All the incredible hotels confirmed for The Red Sea
Some of the biggest names in the luxury hotel business will make their debut by the end of 2024…
The endless allure of The Red Sea’s varied topography – from dormant volcanoes to rolling deserts, sugary beaches and crystalline waters – is set to make this a must-visit destination on the global tourism map.
The numbers are truly mind-blowing, with just 1 per cent of the destination being developed for tourism, and that small percentage is also being carefully curated to ensure minimal impact to The Red Sea’s eco-system. By completion in 2030, The Red Sea will feature some 50 hotels, 8,000 rooms, up to 1,000 residential properties and its own international airport.
Let’s take a look at all the confirmed hotels opening at The Red Sea so far.
2023
Six Senses Southern Dunes
Opening in the first half of 2023 is Six Senses Southern Dunes, the first hotel to welcome guests to The Red Sea. One of only two hotels opening on an inland site at The Red Sea, this landmark resort is nestled within desert mountains and narrow wadis. The 76-room resort is split between 36 guest rooms in the main building, and a collection of 40 villas ranging in size from one to four bedrooms are dotted strategically across the peaks to offer panoramic views of the breathtaking natural landscape. Everything will centre around the Oasis, where the hotel reception, lobby, community lounges, and meeting spaces are located. It will also house the hotel’s signature Earth Lab is, an ecology area showcasing their sustainability efforts to reduce consumption, produce locally, and support communities and ecosystems.
Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
The St Regis Red Sea Resort
Situated on a private island within the Ummahat Islands archipelago, this St Regis property is one of three properties opening in 2023. Slated to open alongside the Ritz-Carlton Reserve this summer, The St Regis Red Sea Resort promises a collection of 90 villas – some overwater – a duo of signature restaurants, plus an outdoor pool, spa and kids’ club that oozes Maldives-style appeal.
2024
Four Seasons Resort at The Red Sea
Shura Island – the hub of The Red Sea development – will be home to a slew of luxury hotels, including the just-announced Four Seasons. And with all Four Seasons brand, the Four Seasons Resort at The Red Sea will have the best of everything: luxury, a great location, and family friendly. Designed by Foster + Partners, the Four Seasons Resort at The Red Sea will have 149 rooms and suites, all of which will include unobstructed coastline views and crystal-clear waters. There will also be six restaurants and lounges, an on-site marine discovery centre, and meeting and event spaces.Guests will also enjoy the exceptional resort facilities, including tennis courts, three outdoor pools with cabanas, and two beaches for families and adults-only, respectively – perfect for soaking in the sun or diving down to explore the coral reefs. Or treat yourself to a full-service spa treatment with a hammam, among other relaxation-driven offerings. The kids will also be kept entertained at the dedicated ‘Kids For All Seasons’ space, which will be packed with activities so you can relax in peace.
The Red Sea Edition
On the main hub island of Shura, lifestyle-driven Edition Hotels will open their second property in Saudi. Joining The Jeddah EDITION, opening in the summer of 2023, The Red Sea EDITION will open next year, inviting guests to check in to one of 240 guest rooms and suites that range in size from one- to three-bedroom. Elsewhere, there will be two signature restaurants, a destination bar, beach bar, fitness centre, swimming pools and spa. As is customary for the brand, everything from the design to the culinary offering will reflect the location’s cultural influence.
Faena The Red Sea
One of almost a dozen new hotels opening on Shura Island, also known as Coral Bloom, in 2024, is the dazzling US-born Faena. Focusing on experiential hospitality, healing and wellness, and innovative culinary concepts, the 150-key resort will be made up of suites and villas each with their own private pools and endless ocean views. Included within the imaginative destination: six restaurants by acclaimed chefs, a holistic healing house, South American inspired spa, a lavish nightlife experience called The Living Room, live entertainment, and art exhibitions.
Grand Hyatt
The largest of the 11 Shura Island hotels will be a 430-room Grand Hyatt property, slated to open in 2024. Arguably the most visually striking of Foster + Partners jaw-dropping hotel designs, the rainbow-hued “coral bloom” design is a unique concept that resembles a bloom of coral in the sea from above. Alongside an array of rooms and suites, guests will be able to dine at world-class restaurants, and enjoy access to the wider facilities on Shura Island, including a marina and an 18-hole championship golf course.
