The spectacular setting is located in the desert cliffs.
The Red Sea is one of the most stunning megaprojects in Saudi Arabia, and it has just got more impressive. The development has unveiled images of the soon-to-open Desert Rock Resort, an ultra-luxury hotel in the mountains, and we are buzzing with excitement.
Spanning 30,000 square meters, Desert Rock seamlessly integrates into the rugged terrain, featuring accommodations ranging from pool villas to cliffside retreats. The resort is conveniently located just 20 minutes from Red Sea International Airport, offering the perfect balance of remote tranquillity and easy access.
Desert Rock Resort boasts a spectacular setting, as it is situated within the desert cliffs. The hotel offers 50 villas and 10 rooms—all built into the rock with unobstructed views of the dramatic desert landscape. The options include spacious one- and two-bedroom Wadi Villas with private pools and Cliff Hanging Villas that are perched high above the resort and offer sweeping views of the desert and mountains. Desert Rock’s Mountain Cave Suites are built into the rock face with private plunge pools, while Mountain Crevice Villas are suspended along the mountain’s edge and feature desert views and luxurious private pools. Finally, the Royal Villa is a three-bedroom sanctuary, perfect for families or special celebrations.
Desert Rock’s spa and wellness centre offers treatments inspired by the natural surroundings, including a private hammam, yoga pavilion, and aerial yoga. Adventurous guests can explore the desert through activities like climbing, abseiling, and guided cultural hikes, while families can enjoy tailored excursions and nature walks.
Dining options include Nyra, helmed by acclaimed chef Osman Sezener, showcasing wood-fired cooking and seasonal ingredients. Mica is a sophisticated bar offering creative mocktails and bites, Basalt serves modern Indian cuisine with live entertainment, Wadi is a chic poolside bar and grill with Peruvian-inspired dishes and live DJ sets, and The Observatory is a serene lounge with stargazing, craft mocktails, and gourmet desserts.
A recent LinkedIn post from Josh Pagano, CEO at Red Sea Global, reads: “Desert Rock at night is a sight to behold! We’re counting down the days until we open this unique resort embedded within mountains on the west coast of Saudi Arabia. Blending seamlessly with the landscape, Desert Rock offers 50 villas and 10 rooms — all built into the rock with unobstructed views of the dramatic desert landscape. Our specially designed lighting ensures that guests can enjoy the beauty of the starry sky without impacting the nocturnal environment.”
Chad Oppenheim, founder of Oppenheim Architecture, explained: “Desert Rock is one of the most dramatic desert landscapes in the world, which is why we wanted to use the architecture as a way to honour and respect it. By utilising natural materials and integrating the resort into the rock, guests can connect physically with the destination and experience Saudi Arabia’s stunning, natural beauty.
The Red Sea Project is expected to cover 28,000 kilometres of islands, beaches, deserts, mountains and even volcanos and be a leading destination for eco-luxury. The plan is to have no waste-to-landfill or single-use plastic and be 100 per cent carbon neutral. Three resorts are already open and operating, including Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Six Senses Southern Dunes and The St. Regis Red Sea Resort.
GO: Visit www.redseaglobal.com for more information.
