100% customisable travel idea
Ancient cities, desert and the Red Sea Saudi Arabia, with exceptional accommodations
Saudi Arabia - Jeddah - Al-Ula - Hejaz Desert - Red Sea
Echoes of the past, visions of the future
Standout properties
Saudi Arabia’s grand ambitions are reflected in the carefully chosen places you stay. Even in a country that aspires to become a flagship of luxury travel, these properties stand out. In Jeddah, first of all, priority has been given to contemporary standards of comfort - and the valuable advantage of being within easy reach of the airport for your onward flight to Al-Ula. In AlUla’s abandoned old town, your hotel has taken over traditional houses, meticulously restored using original materials and ancestral techniques. Spaces glow with the flicker of lanterns and candles, creating a deeply atmospheric and undeniably romantic setting. Modern comforts are never sacrificed; they appear in welcome touches such as the infinity pool, without compromising the overall harmony of the place. A real feat. In the Hejaz Desert, the property rises up like a mirage: an oasis of palm trees surrounded by futuristic tents scattered among the dunes. The interiors pay tribute to desert landscapes and the region’s Bedouin heritage through carefully chosen design details. Here, time slows down and the expansive spa invites you to linger. The highlight of the trip - if we had to choose one - is your hotel on the Red Sea, secluded on an exclusive island in the Ummahat archipelago. Whether on the beach or on the water, it's hard to imagine a more intimate setting than these villas. Moving between the lagoon, your private pool and the living spaces feels effortless. The sensation of being almost alone in the world is delicious. And when it’s time to join other guests, the dining experiences are every bit as surprising - from a Levantine feast to a gastronomic dinner, or a Japanese omakase menu.Your trip
Exploring a country that has only just opened up to tourism can be daunting even for the most adventurous travellers. That's why we take care of the logistics in advance. To give you freedom around AlUla, you have a rental car for a few days - main roads are in excellent condition and driving is generally very pleasant. We have included two guided visits in your programme to immerse you in Saudi culture and nature: the Unesco World Heritage Site of Hegra (Mada’in Saleh), and the Sharaan Nature Reserve by 4x4. Please note: it's helpful if you speak some English, although locals speak it with varying levels of fluency. Should you wish to add a hike in the Hejaz Desert, a snorkelling session in the Red Sea, or the magical experience of “Hegra After Dark” - an immersive night-time visit lit by candlelight among the ancient Nabataean tombs (November to March only) - we can, of course, arrange it. And if a sudden idea or last-minute request should arise, our local concierge is on hand at any time to advise and assist.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
You’ll have a private transfer to your accommodation, where you’ll settle in for the night. The accommodation overlooks the Red Sea Mall and the Jeddah Corniche circuit, where the Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place. Through the window, the spacious room reveals the sparkling waters of the Red Sea - a sign of what lies ahead on the journey. The Corniche, Jeddah’s true seafront, is just a few steps away, as is the airport - ideal for a departure to Al-Ula the next day.
Private transfer to the airport and flight to Al-Ula. You’ll pick up your rental car upon arrival. Then you’ll head to the old town, where you’ll settle in for two nights. More than just a stay, the hotel offers a journey back in time to north-western Saudi Arabia, to an era when the region thrived on the trade of silk, spices and incense. The immersive architectural design blends the techniques and materials of traditional houses with truly modern amenities, such as the stunning rooftop infinity pool. The wooden doors of the rooms, carved with intricate patterns, are works of art in their own right. Behind these doors, organic shapes and textures abound - from the grain of the earthen brick walls to the wooden beams of the ceilings. At nightfall, candles and lanterns, carefully lit by the staff, bathe the place in a romantic light. The restaurant, set in an outdoor courtyard, offers dishes by the Michelin-starred chef inspired by Saudi culinary traditions and cooked over a wood fire with local ingredients from the nearby oasis. The hotel also offers an original café concept: tables, sofas and beautiful woven rugs are scattered across the rooftops, where you can enjoy tea or coffee while taking in the view.
To see and do - Set at the foot of imposing rocky mountains, the old town of Al-Ula is a maze of narrow alleyways where mudbrick and stone houses stand side by side. Over the centuries, it has seen pilgrims, travellers and merchants pass through - each leaving their mark and helping to shape the city. This compact cluster of around 900 houses creates a fascinating labyrinthine town. Overlooking the old town stands Musa bin Nusayr Castle, whose origins are thought to date back to the 10th century. The view of the city and the oasis is remarkable. Our tip: visit the old town in the late afternoon. The streets come alive, the shops reopen their doors and you can do a bit of shopping before dining in one of the many restaurants along the main pedestrian street. Unless you would rather watch the sunset over Jebel Al Fil, just a few kilometres from here. The “Elephant Rock” - a 52-metre-high sandstone monolith, a remarkable illustration of the erosive power of wind and water over millions of years - takes on iridescent sunset hues at the end of the day, surrounded by mountains for a spectacular sight.
Optional - Hegra by night.
Scheduled - Sharaan Reserve by 4x4. Near Al-Ula, the Sharaan Nature Reserve reveals a breathtaking range of desert landscapes: red-tinged canyons mix with wind-carved arches, wide expanses of sand dotted with wildflowers and ravines with sheer walls. Oryx and gazelles, successfully reintroduced, roam freely here and are easy to spot from the vehicle.
