• Luxury resort Banyan Tree has opened in Saudi Arabia's historical city AlUla; it puts well-being at the centre of its operations. All photos: Banyan Tree AlUla
    Luxury resort Banyan Tree has opened in Saudi Arabia's historical city AlUla; it puts well-being at the centre of its operations. All photos: Banyan Tree AlUla
  • A total of 79 tents are spread across the resort, each inspired by the nomadic lifestyle of the Nabataeans, the traders who settled in the area around the 6th century BC.
    A total of 79 tents are spread across the resort, each inspired by the nomadic lifestyle of the Nabataeans, the traders who settled in the area around the 6th century BC.
  • The property is the first for Banyan Tree Group, known for its high-end resorts around the world, and was developed by the Royal Commission for AlUla.
    The property is the first for Banyan Tree Group, known for its high-end resorts around the world, and was developed by the Royal Commission for AlUla.
  • Guests can choose from four types of villas — one bedroom, one bedroom with pool, two bedroom with pool or three bedroom with pool.
    Guests can choose from four types of villas — one bedroom, one bedroom with pool, two bedroom with pool or three bedroom with pool.
  • The striking Maraya building is located a few metres away from Banyan Tree AlUla.
    The striking Maraya building is located a few metres away from Banyan Tree AlUla.
  • The king room in a two-bedroom villa.
    The king room in a two-bedroom villa.
  • A one bedroom villa's living room.
    A one bedroom villa's living room.
  • View from the living room of the three-bedroom villa.
    View from the living room of the three-bedroom villa.
  • A one-bedroom villa at Banyan Tree AlUla.
    A one-bedroom villa at Banyan Tree AlUla.
  • The bathroom in a one-bedroom villa.
    The bathroom in a one-bedroom villa.
  • A twin bedroom in a three-bedroom villa.
    A twin bedroom in a three-bedroom villa.
  • Most of the villas in the resort come with their own pools.
    Most of the villas in the resort come with their own pools.
  • View from a twin bedroom in a three-bedroom villa.
    View from a twin bedroom in a three-bedroom villa.
  • A twin bedroom in a three-bedroom villa.
    A twin bedroom in a three-bedroom villa.
  • The entry to the spa.
    The entry to the spa.
  • The rock pool.
    The rock pool.
  • The rock pool is framed by two majestic mountains.
    The rock pool is framed by two majestic mountains.
  • The striking rock pool at the Banyan Tree AlUla spa at night.
    The striking rock pool at the Banyan Tree AlUla spa at night.
  • The spa also offers outdoor treatments amidst the sandstone mountains.
    The spa also offers outdoor treatments amidst the sandstone mountains.
  • The living room in a two-bedroom villa.
    The living room in a two-bedroom villa.
  • A one-bedroom villa.
    A one-bedroom villa.
  • The second bathroom in a three-bedroom villa.
    The second bathroom in a three-bedroom villa.
  • The back deck of a two-bedroom villa.
    The back deck of a two-bedroom villa.
  • The back deck of a three-bedroom villa.
    The back deck of a three-bedroom villa.

Banyan Tree AlUla is a luxury desert escape in a historic setting — Hotel Insider


  • English
  • Arabic

If the ancient Nabataeans were still flourishing today, with all their advanced skills and ways of life, they probably would have approved of the Banyan Tree AlUla.

In fact, the 300-hectare, all-tent luxury resort was inspired by the Bedouin tribe who roamed the same land thousands of years ago.

Set in the Ashar Valley, Banyan Tree AlUla officially opened last Friday with a glitzy ceremony that included a private performance by Mariah Carey. Made up of 79 luxury tents spread across the resort, each inspired by the nomadic lifestyle of the Nabataeans, it's a desert escape that puts well-being at its centre, while also paying homage to its historical surroundings, which include striking rock formations and the Unesco World Heritage site Hegra.

The National checked in to find out what it has to offer ...

The welcome

The back deck of a one-bedroom villa. Photo: Banyan Tree AlUla
The back deck of a one-bedroom villa. Photo: Banyan Tree AlUla

A 40-minute drive from AlUla International Airport through surreal landscapes transports visitors to Banyan Tree AlUla. The first Banyan Tree Group property in Saudi Arabia, the resort's location is unlike any other, set amid rolling dunes and AlUla's otherworldly landscape.

The resort is split into two sections, north and south pavilions, each snaking out into opposite directions through the craggy landscape, and providing each tented villa with a space of its own. The two pavilions are both served by their own reception areas, where guests are checked in in record time and then driven off by buggies to their private villas.

The neighbourhood

Banyan Tree AlUla joins a number of world-class resorts now open in the Ashar Valley, developed by the Royal Commission for AlUla, including Habitas AlUla. The Singapore-owned Banyan Tree brand is known for its high-end properties around the world and for popularising pool villas.

