AlUla is home to some of Saudi Arabia’s most extraordinary luxury accommodation — resorts set among 200,000-year-old sandstone formations, heritage boutiques built inside restored mudbrick houses, and glamping trailers parked along ancient incense trade routes. Whether you are planning a dedicated stay or building AlUla into a broader Saudi Arabia hotel itinerary, this guide covers every high-end property currently accepting reservations, along with confirmed openings for 2026 and 2027. The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has invested billions into transforming this remote corner of the Al Madinah Province into the Kingdom’s premier cultural tourism destination, and the accommodation now matches the ambition.
Best Time to Visit: October to March (mild temperatures, cultural festival season)
Getting There: AlUla International Airport (ULH) — direct flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Dubai and Doha
Visa Required: Yes — tourist e-visa available online
Budget: $300–$1,100+ per night (luxury tier); $100–$250 per night (mid-range)
Must-See: Hegra UNESCO World Heritage Site, Elephant Rock, Dadan ruins
Avoid: Booking June–August without confirming the resort is open (some properties close for summer heat)
Why AlUla for a Luxury Stay
AlUla sits in a narrow valley carved between towering sandstone cliffs in northwest Saudi Arabia — roughly 330 kilometres north of Medina and 1,100 kilometres from Riyadh. For thousands of years it served as a waystation on the incense trade route linking the Arabian Peninsula to the Mediterranean. The Nabataeans carved monumental tombs into its rock faces at Hegra, the southern sister city to Petra. The Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms left inscriptions across its canyon walls. And the Hejaz Railway once ran through the heart of the valley.
What makes AlUla different from other Saudi luxury destinations is the landscape itself. The resorts here do not compete with the scenery — they integrate into it. Villas are tucked into canyon alcoves. Tented suites face open desert. Heritage rooms occupy buildings that are centuries old. The result is something closer to a cultural immersion than a conventional hotel stay.
Banyan Tree AlUla
Banyan Tree AlUla opened in October 2022 in the Ashar Valley, making it one of the first ultra-luxury properties in the destination. Managed by Banyan Tree Hotels under the Accor Group, it sits among soaring sandstone formations with views across the open desert. Mariah Carey performed at its inauguration — a measure of the ambition behind the project.
Villas and Pricing
The resort comprises 47 pool villas spread across the valley floor, each designed to blend into the surrounding terrain. Three configurations are available:
| Villa Type | Size | Key Features | From (USD/night) |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Bedroom Pool Villa | Standard | King bed, private pool, fire pit, bathroom patio | ~$808 |
| Two-Bedroom Pool Villa | 138 sqm | Outdoor dining area, fire pit, private pool with sun loungers | ~$1,100 |
| Three-Bedroom Pool Villa | 240 sqm | 10-seater dining table, secluded terrace, private pool | ~$1,800 |
All villas include air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, a coffee machine, and a private bathroom with patio. Stays of 15 nights or more qualify for a 15% discount with breakfast included.
Dining and Facilities
Two restaurants operate on-site: Harrat, serving Middle Eastern cuisine with locally sourced ingredients, and Saffron, offering a broader international and Thai-influenced menu. Facilities include an infinity pool, a full-service spa and wellness centre, a fitness centre, yoga classes, and a sun terrace. The resort also runs bike tours, cooking classes, horseback riding excursions, and guided hikes through the surrounding canyons.
Tip: Request a villa facing west for sunset views over the sandstone formations. The fire pits are most enjoyable during the cooler months from November to February.
Our Habitas AlUla
Our Habitas AlUla opened in November 2021 in the same Ashar Valley, positioning itself as a luxury boutique retreat built around community, wellness, and cultural immersion. Where Banyan Tree emphasises private villa seclusion, Habitas leans toward shared experiences — communal dining, organised programming, and curated cultural encounters. It is currently the largest luxury property in AlUla with 96 guest rooms and villas.