Also planned - the visit to Hegra - Mada’in Saleh. North of Al-Ula, the mysterious city of Hegra is once again opening up to the world. The British poet Charles Montagu Doughty called it the “Petra of Saudi Arabia”, and it’s easy to see why. At first glance, the comparison with its Jordanian big sister is striking. Like her, Hegra thrived thanks to caravan trade in the 2nd century BC up until the Roman conquest. Today, 111 monumental tombs - 94 of them with decorated façades and miraculously preserved - bear witness to this distant past. With a guide, you’ll stop at several places on the tour: the Tomb of Lihyan, Jabal Al Banat, Jabal Ithlib and Jabal Al Ahmar - each reveals a fragment of the history of this ancient civilisation.
Drive to the Hejaz desert. Stay for two nights in a resort centred on a covered circular communal area and a small oasis with a pool, cafés and restaurants. Your villa, sheltered beneath an angular canopy, draws inspiration from the colours and atmosphere of the desert. The interior stands out for its dune-like curves and handcrafted furniture decorated with traditional Bedouin carpets and fabrics. The bathroom is a sanctuary for relaxation, with tactile surfaces, a spacious shower and a deep bathtub. During the day, it's easy to spend all your time in the underground spa, which covers nearly 4,000 square metres (43,000 square feet). Treatment rooms, along with a well-being area featuring a sauna, steam room, infrared sauna and cold bath, offer vitality and a feeling of freshness. For adventurous souls, hiking trails start from the resort and wind through rugged dunes, steep cliffs and archaeological remains. In the evening, aperitifs and dinners are enjoyed at the restaurant. This spot is ideal for watching sunsets with pink and orange hues.
Unlike the vast sandy deserts of Africa, the Hejaz desert, about 200 km (124 miles) from the Red Sea, reveals breathtaking canyon landscapes and monumental rock formations rising from the sand. Lunar landscapes that give you the irresistible feeling of travelling through David Lean’s “Lawrence of Arabia”, to the point where you almost expect to hear Maurice Jarre’s enchanting orchestral score in the air…
À la carte - Hike in the Hejaz desert.
You’ll journey to Turtle Bay, then transfer by boat to your final accommodation, before settling in for two nights. On an exclusive island in the Ummahat archipelago, off the Saudi coast, seclusion meets pure luxury. The Red Sea is the inspiration behind the establishment. It’s a vast, unspoiled playground you can explore at your leisure. Your villa, nestled on the beach, offers bright and airy interiors with high ceilings. The sandy and aquamarine tones draw inspiration from the natural surroundings, helping them blend in. The bathroom is spacious, while the outdoor dining area and infinity pool invite you to linger between inside and outside. For those who prefer company, the three restaurants offer just as many culinary experiences. The first serves Levantine delights such as fayaters, manakish, sayadieh and mezze to share. The second, perched on stilts above the sea, promises delicious gastronomic flavours. Finally, the third is a Japanese restaurant of the izakaya type where the Japanese-Filipino chef delights in surprising guests with a dazzling omakase menu (that is, “chef’s choice!”).
South of Tabuk province, off the Saudi coast, floats the Ummahat archipelago, which is often, and rightly, compared to the Maldives. It must be said that the comparison is inevitable, as the paradise beaches and the sparkling lagoon, protected by a coral reef, instantly bring to mind visions of the Indian Ocean. Although the sand is not as fine and powdery as on the Maldivian islands, the waters here are just as clear. It’s a true paradise for scuba diving and snorkelling enthusiasts, where you can encounter colourful fish, stingrays and whitetip reef sharks swimming among thriving corals…
Optional - Snorkelling in the Red Sea.
Boat transfer to Turtle Bay. You’ll drive to Yanbu airport, return the rental car, then take your international flight home. Night spent on the plane, arrival the next day.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Hegra After Dark
A true living spectacle unfolds at night in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra (Mada’in Saleh), lit for the occasion by nearly 3,000 candles. A captivating multisensory experience, with performances in Nabataean costumes among other highlights.Hiking in the Hedjaz Desert
In the company of an experienced guide, the Hejaz Desert reveals itself through a range of trails, from easy walks to moderately challenging hikes. Routes wind through striking landscapes where golden dunes meet dramatic rock formations and lush date-palm oases.Snorkelling in the Red Sea
A playground for divers and snorkellers alike, the Red Sea puts on an unforgettable show. Kitted out with a mask and snorkel, explore the clear, shallow waters of the Outer Reef in peace, in the wake of a private guide. In this world bursting with colour and life, you may cross paths with parrotfish, angelfish, reef sharks - and, with a little luck, spot stingrays, barracudas or sea turtles.With a few extra days…
Jeddah - On the eastern shore of the Red Sea, where palm trees sway lazily in the breeze, the country’s second city is far more than just a gateway to the peninsula and is well worth spending a few days. As early as the 7th century, it was an important trading port on the spice route and a key stop for pilgrims on their way to Mecca. These lively exchanges have shaped both the city and its architecture, with coral-stone tower houses adorned with wooden balconies, still standing proud in the historic district of Al-Balad. Today, true to its heritage, Jeddah is weaving itself into the kingdom’s ambitious projects - a rewarding stop for curious travellers eager to explore.Doha - Qatar's capital, Doha, has carved out a place of its own among the Gulf’s heavyweights. It makes an excellent alternative to Jeddah for a one- or two-day stopover, especially given how flight routes often work. Once a modest fishing village, Doha is now a symbol of the region’s futuristic momentum, built at an extraordinary pace with the help of world-renowned architects. From Jean Nouvel’s National Museum of Qatar to I. M. Pei’s Museum of Islamic Art, the city embraces its ambitions - while still preserving traces of the past, such as Souq Waqif, where spices and local crafts are sold. Doha may be more surprising than it first appears.
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