The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), as part of its ‘Journey Through Time’ master plan, will add to the accommodation offering in AlUla with Dar Tantora by The House Hotel. The new property promises to offer an immersive and authentic hospitality experience in AlUla Old Town. Dar Tantora will also house a pool, spa, restaurant and café.
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established by royal decree in July 2017 to preserve and develop AlUla, a region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in northwest Saudi Arabia. RCU’s long-term plan outlines a “responsible, sustainable, and sensitive” approach to urban and economic development. It aims to preserve the area’s natural and historical heritage while establishing AlUla as a desirable location to live, work, and visit.
The RCU’s plans encompass a broad range of initiatives across archaeology, tourism, culture, education, and the arts. It has also committed to meeting the economic diversification objective, local community empowerment, and heritage preservation priorities, as outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programme.
RCU is developing the 30-room landmark property by restoring several historical mud-brick buildings using a combination of contemporary engineering methods and time-honoured techniques. The development will showcase the Old Town village as a vibrant cultural hub.
The rooms will be adorned with traditional décor, furniture and artistic accents, incorporating storytelling elements that capture the area’s intangible heritage. Local artisans received specialised training to participate in the restoration work. This project reflects RCU’s comprehensive efforts to revive AlUla Old Town with tourism as the engine of development and job creation.
RCU has committed to sustainability objectives in its AlUla regeneration plans, including the Sustainability Charter that governs each project’s economic, social and environmental impacts. For delivering on this vision, AlUla Old Town was recognised by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation as a “Best Tourism Village” in 2022.
John Northen, Vice President- Head of Hotels and Resorts, Royal Commission for AlUla, said, “Dar Tantora by The House Hotel will allow guests to live the rich heritage of the AlUla Old Town historical village. Steeped in the past yet embracing progress, this hotel encapsulates RCU’s vision for a diverse range of accommodations as we continue to deliver on our plans for more than 5,000 keys by 2030.”