Room Categories
The resort offers six distinct villa types, each oriented toward different parts of the valley:
- Canyon Villa — nestled in the ancient oasis amid Ashar Valley cliffs, the most intimate setting
- Alcove Villa — close-up canyon views, private terraces, open to the night sky
- Celestial Villa — equipped with telescopes for stargazing, spacious lounging areas, sunset-facing
- Art Villa (Celestial and Canyon variants) — positioned near Desert X installations including the “Falling Stones Garden”
- Wellness Villa (Celestial and Alcove variants) — yoga mats, in-villa massage sessions, additional wellness amenities
- Arabian Villa — the largest and most secluded option with panoramic Ashar Valley views
- History and heritage: The Chedi Hegra (sleep inside a UNESCO site) or Dar Tantora (800-year-old mudbrick houses)
- Private luxury: Banyan Tree AlUla (pool villas, seclusion, Ashar Valley views)
- Community and wellness: Our Habitas AlUla (curated programming, communal dining, yoga and spa)
- Desert adventure: Caravan by Habitas (Airstream glamping) or Ashar Tented Resort
- Value: Shaden Resort or Cloud7 Residence (strong mid-range bases under $250/night)
- Families: Shaden Resort (127 rooms, family configurations, pool) or Banyan Tree (two- and three-bedroom villas)
- Saudi Arabia Hotels Guide — The complete guide to accommodation across the Kingdom
- Best Hotels and Resorts in AlUla — Every property ranked by type and budget
- AlUla Camps and Desert Lodges — Tented resorts, glamping, and off-grid stays
- Glamping in Saudi Arabia — Desert luxury under the stars across the Kingdom
- AlUla vs Petra — Comparing the two great Nabataean cities
- Red Sea Project Resorts — AMAALA, Sindalah and the next wave of Saudi luxury
- Saudi Arabia Travel Guide 2026 — The complete guide to visiting the Kingdom
- Saudi Arabia Visa Guide — Every visa type explained
Pricing ranges from approximately $294 per night in low season to $3,726 for a premium villa during peak months, with an average nightly rate around $437.
Wellness and Programming
The Thuraya Wellness centre offers both modern and ancestral therapies — expect traditional Arabian treatments alongside conventional spa services. Complimentary programming is organised around six pillars: Art and Culture, Wellness, Adventure, Learning, Food and Beverage, and Music. The Tama restaurant serves dishes made with fresh ingredients from local farms, with both indoor and outdoor seating.
Event spaces range from the 300-capacity Matmoura Majlis to the 15-person Cocoon — making Habitas a strong choice for corporate retreats and private gatherings.
The Chedi Hegra
The Chedi Hegra opened in 2024 as AlUla’s most historically significant luxury property. It is the only hotel situated within Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site — built into the ruins of a 1907 Hejaz Railway station. Managed by GHM Hotels under the Chedi brand, it offers 35 rooms, suites, and villas that incorporate original stone walls and historic architectural features.
What Makes It Different
Staying at The Chedi Hegra means sleeping inside a UNESCO site. The property’s Prima Classe restaurant is set beside a meticulously restored 1906 locomotive — you dine alongside a piece of the Ottoman Empire’s most ambitious infrastructure project. Private terraces and plunge pools look out over the same landscape that the Nabataeans carved their monumental tombs into two millennia ago.
Rates start from approximately SAR 3,915 per night (~$1,044 USD), making it the most expensive property currently operating in AlUla. A 1,200 square metre spa and wellness centre is in development.
Worth knowing: The Chedi Hegra offers the most direct access to Hegra’s 110+ Nabataean tombs. Guests can arrange private guided tours of the site at dawn, before day visitors arrive.
Dar Tantora — The House Hotel
Dar Tantora takes a fundamentally different approach to luxury accommodation in AlUla. Instead of building new structures in the desert, it restored 30 heritage “Dars” — mudbrick houses dating back 800 years in AlUla’s Old Town heritage quarter. TIME Magazine named it one of the World’s Greatest Places in 2024.
Each room is a different restored historic house, telling a distinct chapter of AlUla’s story through its architecture and furnishings. The property includes 24/7 butler service, an outdoor pool, a fitness centre, and a spa. A Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant serves halal, vegetarian, and vegan options. Nightly rates start from approximately $766.
