Thailand’s Luxury Eco-Resort Banyan Tree Set to Open in AlUla

The Banyan Tree hotel brand is flying in from Thailand and landing in AlUla, Saudi Arabia’s historic travel destination that’s quickly becoming a hotspot for luxury hotels. With a philosophy for sustainability, Banyan Tree has been meticulously designed to blend in with its stunning, well-preserved surroundings, featuring sand, stone, and earth tones, low-rise structures, and thoughtfully landscaped paths. As with all Banyan Tree properties, this eco-resort will adhere to a global plastic-free pledge while adding value to the communities in which they operate.

The resort will have 82 villas, with 47 new buildings giving a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom quarters, as well as a new spa, gym, garden pavilions, swimming pools, and a number of restaurants.

While the Banyan Tree resort's formal opening date has yet to be determined, the Royal Commission for AlUla has disclosed that 15 more hospitality projects are in the pipeline for the next few months. Guests should be able to take advantage of AlUla's fantastic stargazing views due to the region's low light pollution, while outdoor fire pits will keep everyone warm in the desert at night.

The resort is conveniently positioned for those who want to explore Maraya, the world's largest mirrored structure. The building, which is made up of 9,740 square metres of reflecting panels, won the Popular Choice category in the architecture and glass category at the 2020 Architizer A+ Awards. Maraya has hosted major concerts by the likes of Yanni, Lionel Richie, and Andrea Bocelli, as well as events like the annual Winter At Tantora cultural festival.