Inside: Dar Tantora The House Hotel, AlUla Old Town
The boutique hotel is open for bookings now…
If you’re planning a fuss-free break, pack your bags for AlUla. The Dar Tantora The House Hotel is the latest new AlUla hotel to open, making this the perfect time to (re)visit the city.
The hotel, located in the heart of AlUla’s Old Town, is operated by Kerten Hospitality and features 30 earth-clad dars (rooms) and suites, an infinity pool, a gym, a yoga and meditation studio, and a spa.
The Dar Tantora The House Hotel is also home to Joontos, the property’s signature restaurant. Helmed by Chef Jaume Puigdengolas, Joontos implements a zero-waste philosophy and presents a delightful selection of Saudi-inspired dishes, each crafted with seasonal ingredients sourced from local AlUla farms.
The 30-room boutique eco-community is the world’s first property built entirely using traditional earth construction techniques and materials.
Sustainability is at the core of this low-impact property, which relies on restored irrigation and ventilation systems to minimise energy use and environmental impact.
Architect Shahira Fahmy (Credit: Maxime Seltenrijch)
Designed in collaboration with Egyptian architect Shahira Fahmy, it uses the southern end of the Old Town heritage site, repurposing surviving homes into exquisite multi-level accommodations.
In building Dar Tantora The House Hotel, Shahira worked closely with specialist restoration teams and traditional local craftsmen to restore the original 12th-century structures using mud brick walls, stonework, windows, and historic murals.
Blending traditional architecture with modern touches
A Tantora (traditional sundial) – which inspires the hotel’s name – greets guests at the entrance. For centuries, it served as a timekeeper, setting the pace of daily life and the cultural cadence of AlUla Old Town based on the agrarian seasons. This notion of light and dark has determined the hotel’s design in line with the changing seasons and the regulation of temperature.
Once inside, guests will notice the walls adorned with murals depicting local flora, fauna, household items, festive customs, calligraphy, and abstract symbols, alongside joyful motifs connected to themes of abundance and happiness. The community traditionally painted these celebratory murals as a wedding gift for newlywed couples to decorate their new home.
You’ll find artworks from students of AlUla’s nearby Madrasat Addeera being displayed, immersing guests in the artistic and cultural heritage of AlUla.
The hotel also currently displays three artworks that have been curated by Creative Dialogue and the artworks of Gregory Chatonsky that incorporate Sadu, the traditional Bedouin embroidery technique using hand-woven dyed camel hair formed into geometrical shapes for a variety of textiles.
What’s great about the rooms is the unique layout, as seen in its duplex bedrooms. They mirror traditional domestic life in AlUla Old Town, with bedrooms upstairs and living/working areas below.
With limited electricity, the rooms are naturally ventilated and illuminated by candlelight, creating a serene and eco-friendly ambience.
Other design elements like terraces, rooftops, Maqha rooftop café, and the infinity pool maximise views of the oasis, surrounding rocks and the night skies – perfect for stargazing.
Room rates at Dar Tantora The House Hotel start from SAR1,260 per night, based on single occupancy (summer rates), including breakfast and all taxes.
Dar Tantora The House Hotel, 375 Old Town, 43562, AlUla. @dartantora
Visit: DarTantora.co
Images: Suplied / Maxime Seltenrijch