Dar Tantora is the best choice for travellers who want a heritage-immersive experience rather than a desert retreat — you are staying inside one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the Arabian Peninsula.
Caravan by Habitas — Glamping in Style
For travellers who want the desert experience without the five-star formality, Caravan by Habitas offers 22 deluxe Airstream trailers positioned along the ancient incense and spice route among AlUla’s sandstone cliffs. Each trailer includes air conditioning, WiFi, a queen-size or twin bed, an indoor lounge, a kitchenette, and a private shower.
Four configurations are available: Oasis Caravan, Valley Caravan, Ridge Caravan, and Peak Caravan — differentiated primarily by their position in the landscape and the views they command. Rates start from SAR 1,300 per night (~$347 USD). If you are considering this style of accommodation across the Kingdom, see our wider guide to glamping in Saudi Arabia.
Ashar Tented Resort
The Ashar Tented Resort occupies the same Ashar Valley as Banyan Tree and Habitas but offers a more traditional tented luxury experience. Rates start from approximately $533 per night. It is a strong mid-point option for travellers who want the desert setting and quality finishes of the top-tier properties without the four-figure nightly rate. For a full comparison of all tented and camp-style options in the area, see our AlUla camps and desert lodges guide.
Mid-Range Options Worth Considering
Cloud7 Residence
Cloud7 Residence offers a more contemporary, apartment-style stay from approximately $203 per night. Current promotions include a book-four-pay-three deal with breakfast, 50% off spa treatments at Dar Tantora, 20% off food and beverage, and 10% off transport. It is a practical base for travellers who plan to spend most of their time exploring AlUla’s outdoor sites rather than using resort facilities.
Shaden Resort
One of AlUla’s earliest resorts, Shaden opened in 2015 and is managed by Accor. Its 127 rooms — including superior rooms, family rooms, villas, and suites with mountain or garden views — make it the largest property in the area by room count. Rates range from approximately $108 to $456 per night depending on season and room type. Facilities include a year-round outdoor pool, spa, sauna, international restaurant, and a coffee shop. It sits 19 miles from Hegra and 32 miles from AlUla airport.
Sahary AlUla Resort
Another 2015 opening, Sahary AlUla offers 80 rooms with king suites, garden and mountain views, and amenities including a pool, restaurant, outdoor fireplace, and sauna. Rates start from approximately $108 per night in the off-season — the most affordable option on this list. It is a serviceable base for budget-conscious travellers who want proximity to AlUla’s sites without the luxury price tag.
Comparison: AlUla Luxury Resorts at a Glance
| Property | Opened | Rooms | From (USD/night) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Chedi Hegra | 2024 | 35 | ~$1,044 | UNESCO immersion, history |
| Banyan Tree AlUla | 2022 | 47 | ~$808 | Private pool villas, seclusion |
| Dar Tantora | 2023 | 30 | ~$766 | Heritage experience, Old Town |
| Ashar Tented Resort | — | — | ~$533 | Desert tented luxury |
| Our Habitas AlUla | 2021 | 96 | ~$294 | Community, wellness, events |
| Caravan by Habitas | — | 22 | ~$347 | Glamping, Airstream style |
| Cloud7 Residence | — | — | ~$203 | Self-catering, longer stays |
| Shaden Resort | 2015 | 127 | ~$108 | Budget, families, large groups |
| Sahary AlUla | 2015 | 80 | ~$108 | Budget base camp |
What Is Coming: 2026–2027 Openings
The Royal Commission for AlUla has an eight-property hotel pipeline in development. Three confirmed openings will reshape AlUla’s luxury tier:
Sharaan Resort by Jean Nouvel (2026)
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, Sharaan will feature 38–40 suites, pavilions, and villas carved into and inspired by the sandstone landscape of the Sharaan Nature Reserve. The design draws directly from the Nabataean rock-carving tradition visible at Hegra. A signature fine-dining restaurant atop the mountain will offer panoramic views of the valley. The property will run on emission-free power. Construction is underway.
