Did you know that Saudi Arabia is quickly becoming one of the most exciting luxury travel destinations in the world? For many travellers, the country is still associated with desert landscapes and ancient culture. But today, Saudi Arabia offers much more than that. It brings together golden dunes, dramatic sandstone valleys, private Red Sea islands, heritage stays, wellness retreats, and modern city hotels.
What makes Saudi Arabia especially interesting is the contrast. In one journey, you can sleep under desert skies in AlUla, walk through ancient heritage sites, unwind in a private island villa on the Red Sea, and end the trip with a refined stay in Riyadh. Few destinations offer this mix of history, nature, and new-generation luxury so naturally.
The Saudi Arabia collection includes desert resorts in AlUla, beach retreats on the Red Sea, and a sophisticated city stay in Riyadh. These are not ordinary hotels. Each property reflects a different side of the country, making Saudi Arabia ideal for travellers seeking a bespoke desert-and-beach escape. The Saudi Arabia collection highlights landscapes ranging from the Rub Al Khali desert and AlUla’s rock formations to the blue waters of the Red Sea and hidden oases.
Begin with AlUla: Where the Desert Feels Alive
AlUla is one of Saudi Arabia’s most powerful destinations. It is not just a desert; it feels like an open-air museum shaped by time, wind, and history. The region is known for its sandstone cliffs, ancient heritage, oasis landscapes, and peaceful desert atmosphere. For travellers who want a luxury escape with meaning, AlUla is a beautiful starting point.
Banyan Tree AlUla: Quiet Luxury in Ashar Valley
Banyan Tree AlUla is a five-star desert retreat set in Ashar Valley, surrounded by desert sand, sandstone cliffs, and dramatic rock formations. The resort is designed to feel deeply connected to the landscape, with elegant tented villas inspired by Arabian opulence, ancient handicrafts, high ceilings, and soft canopy curtains.
This is the kind of place where luxury does not need to be loud. The beauty is in the stillness, the views, and the feeling of waking up in a valley that looks almost untouched. Banyan Tree AlUla is ideal for couples, families, or private travellers who want a refined desert stay.
The best time to visit AlUla is from October to March, making it a great winter escape for GCC travellers seeking a cool-weather luxury holiday. The hotel is located in Ashar Valley and can be reached in just under an hour from AlUla Airport.
Our Habitas AlUla: For Nature, Adventure, and Slow Travel
If Banyan Tree AlUla feels elegant and serene, Our Habitas AlUla brings a more immersive, nature-led energy. Located in Ashar Valley, the resort is surrounded by palm groves, sandstone cliffs, and desert canyons. Its villas are designed with sustainable architecture principles so they blend into the natural surroundings rather than overpower them.
This property is perfect for travellers who want to reconnect with nature without giving up comfort. Think open desert landscapes, quiet mornings, wellness, adventure, and a softer pace of travel. It has the feeling of a desert retreat designed for people who want experiences, not just accommodation.
Our Habitas AlUla is close to the centre of AlUla and can be reached by transfer from the airport. The best time to visit is from November to April, making it a strong choice for winter and early spring travel.
The Chedi Hegra: Luxury Surrounded by Ancient Heritage
Here is something truly special: The Chedi Hegra is set within Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. This makes it one of the most culturally powerful luxury stays in the country. The hotel blends ancient history with contemporary design, offering rooms with desert views and interiors inspired by Nabataean heritage.
For travellers who love places with a story, The Chedi Hegra is not just a hotel stay; it is a way to experience AlUla’s past in a refined and intimate manner. The property also features a spa, local art installations, and Prima Classe restaurant, inspired by the glamour of luxury train travel.
It is located in Hegra, around 40 minutes from AlUla Airport, and the best time to visit is from October to April. This makes it a wonderful choice for travellers who want culture, scenery, and comfort in one memorable stay.
Dar Tantora The House Hotel: The Authentic Soul of AlUla
Dar Tantora The House Hotel offers a very different side of luxury. Instead of a modern desert resort, it is set in the historic Old Town of AlUla and created from restored earthen dwellings using traditional techniques. The interiors are warm and refined, with oil lanterns and local handicrafts giving the property a feeling of being suspended in time.
This is a beautiful option for travellers who want to experience AlUla’s heritage more closely. The hotel sits among buildings dating back to the 12th century and is designed to preserve traditional architecture while using sustainable building methods.
Dar Tantora is especially suited to travellers who appreciate authenticity. It is not about polished luxury alone; it is about atmosphere, culture, and storytelling. The restaurant also focuses on oasis-inspired cuisine with fresh ingredients and a zero-waste philosophy, adding another local layer to the experience.
