Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast is undergoing the largest luxury hospitality build-out on Earth. Across three mega-destinations — The Red Sea, AMAALA and NEOM’s Sindalah — more than 30 resort properties are either welcoming guests today or completing construction for 2026 openings. Whether you are drawn by overwater villas on pristine coral archipelagos, wellness retreats carved into desert dunes, or world-first island golf courses, this guide maps every resort that is open, every property confirmed for this year and exactly how to book each one. For a broader look at accommodation across the Kingdom, start with our complete Saudi Arabia hotels guide.

Understanding the Three Red Sea Destinations

It helps to understand that “Red Sea resorts” actually spans three distinct giga-projects, each developed under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 tourism strategy. All three sit along the northwestern coast between the towns of AlWajh and Umluj, roughly 500 km north of Jeddah.

The Red Sea Destination

Managed by Red Sea Global (RSG) and anchored around a 28,000 sq km area encompassing over 90 islands, The Red Sea is the most advanced of the three projects. Five resorts opened between 2023 and 2024, with Shura Island adding three more in September 2025. Eight additional resorts are confirmed for 2026, bringing the active total toward 16 properties spanning island, coastal and inland desert settings.

AMAALA

Also developed by RSG, AMAALA sits further north where the Hijaz Mountains meet the sea. It positions itself as the world’s first integrated wellness and longevity destination. The first phase at Triple Bay will open in 2026 with up to nine resorts and 1,267 rooms, anchored by brands including Four Seasons, Rosewood, Six Senses and Clinique La Prairie.

NEOM Sindalah

NEOM’s island resort in the Gulf of Aqaba held a ceremonial soft-launch in October 2024 but has not yet opened for public bookings. A phased opening with marina and initial hotel capacity is anticipated for late 2026 or 2027. We cover it below for planning purposes, but it is not currently bookable.

Resorts Open Now — The Red Sea Destination

These properties are fully operational and accepting bookings today. All are accessed through Red Sea International Airport (RSI), with resort-arranged transfers by speedboat, seaplane or electric vehicle depending on location.

St. Regis Red Sea Resort (Ummahat Islands)

The St. Regis occupies a private island in the Ummahat archipelago, reached by speedboat or seaplane from RSI. Its 90 overwater and beachfront villas each feature private pools, and the property delivers the brand’s signature Butler Service. Dining spans three restaurants — Nesma (Middle Eastern), Gishiki 45 (Japanese) and Tilina (beachside steakhouse). The St. Regis Spa offers hammam treatments alongside a fitness centre and children’s club.

Rates: From approximately SAR 7,000 (USD 1,866) per night for a one-bedroom villa. Add 15% VAT and 5% municipality tax. Bookable directly through Marriott or major OTAs.

Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Ummahat Islands)

Opened May 2024 on a neighbouring Ummahat island, Nujuma is one of only a handful of Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties worldwide. Its 63 villas — all with panoramic sea views, private pools and telescopes for stargazing — emphasise seclusion. Each guest receives a personal host. The Neyrah Spa draws on local botanicals including moringa-oil rituals. The flagship Royal Nujuma Villa (three bedrooms, 359 m²) reaches approximately SAR 81,000 (USD 21,000+) per night.

Rates: From approximately SAR 8,400 (USD 2,250) per night. Bookable through Ritz-Carlton or luxury travel advisors.

Six Senses Southern Dunes (Inland)

Set among the Khuff dunes outside Umluj, this inland resort was designed by Foster + Partners with a rock-cut façade inspired by Nabataean architecture. It comprises 76 keys — 36 guest rooms and suites plus 40 pool villas ranging from one to four bedrooms, their undulating roofs echoing the surrounding dunes. Five restaurants, an extensive spa with biohacking and sleep programmes, and activities including camel camping and Bedouin-guided dune walks round out the offering. Six Senses Southern Dunes is targeting LEED Platinum certification, powered entirely by an on-site solar farm.

Rates: From approximately SAR 4,500 (USD 1,200) per night. Best rates October to March. Bookable through Six Senses, Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and Expedia.

Desert Rock Resort (Inland)

Opened December 2024, Desert Rock’s suites are carved directly into the Hijaz mountain escarpment — think Cappadocia cave hotels reimagined for the Arabian desert. Each room features private pools opening onto uninterrupted mountain and sunset views. The resort is a 20-minute drive from RSI airport and suits couples and solo travellers seeking total desert immersion.