Aman AlUla (Phased: 2025–2027)
Aman — the ultra-luxury brand known for Amanpuri and Amangiri — is building three distinct properties in AlUla across three phases. Phase 1 (the main desert resort) is expected in 2025. Phase 2 adds a tented wellness retreat in 2026. Phase 3 introduces Janu AlUla, Aman’s more accessible sister brand, as a ranch-style desert resort in 2027. Aman properties globally start from $1,500–$3,000+ per night.
Azulik AlUla (2027)
The Mexican ecoluxury brand is bringing 76 luxury villas in six configurations, incorporating nearby ancient rock art inscriptions into an ecological design framework. This will be one of the first international ecoluxury concepts in Saudi Arabia.
Planning ahead: If you are booking for late 2026 or 2027, check directly with RCU’s Experience AlUla platform for confirmed opening dates, as timelines for mega-projects in Saudi Arabia can shift.
What to Do Near Your Resort
Every luxury resort in AlUla is within driving distance of the destination’s core attractions. Most properties arrange guided excursions, but independent visits are straightforward.
Hegra (Madain Saleh)
Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site features 110+ preserved Nabataean tombs carved into sandstone outcrops, dating from the 1st century BCE. The most famous is Qasr al-Farid — a monumental tomb carved from a single rock. Guided tours are available through Experience AlUla and typically last 90 minutes to two hours.
Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil)
This 52-metre natural sandstone formation — shaped like an elephant with its trunk touching the ground — is AlUla’s most photographed landmark. It is open daily from 4pm to midnight (extended hours on Thursday and Friday), illuminated at night with ambient music. The SALT food truck on-site serves burgers and coffee with views of the rock.
Dadan and Jabal Ikmah
The remains of the Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms (dating to the late 9th century BCE) sit in the valley alongside thousands of ancient rock inscriptions at Jabal Ikmah — sometimes called Saudi Arabia’s largest open-air library. Guided tours of Jabal Ikmah take approximately two hours.
AlUla Old Town
Roughly 900 mudbrick houses, shops, and squares make up one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements on the Arabian Peninsula. Craft stalls sell local artisan goods. Dar Tantora hotel guests are already staying inside it.
Maraya Concert Hall
The world’s largest mirrored building — a shimmering glass cube in the desert — hosts concerts, art exhibitions, and conferences. Its reflective surface mirrors the surrounding landscape, making it invisible from certain angles. Check the AlUla Moments calendar for scheduled performances during your stay.
Getting to AlUla
AlUla International Airport (IATA: ULH) receives direct domestic flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam on Saudia and Flynas, plus international connections from Dubai and Doha. Flight time from Riyadh is approximately two hours; from Jeddah, roughly 90 minutes.
By road, AlUla is approximately 330 kilometres north of Medina (around four hours) and 700 kilometres from Jeddah (seven to eight hours). The roads are well-maintained and car rental is available at the airport. SAPTCO buses connect AlUla to major Saudi cities for budget travellers.
Most luxury resorts offer airport transfers — confirm arrangements at the time of booking. A Saudi tourist e-visa is required for most nationalities and can be obtained online before departure.
Best Time to Book
The peak season runs from October to March, coinciding with AlUla’s cultural festival season — the “AlUla Moments” programme brings concerts, exhibitions, art installations (including Desert X AlUla), and special events. Temperatures during these months sit between 15°C and 28°C, ideal for outdoor exploration.
Summer months (June to August) bring temperatures above 40°C. Some properties reduce operations or close entirely. If you are planning a summer visit, confirm availability directly with the resort.
Shoulder months — April, May, September — offer lower rates and fewer crowds while remaining warm but manageable. For the best combination of price and experience, late October and November typically offer the widest availability and the start of the cultural calendar.
How to Choose the Right Resort
The choice comes down to what kind of experience you want:
If this is your first visit to AlUla and you want one recommendation: Our Habitas offers the best combination of location, programming, and value. If budget is not a concern and you want something you cannot experience anywhere else on Earth: The Chedi Hegra.
For a complete overview of all accommodation types in the area — including budget options, camps, and desert lodges — see our best hotels and resorts in AlUla guide. If you are building a multi-city Saudi itinerary, the Riyadh hotels guide and Dammam hotels guide cover the other major stops.