Intercontinental Resort Red Sea
Shura Island will welcome a 210-room InterContinental Resort Red Sea in 2024. All with sea views and beach access, the strong culinary focus will see guests spoiled for choice with seven restaurants, several swimming pools, a spa and health club. For those travelling for business, events spaces of varying size will also form part of the offering.
Jumeirah The Red Sea
Dubai-born Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts will arrive in the Kingdom with a hotel opening in Makkah in 2023, and will follow it up with Jumeirah The Red Sea in early 2024. Although we don’t know much about this beachy resort, we do know it will feature 159 keys, and will add to the hotel offering at Shura Island.
Miraval The Red Sea
With a strong focus on wellness and mindfulness, Miraval Resorts and Spas have become an industry leader in the US – and for their first wellness escape outside of America, the brand is headed to Saudi Arabia. Welcoming guests to an 180-room luxury wellness escape, guest rooms range from one- to -four-bedroom villas, all spread across a sprawling 3 million square foot plot. Drawing inspiration from the natural beauty and unique topography of the Red Sea, Miraval The Red Sea promises to promote moments of ‘mindfulness, relaxation, and introspection.’ Sounds blissful. The star attraction will be the Life in Balance Spa, set to be the Red Sea’s largest, complete with 39 treatment rooms, a mangrove boardwalk, walking trails and workshop spaces. In addition to offering a selection of Miraval’s most coveted signature spa treatments and experiences, the spa will offer groundbreaking new treatments, destination-inspired experiences, and a series of innovative wellness programs that pay homage to the rich local culture and heritage of the Middle East.
Fairmont The Red Sea
Situated next to an 18-hole championship golf course, reflecting the close association between the Fairmont brand and world-class golf offerings, is Fairmont The Red Sea. As well as 200 guest rooms, 2,000 square metres of meeting space, a greenhouse and a spa centre, the resort will feature a collection of seven restaurants. Perhaps most interestingly, the culinary portfolio will include overwater restaurants that take advantage of the sweeping sea views.
Raffles Red Sea
Another architectural marvel from the visionary minds of Foster + Partners is Raffles Red Sea, opening on Shura Island in 2024. As with every Raffles in the world, Raffles Red Sea will present bespoke luxurious and personal hospitality. In addition to an array of room and suite options, the resort will offer six restaurants, alongside a fully-fledged spa and extensive 565 square metres of meeting space.
Rosewood Red Sea
As Rosewood Hotels continue to expand across Saudi Arabia, Rosewood Red Sea will open in 2024, welcoming guests into 149 luxurious guest rooms and suites. Elevated food and beverage offerings will include three restaurants, two lounges, a signature Manor Club and a central hub. Additional recreational spaces will include event pavilions and Asaya, Rosewood’s integrative well-being concept consisting of seven treatment rooms, a gym, two movement studios and a yoga pavilion.
SLS Red Sea
SLS will continue its Middle Eastern expansion in 2024 with the opening of SLS The Red Sea. Across 800,000 square feet of single storey accommodation, guests will have the option to book one of 150 hotel rooms, which include 12 suites and 15 villas, the latter of which will range from one- to four-bedrooms. The group behind the brand, Ennismore, have already confirmed that signature culinary offerings Seabird, Fi’lia and Floating World will cater to guests, as will the brand’s Ciel Spa, a fitness centre, Altitude pool and a ballroom.
Sheybarah Resort
In the first phase of development, alongside 11 hotels on Shura Island, one inland hotel and a duo of luxury properties on Ummahat Island, Sheybarah Resort will open on its own private island, also called Sheybarah. Located a 45-minute boat ride from the mainland, the operator for this hotel has yet to be announced, but the futuristic plans for its design, masterminded by Killa Design, have already commanded worldwide attention. Guests will check-in to one of 73 pod-like beach and overwater villas. Driverless buggies will take them to the inner lagoon, where a lobby and all-day dining restaurant will also be found. To get to their villa, guests will head either north or south. To the north, you’ll find the coral reef water villas, beach villas and signature restaurant. The southern boardwalk will take guests to the lagoon villas, and a unique spa experience.