The Red Sea: Saudi Arabia’s New Beach Luxury
After the stillness of AlUla, the Red Sea brings a completely different rhythm. This is where Saudi Arabia shows its beachside personality: turquoise waters, coral reefs, white sand, private islands, and overwater villas. For travellers who usually choose the Maldives or Seychelles, the Red Sea is becoming a fresh and exciting alternative, much closer to the region.
Nujuma, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve: Private Island Elegance
Nujuma, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve is located among the Ummahat Islands, off the coast of the Red Sea. It offers 82 luxury villas with private pools and direct access to the sea, coral reefs, white sandy beaches, and lush gardens.
This is the property for travellers who want that private-island feeling. It is ideal for honeymoons, milestone celebrations, family escapes, or guests who simply want quiet, high-end beach luxury.
The resort can be reached by a 30-minute flight from the new Red Sea airport or by boat in around an hour. The best time to visit is from October to March (which works well for travellers looking for winter sun and warm sea views).
The St. Regis Red Sea Resort: Overwater Villas and Beachfront Style
The St. Regis Red Sea Resort is another standout private island property in the Ummahat Islands. It features 90 overwater and beach villas, each with a private pool, creating a luxurious setting surrounded by the Red Sea’s natural beauty.
What makes this resort attractive is its mix of contemporary elegance and local influence. It is sophisticated, beach-focused, and designed for travellers who want comfort with a strong sense of place. For guests who love overwater villas but want a new destination beyond the usual island routes, The St. Regis Red Sea Resort is a very strong choice.
Like Nujuma, the property can be reached by a 30-minute flight from the Red Sea airport or by boat in about an hour, with October to March listed as the best time to visit.
Six Senses Southern Dunes: Desert Wellness Near the Red Sea
Not every Red Sea experience is about the beach. Six Senses Southern Dunes brings desert, wellness, and sustainability together in a dramatic inland setting. Located about 100 kilometres north of Umluj, the resort is around one hour by car from the Red Sea airport.
The resort has 76 villas arranged around a central oasis and inspired by desert dunes. This is a wonderful option for travellers who want the Red Sea region but prefer desert views, wellness, relaxation, and a deeper connection to the landscape. It is also well suited for those who want to combine a stay here with a beach resort, creating a desert-and-sea itinerary in one destination.
Riyadh: A Refined City Finish
A Saudi Arabia itinerary does not have to end in the desert or by the sea. Riyadh adds a polished urban layer, especially for travellers who enjoy fine dining, shopping, culture, and modern city hotels.
The St. Regis Riyadh: Modern Elegance in the Capital
The St. Regis Riyadh is set within the exclusive VIA Riyadh complex, close to the diplomatic quarter. The complex includes international brands, restaurants, and cinemas, making the hotel a stylish base for experiencing the capital.
The hotel is built from ancient Tuwaiq mountain stone and combines local design with international craftsmanship. It has 83 rooms and suites, the city’s largest wellness centre, the St. Regis SPA, and spacious interiors with floor-to-ceiling windows.
This is a good choice for travellers who want to add a city stay before or after a desert-and-beach journey. Riyadh offers a very different energy from AlUla and the Red Sea, giving the itinerary more balance.
How to Plan a Bespoke Saudi Arabia Escape
The beauty of Saudi Arabia is that every itinerary can be shaped differently. For heritage and desert drama, AlUla should be the heart of the trip. Banyan Tree AlUla and Our Habitas AlUla are ideal for desert scenery and relaxation, while The Chedi Hegra and Dar Tantora The House Hotel bring a stronger cultural and historical dimension.
For a luxurious beach escape, Nujuma and The St. Regis Red Sea Resort offer private island stays with villas, pools, and direct sea access. For wellness and desert calm near the Red Sea, Six Senses Southern Dunes is a perfect bridge between the coast and the dunes. Riyadh can then complete the journey with a refined city stay at The St. Regis Riyadh.
For travellers from Qatar and the GCC, Saudi Arabia feels both close and completely new. It is familiar in culture, but surprising in landscape and experience. That is what makes it so appealing for a bespoke escape.
With ILV Travel Atelier, the journey can be tailored around personal style, whether the priority is desert silence, beach privacy, wellness, culture, family travel, or a romantic celebration. Saudi Arabia is no longer just an emerging destination. It is becoming one of the region’s most exciting luxury travel stories, where ancient landscapes and modern hospitality come together beautifully.
