![]() ![]() We don’t build through nature but rather around it," says Oliver Ripley, chief executive and co-founder of Habitas. "Whilst the design of each home differs depending on the location, we always create an aesthetic that blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Through extensive research and site visits, the design of each project is harmonised with the location's natural surroundings. Habitas uses a modular build model, meaning rooms are designed, constructed, flat-packed and delivered to new locations worldwide. There was minimal disruption to the environment in the creation of the hotel, since none of the construction was done onsite and no natural resources were removed or destroyed in the process. Photo: Habitas Al Ulaĭesigned in traditional Middle Eastern style, each room is made from ethically sourced materials that blend seamlessly into their natural surroundings, with warm shades of red, white and brown dominating. Given the scale of the hotel, it is easy to stay comfortably away from other guests in the lobby, spa and restaurants. Staff and guests wear masks and practise social distancing, with hand-sanitising stations throughout. The hotel follows safety measures and procedures as per the kingdom's health guidelines. They design and manufacture the structures in their factory before shipping them to locations around the world, and were just granted the Architectural Digest Award for the Best Project in Hospitality in 2021 for AlUla. The Habitas founders aim to create spaces that build a sense of community and facilitate people coming together. The multicultural staff include Mexican yoga trainers, Italian and Lebanese chefs and British and Ukrainian service staff, creating a strong sense of diversity. The hotel is surrounded by spectacular sandstone cliffs and feels like a relic from the past, filled with intrigue and adventure.įacilities include a spa retreat, yoga room, gym, lounge and pool, while immersive art installations lie around the hotel waiting to be discovered. The neighbourhoodĪn aerial view of AlUla's Old Town. The hotel is busy when I arrive since it is during AlUla Season, and foreign as well as local guests generally arrive en masse, given the limited number of flights coming into AlUla's newly opened airport.Ĭheck-in is effortless once it begins, and staff are friendly, providing plenty of information about the hotel and its facilities. There is a side bar offering hot drinks, including Arabic coffee, and dates. Guests checking in to the luxury resort step into a lobby that looks like a fortified khaima, or tent, filled with Arabian design motifs, Sadu rugs and Assouline's beautiful AlUla coffee-table books flanked by huge armchairs. There is a lot of focus on creating the right ambience at Habitas – once you book online, the hotel emails you a playlist of specially curated music to kick off your sonic experience. A two-minute vow of silence follows, where guests are asked to set an intention to mark the spiritual journey that lies ahead.Īrrivals are then given aromatic mastika stones sourced from AlUla and are invited to toss them into bokhour, the incense traditionally used in the region to scent homes and other indoor spaces. Upon arrival, guests are given a bracelet embedded with the brand's signature wooden compass. Habitas AlUla has a special welcoming ceremony. Habitas AlUla is located in the Ashar Valley. Sitting between the mountains and ancient Nabatean settlements, the hotel is a short distance from several tourist attractions, including AlUla's Old Town, and Maraya Social and theatre. Palm groves and pathways lead up to the property, which offers a stay right in the heart of one of Saudi Arabia's most picturesque destinations. ![]() Thuraya Wellness offers a peaceful lounge space with an alchemy bar, spa treatment rooms, a fitness center, an outdoor wellness agora, and a yoga studio.Located on a site dating back to the first century that was once traversed by ancient tribes, including the Nabateans, Habitas AlUla is a five-star resort set in an ancient oasis in the desert canyons of the Ashar Valley. Named after a star constellation widely used by bedouins to navigate, Thuraya Wellness is where we come to restore and relax. Our dishes infuse Global & Middle Eastern cuisine, using local, fresh ingredients and spices once traded along the incense route, bringing Saudi Arabia’s unique flavors to life. ![]() Tama, meaning ‘here and now’ in Aramaic, is where we come together and experience an immersive culinary journey through time. Our villas are sustainably designed to embrace the natural surroundings of Ashar Valley, offering scenic canyon views. Welcome to our sustainable home of wonder in AlUla, an immersive experience where nature inspires creative expression, human connection, and the pursuit of adventure. ![]()
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