Habitas Unveils AlUla Retreat in Saudi Arabia.

Habitas unveils its next “home” in the uncharted AlUla region in the Northwest of Saudi Arabia. Opened on November 1st, 2021, Habitas AlUla rests within an ancient oasis in the desert canyons of the Ashar Valley, surrounded by sandstone cliffs and palm groves.

The serene resort pathways lead guests up to each of the 96 guest rooms spanning three tiers, as well as to the yoga deck, wellness and fitness centers, restaurant, and swimming pool. Each space is constructed from ethically-sourced organic materials which blend seamlessly into their natural surroundings. The minimally invasive build model, along with the property’s sustainable construction methods, are the Habitas calling cards: modular-build, low impact design that delivers organic space in which meaningful experiences of all kinds can spring to life.

Habitas AlUla is an embodiment of the brand’s six programming pillars: music, wellness, adventure, culture, learning, and culinary, all of which are meticulously developed to immerse guests within the region’s authentic culture and natural environment. This is illustrated through programming that accommodates art and culture walks, canyon trekking, yoga, meditation and breathwork. Habitas will leverage its musical roots to create and curate sounds from the region’s unique talents, and showcase them for guests through the medium of a concert series.

Guests are invited to gather and expand their knowledge of this historical region with weekly outdoor cinema screenings featuring regional cultural films and documentaries in addition to open discussion lectures relating to local initiatives, culture, and history. Numerous Arts & Culture activities, like the hosted artworks of Mohammad Ahmed Ibrahim, Superflex and Nadim Karam, complement these learning experiences. This also includes a guided walk through the remains of the ancient city where the Nabateans once lived.

Located along the original pilgrimage route to Mecca and described as an open-air museum, AlUla spans 22,561 km2 of land, enveloped in both the immense beauty of the natural world and the dramatic splendour of human creation. The ancient site was a hub of trade and cultural exchange for millennia and abounds to this day with traces of those who passed through over the years. AlUla is home to thousands of burial places including +100 tombs, 94 of which remain elaborately carved at Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They stand majestically among mammoth structures carved and refined by the natural elements.

AlUla is set to welcome several new resorts in the coming months, including the extraordinary subterranean hotel, Sharaan by Jean Nouvel, in 2024, which will be sustainably carved out of the multi-million-year-old rocks.

For more information, visit ourhabitas.com/alula.

Related: Jean Nouvel’s Sharaan Resort Concept at AlUlá, Saudi Arabia Celebrates the Beauty of Past Civilisations.

Superflex’s Art Installation. Photo: Lance Gerber.

Nadim Karam’s Art Installation. Photo: Lance Gerber.

Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim’s Art Installation. Photo: Lance Gerber.

[Images courtesy of Habitas AlUla and DesertX.]