Thuwal Private Retreat will be an exclusive, buy-out-only island on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. Photo: Red Sea Global
Thuwal Private Retreat will be an exclusive, buy-out-only island on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. Photo: Red Sea Global
Thuwal Private Retreat will be an exclusive, buy-out-only island on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. Photo: Red Sea Global
Thuwal Private Retreat will be an exclusive, buy-out-only island on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. Photo: Red Sea Global

Red Sea Global reveals exclusive island to welcome guests next year


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Red Sea Global, the developer behind one of the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism projects, has said it will launch an exclusive island destination next year.

Thuwal Private Retreat, on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, will only be available for guests to buy out.

The 1.7-hectare sandy islet is in a coral archipelago in the west of the kingdom. It will feature a three-bedroom villa, three one-bedroom suites, a beach club, gym and a wellness centre.

There are no third-party hospitality or hotel operators involved as it will be owned, operated and managed by Red Seal Global – a first for the company – and sit separately to The Red Sea and Amaala.

The island features one three-bedroom villa and three one-bedroom suites. Photo: Red Sea Global
The island features one three-bedroom villa and three one-bedroom suites. Photo: Red Sea Global

“This is a milestone for us personally,” said John Pagano, chief executive of Red Sea Global. “It is the latest project we can reveal since we announced our expanded portfolio of projects last year and it is significantly advanced in terms of delivery.”

The retreat focuses on luxury alongside conscious sustainability, inspired by a noted growing demand for exclusive-use properties. As an example, the executive chef has been tasked with preparing meals using fresh and locally sourced ingredients, but also collaborating with artisans in the area to design unique dining experiences.

Due to its location near coral reefs, activities will include snorkelling, while visits to the nearby village of Thuwal or Jeddah can also be organised.

“Thuwal Private Retreat has been created to allow guests the chance to disconnect from the stresses of daily life, and instead reconnect with their closest companions,” said Pagano. “Our belief is that the sublime Red Sea coast combined with tailored luxury experiences will deliver a peerless escape for the most discerning travellers.”

The retreat has been designed for guests to switch off. Photo: Red Sea Global
The retreat has been designed for guests to switch off. Photo: Red Sea Global

The Red Sea development was announced as the kingdom’s newest tourism megaproject by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2017. It has since been developed over 28,000 square kilometres of land and includes an archipelago of more than 90 islands, promising pristine coastlines, unrivalled marine life and a variety of upscale accommodation options.

It will also be served by the Red Sea International Airport, which welcomed its inaugural flight last month. Six Senses Southern Dunes will become the first hotel in the project to open when it launches next month.

Amaala is a separate development that will focus on luxury tourism and wellness, also on Saudi Arabia’s west coast. Amaala aims to be a year-round destination and phase one of the project is under way, and ready to welcome its first guests next year. It will be home to eight resorts offering upwards of 1,200 rooms keys.

When it is completed in 2027, it will have more than 25 hotels, luxury residences, fine-dining restaurants and wellness and recreational facilities.

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Best strike-rate: 12.83 – Andrew Tye

Best strike-rate in an innings: 1.50 – Suresh Raina (for Chennai Super Kings against Rajasthan Royals in 2011)

Most runs conceded in an innings: 70 – Basil Thampi (for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018)

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Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
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Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

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The design

The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.

More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.

The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.

The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.

A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.

Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.

Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.

Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.

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Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019. 

Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.

Results
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Updated: October 24, 2023, 12:25 PM