Ashar Valley, Saudi Arabia
Habitas AlUla
Modernist Mecca
What it is
An all-villa hideaway amid an ancient ochre sandstone canyon, with Middle Eastern-inspired wellness programs and a fiercely locavore restaurant.
What it isn't
Mundane. Activities here include guided jaunts through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra; stargazing with the pros; camel rides through the desert and more.
What we think
If you’ve ever wanted to combine the old world ornate luxuries of an Arabian tented suite with, say, MoMA, this is your spot. Art and creativity is everywhere here, as omnipresent as the sun. Each sustainably-built villa is fringed by towering sandstone cliffs and fitted with a private deck, outdoor shower, king beds, and plush and comforting touches, like dense carpets and plenty of cushions for lounging. And while they’re an idyllic spot for taking in the sunrise with mint tea or binge reading “One Thousand and One Nights,” we don’t expect you’ll spend much time in your villa…not when the guest programming is so rich. On any given week, the schedule might include classes on meditation, hatha yoga or even a sound bath as transfixing as the starry skies here.
You're here because
The spa takes its cues from the surrounding landscape and indigenous customs, with treatments that include date oil, prickly pear, sweet almond and more. (Don’t miss the Date Seed Body Scrub, which will leave you feeling completely reborn.)
The Moment
You’ve been obsessed with Mediterranean food since you first indulged in shakshuka. But the locavore dishes here—including pickled beet hummus with housemade naan and garlic shrimp with black mustard caviar—are nothing less than unforgettable.
Restaurants & Bars
Tama - Our dishes infuse Global & Middle Eastern cuisine, using local, fresh ingredients and spices once traded along the incense route, bringing Saudi Arabia’s unique flavors to life.
Location
A very private oasis within the Ashar Valley canyons, just a 50 minute drive from the Alula International Airport.