:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/thenational/SFV6JO4FZJTINHONEAVFG5FREU.jpg)
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/thenational/5aa171d9-e19e-4724-894f-afdab957726f.png)
Luxury hotel group Aman is set to make its Middle Eastern debut in Saudi Arabia, opening three eco-focused resorts in the kingdom's historic Al Ula region.
In partnership with the Royal Commission for Al Ula, Aman announced that work will commence in the coming months at each of the three new resorts. All of the properties are slated to welcome overnight guests by 2023.
One resort will be a luxury tented camp, another will be close to Al Ula’s heritage areas and the third property is being designed as a unique interpretation of a desert ranch-style hotel.
Each of the properties will offer striking architecture coupled with the high levels of luxury that the Singapore hotel group is renowned for.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/thenational/OAW4WWLNHVOSLOR2LFMRGPI63Q.jpg)
Eco-friendly focus
At each of the resorts, strict eco-tourism restrictions put in place by the Royal Commission of Al Ula to protect the region will be closely observed. Stretching across more than 20,000 square kilometres and consisting of green valleys, towering sandstone mountains and ancient cultural sites that date back thousands of years, Al Ula is one of Saudi Arabia's most fascinating landscapes.
The area is also home to the first Unesco World Heritage site in the country. Hegra is a 52-hectare village that was once the southern capital of the Nabataean kingdom. Here, visitors will be able to see more than 100 well-preserved tombs with intricate facades cut from sandstone outcrops.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/thenational/5DAZM2MHJQP5EZNDV6K6YFTK5Q.jpg)
Vladislav Doronin, chairman and CEO of Aman, said: “With the addition of spectacular Al Ula, this takes us to 10 properties situated near or in Unesco Heritage Sites, making it a fitting location for our first destination in the Middle East.
"Aman is committed to preserving this archaeological wonder with our resorts that will blend into the dramatic surroundings. As part of Aman’s pathfinder spirit, we have a continued mission not only to curate resorts of architectural distinction, but to seek out and introduce our guests to new destinations and experiences.”
The new resorts will join Al Sharaan Nature Reserve in the same region. The Royal Commission of Al Ula previously announced plans for this nature reserve and luxury resort which is being designed by Pritzker Prize-winning French architect Jean Nouvel – the same man that created Louvre Abu Dhabi.
_________________
Read more:
Adventurers will soon be able to go caving in Saudi Arabia
Four Unesco sites to visit in Saudi Arabia
Spot the difference: two Arabian leopard cubs born in Saudi Arabia
_________________