummahat.
Located on a private island in the Red Sea, Nujuma is all about promoting ecotourism and the nature-bound activities that go along with it. With a primary focus on underwater pastimes, Nujuma will not only offer visitors bountiful edutainment opportunities, it will also include a conservation centre, as well as a diving centre.
The Desert Rock Resort
The Red Sea Project
The latest brainchild of the globally-renowned Oppenheim Architecture firm, The Desert Rock Resort, flawlessly etched into the mountain itself, reimagines traditional cave dwellings, while successfully imbuing them with the ultra-modernity and grandeur Saudi Arabia is celebrated for.
Situated in a picturesque hidden valley, Desert Rock strives to work with nature instead of against it, therefore implementing several construction techniques that allow the resort to actively reduce energy consumption, while also paving the way for it to play a part in regenerating the native flora.
Four Seasons Hotel
Jeddah
Another coastal gem on the Corniche, with picturesque views of the Red Sea and bountiful amenities that ensure guests never have a dull moment, is The Four Seasons Hotel, which plans on serving up luxury - laced with comfort and community - on a 24-carat gold platter.
Its proximity to Al-Balad - a UNESCO World Heritage Site -, the nearby shopping district, and the Formula 1 street circuit, makes it one of the most distinctive hubs of hospitality in the Kingdom.
The St. Regis Red Sea Resort
Ummahat Island
Marrying the St. Regis’s staple avant-garde aesthetic with Ummahat’s stunning natural splendour, The St. Regis Red Sea Resort is a long-awaited, secluded coastal haven of both luxury and authenticity.
Predominantly focused on water-based activities, due to Ummahat’s signature beaches and bevy of coral reefs, this shining example of eco-hospitality will offer guests an immersive oceanic experience, as they partake in the sailing, windsurfing, kayaking or diving classes that form only a part of the resort’s impressive roster.
Raffles Hotel
Jeddah
Raffles Hotel’s premium location on the bustling Corniche of Jeddah and its simultaneous isolation from the surrounding cacophony renders it the perfect waterfront getaway from the ever-boisterous city around it.
An impressive towering structure, Raffles Hotel will possess an all-encompassing collection of amenities, including six restaurants and lounges, a colossal library, a lavish spa and a fully equipped fitness club.
ENVI Lodges An Nakheel
Al Ahsa Oasis
With a design that draws direct inspiration from the compelling patterns and textures of native palm trees, and construction methods that employ sustainable techniques with the utilisation of natural materials, ENVI Lodges An Nakheel is perhaps one of the Kingdom’s most uniquely-designed abodes.
Consisting of a circuit of elaborate eco-lodging pods, an enchanting arrival pavilion, farm-to-table culinary establishments, a wellness sanctuary, and much more, ENVI Lodges An Nakheel manages to seamlessly draw on the natural majesty of the Oasis it’s built in.
Four Seasons Resort
Shura Island
One of the region’s most sustainability- and affluence-oriented ventures, Four Seasons Resort on Shura Island, is being erected with the intention of solely relying on renewable energy sources for day-to-day operations, all while ensuring the reduction of the rising trend of over-tourism.
With a massive selection of beachside and underwater activities, an 18-hole golf course, a yacht marina, and fully-equipped health and wellness facilities, this resort will undoubtedly have people flocking to it from all around the world.
Regent Hotel
Jeddah
Another pioneering project that directly corresponds with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of becoming a distinguished travel destination on a global scale is the Regent Hotel, the first of its kind in the region.
Guests can expect clear, uninterrupted views of the stunning Corniche and the Formula 1 racetrack, as well as a spa by Raison d’Etre, renowned for their work on Six Senses Spa, several pools, both indoor and outdoor, and much more.
Sheybarah Resort
The Red Sea Project
The embodiment of rejuvenating seclusion and stunning views, Sheybarah Resort owes its allure to the abundant nature enveloping it. With strikingly clear waters and beaches as far as the eye can see, Sheybarah Resort’s aquatic richness is only rivalled by the neighbouring desert flora and dense mangroves.
A trailblazing example of the future of ecotourism, Sheybarah Resort endeavours to keep the unpolluted environment around it intact by using a centralised solar farm as its main source of power and a solar-powered desalination plant as the main source of water.
Successfully managing to respect and pay homage to the natural wonders around it, this resort will surely attract large masses of eco-tourists, if not for its bewitching surroundings then surely for its endless water-based activities.
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