You Can Now Stay at This ‘Living Museum’ Hotel in Saudi’s AlUla

The Kingdom’s first 7-star hotel to open, The Chedi Hegra in AlUla is a stunning desert boutique hotel set amidst an ancient Nabataean settlement—the Kingdom’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Ensuring every detail reflects the essence of its historical location and the surrounding landscape, this exclusive stay utilizes local materials, restores existing structures, and even fills gaps in masonry with lime-based materials to preserve the integrity of the ancient stones. 

Beyond the design, every corner, couch, and curated experience serves as a reminder of the history that forms the very foundation of this lavish desert escape. 

The Restored Rooms 

With many proudly displaying original stone walls, the hotel’s 35 restored rooms, suites and villas effortlessly extend into terraces or balconies overlooking the surrounding ancient desert, the famed necropolis and majestic rock formations for which man cannot take credit.

While The Chedi Hegra prioritises nature at every turn, table and terrace, it does not forget the luxury, offering around-the-clock butler service, private plunge pools and cutting-edge technology all-around. 

The Ancient Architecture 

Imagined as a “living museum”, the hotel takes guests on an immersive artistic journey through desert-inspired gardens, an installation made with steel rails from the historic Hegra Railway, and a 700-meter-long ‘Shadow Canopy’ crafted from railway tracks.

The Well…Well…Wellness 

When it comes to healing, The Chedi Hegra looks to its historical predecessors and their magical surroundings—from a 1,200-square-meter spa and wellness center in a historic mud-brick villa to traditional treatments infused with AlUla’s natural ingredients such as dates, rosemary and moringa. 

The Comforting & the Culinary 

Housed within the former train station's eatery, Prima Classe—the hotel’s main restaurant—features a glass floor overlooking the train’s perfectly preserved maintenance area and a 1906 locomotive as the showstopping centerpiece.

Other dining destinations at The Chedi Hegra include the Fort Restaurant, built within the historic Hegra Fort, the Water Basin Restaurant, which offers unobstructed views of Hegra’s landscape, and a dedicated Saudi Coffee House, which offers educational experiences that introduce guests to the art and history of Arabic coffee. 

The Nostalgic & the Natural 

Outside the hotel’s stone walls, the enviable choice between witnessing a traditional falcon show, enjoying exclusive access to breathtaking wildlife reserves, and embarking on a Bedouin expedition awaits.