Ashar Valley is also home to the stunning multi-purpose venue Maraya, the world's largest mirrored building, located a few metres away from the resort, and visible from many of its vantage points.

The villas

View from the living room of a three-bedroom villa. Photo: Banyan Tree AlUla
View from the living room of a three-bedroom villa. Photo: Banyan Tree AlUla

Guests can choose from four types of villas — one bedroom, one bedroom with pool, two bedroom with pool or three bedroom with pool — with sizes ranging from 77 square metres to 240 square metres for the three-bedroom.

With sustainability at its core, the tented villas come with timber doors and finishings, which hark back to traditional Bedouin homes, as well as locally made handicrafts and decor. Everything within the villa is eco-friendly, including the all-important toiletries, featuring wooden toothbrushes and toothpaste tablets in glass jars, instead of plastic.

The service

Despite a few opening week glitches, staff at Banyan Tree AlUla are willing to please, acknowledging every guest with a hand on their heart even while zooming past each other on the resort's winding pathways during the many buggy rides guests are bound to take.

As the villas are spread across the property, access to other amenities, including restaurants and the spa and pool, are all via buggy. But they generally arrive swiftly with one call to guest services.

The scene

The spa offers outdoor treatments amid the sandstone mountains. Photo: Banyan Tree AlUla
The spa offers outdoor treatments amid the sandstone mountains. Photo: Banyan Tree AlUla

Banyan Tree properties are known for their well-being-focused facilities, making the spa one of their main highlights. At the spa in AlUla, there's plenty for guests to do, from massages in secluded caves and soothing sound baths under the stars to a dip in the Insta-worthy rock pool, located between two sandstone mountains, with views of the valley.

The striking rock pool. Photo: Banyan Tree AlUla
The striking rock pool. Photo: Banyan Tree AlUla

For those looking for a little bit of an adventure, visitors can try a vintage plane or helicopter ride, flying over AlUla's historical sites, with the possibility to extend the journey as far as the Red Sea. Guests can also request picnics in the sky aboard a floating hot air balloon.

The food

The resort features two dining venues: Saffron, Banyan Tree’s famed Thai restaurant, and Harrat, the all-day dining restaurant that serves international cuisine.

The insider tip

Go soon before everyone else discovers it.

The verdict

The setting and landscape alone are worth the trip. But villas are quite secluded and there are minimal opportunities for interaction with other guests, so if you're likely to get bored of your own company, take someone with you.

The bottom line

A one-night stay in a one-bedroom villa at Banyan Tree AlUla starts at Dh5,836, inclusive of breakfast; banyantree.com/saudi-arabia/alula

This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel during the global coronavirus pandemic. It reflects hotel standards during this time. Services may change in the future

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Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

MATCH INFO

Burnley 1 (Brady 89')

Manchester City 4 (Jesus 24', 50', Rodri 68', Mahrez 87')

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

Indoor cricket in a nutshell

Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side

8 There are eight players per team

There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.

5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls

Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs

B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run

Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs

Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

HIV on the rise in the region

A 2019 United Nations special analysis on Aids reveals 37 per cent of new HIV infections in the Mena region are from people injecting drugs.

New HIV infections have also risen by 29 per cent in western Europe and Asia, and by 7 per cent in Latin America, but declined elsewhere.

Egypt has shown the highest increase in recorded cases of HIV since 2010, up by 196 per cent.

Access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is well below the global average.  

Few statistics have been published on the number of cases in the UAE, although a UNAIDS report said 1.5 per cent of the prison population has the virus.

If you go

The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at. 
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.   

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Company%20profile
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

FIGHT CARD

Fights start from 6pm Friday, January 31

Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) v Ahmed Saeb (IRQ)

Women’s bantamweight
Cornelia Holm (SWE) v Corinne Laframboise (CAN)

Welterweight
Omar Hussein (JOR) v Vitalii Stoian (UKR)

Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) v Ali Dyusenov (UZB)

Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) v Delfin Nawen (PHI)

Catchweight 80kg​​​​​​​
Seb Eubank (GBR) v Mohamed El Mokadem (EGY)

Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Ramadan Noaman (EGY)

Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) v Reydon Romero (PHI)

Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Juho Valamaa (FIN)

Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) v Austin Arnett (USA)

Super heavyweight
Roman Wehbe (LEB) v Maciej Sosnowski (POL)

The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo

Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm

Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Price: from Dh498,542

On sale: now

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

Secret Pigeon Service: Operation Colomba, Resistance and the Struggle to Liberate Europe
Gordon Corera, Harper Collins

SPECS

Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR

Engine: 5.7-litre V8

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 362hp

Torque: 530Nm

Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)

Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Updated: October 27, 2022, 7:38 AM