Our Habitas AlUla

The word “spectacular” hardly seems up to the task of describing Habitas AlUla, an extraordinary collection of 96 luxury villas in a box canyon in the Ashar Valley of Saudi Arabia. Some resorts use the word “oasis” figuratively but here it’s entirely apt; its founders met at Burning Man, and this is, in a way, the ultra-luxe version of the desert festival, complete with impressive outdoor artworks and an array of immersive outdoor and/or cultural experiences.

In the villas themselves you’ll find luxury-hotel comforts and a style that’s one part contemporary and one part traditional. Each one has its own shaded outdoor space for enjoying the early morning and late afternoon hours. There’s a spa offering a variety of regionally informed treatments, as well as yoga classes — the Habitas hotels are more about connection than solitude.

To that end the activities are group-focused, and include hikes, camel rides, ATV tours, and visits to Hegra, an archaeological site, and visits to the historic center of AlUla, a half-hour’s drive to the south. Another social space is the incredibly photogenic swimming pool, and the restaurant, Tama, serves a locally sourced menu of Middle Eastern and international dishes.