Launched in November 2021, Habitas AlUla is an immersive desert resort surrounded by sandstone cliffs and palm groves. Located in the largely uncharted AlUla region in the Northwest of Saudi Arabia, the resort nestles within the surreal canyons of the Ashar Valley oasis.
Located along the original pilgrimage route to Mecca and described as an open-air museum, AlUla spans 22,561 square kilometres. The land is enveloped in the immense desert beauty 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, which include over a hundred tombs. Of these, 94 remain elaborately carved at Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They stand majestically among mammoth structures carved and refined by the natural elements.
The Habitas resort at AlUla is a collection of stand-alone structures connected by serene pathways. These pathways lead guests up to the modular guest accommodations, yoga deck, wellness and fitness centres, restaurant, and swimming pool. Each of these spaces is constructed from organic materials which blend seamlessly into their natural surroundings.
The 96 stand-alone guest accommodations are available in three tiers – the premium Celestial Villas, Alcove Villas and Canyon Villas. All of the resort’s villas are single-storey and offer scenic canyon views, private outdoor lounge decks, king-sized beds, as well as indoor and outdoor showers. Transport between the various venues is offered via electric vehicles.
The property’s minimalist yet region-specific design and sustainability-centric construction methods are part of the Habitas hospitality brand’s DNA – modular-build, environmentally low-impact design and creating organic spaces that lead to meaningful experiences.
Habitas AlUla also embodies the brand’s six programming pillars: music, wellness, adventure, culture, learning, and culinary. These have been developed to immerse guests within the region’s authentic culture and natural environment. At AlUla, this approach is illustrated through the resort’s decor, art and culture walks, canyon trekking, yoga, meditation and breathwork. Habitas also curates sounds from the region’s unique talents, and showcase them for guests through exclusive performances.
AlUla’s on-site restaurant Tama, aptly named after the word “here” in Aramaic, is designed to be a gathering place for the resort’s guests. The food and beverage concept marries Saudi and Middle Eastern cuisine using locally sourced fresh ingredients.
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 lectures and discussions relating to local initiatives, culture, and history.
Numerous Arts and Culture activities, like the hosted artworks of Mohammad Ahmed Ibrahim, Superflex and Nadim Karam, complement these learning experiences. The experience also includes a guided walk through the remains of the ancient city where the Nabateans once lived.
Habitas AlUla is located approximately 50 minutes from AlUla International Airport, or 35 kilometres southeast of AlUla’s city centre. By car, the resort is ten hours from Riyadh, seven hours from Jeddah, and three and a half hours from Medina.