Shebara Resort (Sheybarah Island)

The most architecturally distinctive property in the portfolio, Shebara’s 73 overwater villas sit on stilts above a protected lagoon. The steel-and-glass pod design is entirely off-grid, powered by solar energy. It opened in 2023 as the Red Sea destination’s flagship.

Shura Island — The Red Sea’s Social Hub (Opened September 2025)

Shura Island is the main-island centrepiece of The Red Sea destination, designed by Foster + Partners under the Coral Bloom regenerative concept. It opened in September 2025 with three resorts and is adding eight more throughout 2026, alongside 305 branded residences and Saudi Arabia’s first island golf course.

Phase One Resorts (Open Now)

Tip: The InterContinental and EDITION are the most accessible price points on Shura Island — expect entry rates around SAR 3,000–4,500 (USD 800–1,200) per night. SLS skews higher and attracts a younger, design-conscious clientele.

Shura Links Golf Course

Saudi Arabia’s first island golf course opened alongside the Phase One resorts. Designed to championship standards and integrated with the island’s mangrove conservation zones, it is playable by guests of any Shura Island resort. Green fees and tee-time booking details are available through each resort’s concierge.

Phase Two Resorts (Opening Through 2026)

Eight additional brands are confirmed for Shura Island in 2026:

• Faena — the Miami-born brand’s Middle East debut
• Fairmont — family-oriented with larger suite configurations
• Four Seasons — extending the brand’s Saudi footprint from Riyadh
• Grand Hyatt — upper-upscale with conference facilities
• Jumeirah — Dubai’s flagship luxury brand
• Miraval — the Hyatt-owned wellness and mindfulness resort
• Raffles — ultra-luxury with a signature Long Bar
• Rosewood — residential-style suites with A Sense of Place philosophy

Opening dates for individual Phase Two properties have not been publicly confirmed. Expect staggered openings from Q2 to Q4 2026. Monitor our Red Sea project resorts page for updates as dates are announced.

AMAALA Triple Bay — Wellness Mega-Resort (Opening 2026)

AMAALA’s first phase centres on Triple Bay, a cluster of nine resorts and 1,267 rooms positioned as the world’s premier wellness and longevity destination. Red Sea Global announced the opening in November 2025, with properties completing fit-out through the first half of 2026.

Confirmed AMAALA Triple Bay Resorts

Note: AMAALA rates are expected to start at USD 1,200–1,500 per night for standard rooms, scaling to USD 3,500+ for premium wellness suites with included treatment programmes. The Clinique La Prairie and Jayasom properties will offer multi-day packages combining accommodation with medical diagnostics, biohacking and longevity protocols.

AMAALA Yacht Club

The marina at Triple Bay will host the Grand Finale of The Ocean Race in 2027. Visiting yacht berths will be available from the marina’s opening, making AMAALA the Red Sea’s premier superyacht destination.

NEOM Sindalah — The Gulf of Aqaba Proposition

NEOM’s Sindalah sits in the Gulf of Aqaba, north of the main Red Sea developments. Designed by Italian naval architect Luca Dini, the island features a luxury marina, yacht club and resort complex. A ceremonial event in October 2024 showcased the island, but as of April 2026 no public booking portal exists. Hospitality brands attached to the project include Four Seasons and other luxury operators.

A realistic soft-opening for initial marina and hotel capacity is targeted for late 2026 to early 2027. We will update this section as booking channels go live. For other northwest Saudi destinations, see our Tabuk travel guide.

How to Get There

Red Sea International Airport (RSI)

Red Sea International Airport opened for domestic flights in 2023 and launched international services in April 2024. It serves all Red Sea and AMAALA resorts. Current scheduled services include:

• Saudia: 6 weekly flights from Riyadh (RUH), 2 from Jeddah (JED), 2 from Dammam (DMM)
• flydubai: 2 weekly flights from Dubai (DXB)
• Qatar Airways: 3 weekly flights from Doha (DOH) — Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays

Flight times are approximately 90 minutes from Riyadh, 75 minutes from Jeddah and 2.5 hours from Doha.

