Over the past year or so, AlUla has been undergoing a rapid transformation to make the historical site visitor friendly and a major tourist attraction. With all that has been happening in Al Ula, it is fast becoming one of the Middle East’s bucket-list travel hotspots.
The UNESCO listed location is hoping to re-welcome tourists from October 2020, and aims to welcome and accommodate over 2 million people annually by 2035 and to make their stay memorable and as comfortable as possible, there are plans to host luxury hotels, one of them being the Banyan Tree Resort – the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia.
So what can we expect from the resort?
Al Ula’s premiere Banyan Tree Resort, by Accor, will be an expansion of the heritage site’s Ashar Resort and will be made up of around 82 luxury villas located down the historical valley.
With a focus on preserving the nature that currently exists in Al Ula, each private villa will aesthetically fit its surroundings as its designs are set to feature sandstone shades and tented coverings as they sit against the hilly landscape. The stunning villas will also have private outdoor spaces with easy access to features such as the spa and restaurants.
Keeping true to Arab tradition, guests can expect to gaze at the starry skies around outdoor fire pits and due to the site’s lack of light pollution, the clear skies and visible stars and constellations are a major attraction.
With a strong focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly policies, the Banyan Tree Resort is doing everything it can to be plastic free as well as working harmoniously with the local community.
The site of the luxury hotel chain will be in close proximity to ancient sites and historical landmarks including the city of Hegra, which is the kingdom’s first UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Chief Executive of the Royal Commission for Al Ula, Amr Al Madani, spoke about the new sustainable luxury resort in a statement and said, “This new partnership demonstrates how Al Ula’s unique appeal as a cultural, heritage and nature destination fits with Accor’s Banyan Tree brand, which is synonymous with authentically unique experiences. We’re working with the world’s best developers and hotel operators to deliver projects that complement our cultural oasis, as well as benefiting our local community.”
The opening date of the resort is yet to be determined, but it is just one of 15 other leisure and hospitality projects that are set to emerge over the next year.