Resort Transfers

On arrival at RSI, airport greeting teams meet passengers and manage transfers. Depending on your resort:

• Island resorts (St. Regis, Nujuma, Shebara, Shura Island) — speedboat transfers of 30–40 minutes, or optional seaplane
• Inland resorts (Six Senses Southern Dunes, Desert Rock) — electric vehicle transfer, 20–30 minutes
• AMAALA Triple Bay — dedicated transfer corridor from RSI or a future AMAALA terminal

Tip: Transfer logistics are managed by the resorts. Confirm your transfer method and timing directly with your hotel at least 48 hours before arrival. Seaplane transfers carry a premium but are worth considering for the aerial views of the archipelago.

How to Book

Direct Booking

Most open resorts accept reservations through their parent brand websites:

• Marriott.com — St. Regis Red Sea, Nujuma Ritz-Carlton Reserve, The Red Sea EDITION
• SixSenses.com — Six Senses Southern Dunes
• IHG.com — InterContinental The Red Sea
• SLShotels.com — SLS The Red Sea

Travel Agent and Luxury Programmes

Given the price tier, many guests book through preferred partner programmes that unlock upgrades, credits and breakfast inclusions:

• Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts — covers Six Senses, St. Regis and select Shura Island properties
• Virtuoso — access to most Red Sea properties with amenity packages
• VisitRedSea.com — Red Sea Global’s own portal with transfer coordination and multi-property itineraries

Booking AMAALA 2026 Properties

For AMAALA Triple Bay resorts opening through 2026, pre-registration interest can be lodged through individual brand websites or through RSG’s AMAALA portal. Expect booking windows to open 3–6 months ahead of each property’s confirmed opening date. If you are planning a wellness-focused trip, consider pairing AMAALA with Jeddah’s luxury spa scene for a multi-stop itinerary.

Best Time to Visit

The Red Sea coast enjoys warm weather year-round, but conditions vary significantly by season:

Tip: The Six Senses Southern Dunes inland property is best avoided in summer — temperatures inland push past 42 °C. Overwater and island resorts remain comfortable with sea breezes.

What to Expect: Practical Details

Pricing and Taxes

All published resort rates are subject to 15% VAT and 5% municipality fee, adding 20% to the headline number. A room listed at SAR 7,000 will cost SAR 8,400 at checkout. Factor this into your budget from the outset.

Visa Requirements

Citizens of 63 countries can obtain a Saudi tourist e-visa online in minutes. The e-visa costs SAR 535 (approximately USD 142), is valid for one year with multiple entries and permits stays of up to 90 days per visit. GCC nationals do not need a visa.

Alcohol

Saudi Arabia does not permit alcohol sales. Resort bars serve mocktails, premium non-alcoholic beverages and Saudi coffee. Several Red Sea properties have invested in sophisticated zero-proof cocktail programmes.

Dress Code

Within resort grounds, standard resort wear is appropriate. Swimwear is acceptable at pools and private beaches. When visiting towns or travelling between resorts, modest dress covering shoulders and knees is expected.

Currency and Payments

The Saudi Riyal (SAR) is pegged to the US dollar at 3.75. All resorts accept major credit cards. Tipping is not obligatory but appreciated — 10–15% at restaurants, SAR 20–50 for porters and housekeeping.

Combining Red Sea Resorts with Other Saudi Destinations

The Red Sea coast works well as part of a broader Saudi itinerary:

• Red Sea + AlUla: A 3-night coastal stay combined with the Nabataean heritage sites of AlUla creates an unbeatable beach-and-culture pairing. Saudia connects RSI to AlUla airport.
• Red Sea + Jeddah: Fly into Jeddah, explore the UNESCO-listed Al-Balad district and Corniche, then connect to RSI for your resort stay.
• Red Sea + Riyadh: Start in the capital for urban culture, dining and the Diriyah heritage quarter, then fly to RSI for a beach finale.
• Red Sea + Diving: The coastline between Umluj and Yanbu offers some of the world’s best diving and snorkelling — pair resort time with dedicated dive excursions.

Explore More Saudi Arabia Travel Guides

• Saudi Arabia Hotels Guide — The complete guide to where to stay across the Kingdom
• Red Sea Project Resorts — Overview of AMAALA, Sindalah and Shura Island developments
• Saudi Arabia Luxury Travel — Resorts, desert camps and premium experiences
• Saudi Arabia Diving Guide — Explore the Red Sea’s world-class marine life
• Saudi Arabia Travel Guide 2026 — The complete guide to visiting the Kingdom
• Saudi Arabia Visa Guide — Every visa type explained