Kick off 2025 with a rejuvenating retreat in Saudi Arabia, an emerging wellness destination offering a harmonious blend of nature, luxury, and cultural heritage. With awe-inspiring landscapes as the backdrop from lush green mountains and pristine waters to expansive desert dunes, Saudi provides the ideal setting for resetting and recharging. Add to that an abundance of vitamin D, and it becomes a perfect winter escape for the soul.
Saudi’s wellness offerings span diverse regions, delivering bespoke experiences that cater to the mind, body, and spirit. Whether it’s yoga amid the dramatic landscapes of AlUla, soaking in the natural hot springs of Al-Ahsa, or indulging in luxury spa treatments infused with local traditions, Saudi promises unforgettable moments of self-care.
The year also marks the debut of Shebara on the Saudi Red Sea. This new wellness destination redefines luxury with a focus on sustainability and holistic well-being, blending breathtaking coastal vistas with transformative wellness experiences.
The Red Sea: A Haven for Luxury and Relaxation
Shebara: Coastal Bliss
Shebara, the newest jewel along the Saudi Red Sea, features stunning orb-like villas shimmering against turquoise waters. With an ethos rooted in sustainability, its design seamlessly integrates luxury and nature. The resort’s open-air spa offers celestial treatments like the Moonlight Massage, featuring meteorite-infused oils, and the Shebara Signature Journey, a 120-minute ritual using pearl and green caviar for ultimate rejuvenation.
For relaxation, the vitality pool, romantic cabanas, and serene lounges create the perfect oasis. Culinary delights are not far behind, with Michelin-starred chefs delivering world-class dining experiences. Guests can also explore pristine coral reefs, making Shebara a true sanctuary for both relaxation and adventure.
Six Senses Southern Dunes: Desert Serenity
Nestled among the majestic dunes and volcanic craters of Saudi’s Red Sea coast, Six Senses Southern Dunes offers a desert escape like no other. Guests can find peace during meditation and yoga sessions or immerse themselves in the luxurious spa, where treatments reflect the surrounding landscapes. Highlights include workshops on crafting clean skincare products, heated quartz sand therapy, and traditional hammam rituals.
The resort’s five restaurants emphasize locally sourced ingredients, and its Chef’s Garden invites guests to participate in cooking classes. Accessing this serene retreat is effortless with a 45-minute scenic drive from the Red Sea International Airport.
AlUla: Saudi’s Wellness Capital
AlUla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a living museum of 200,000 years of human history. Now a leading wellness destination, AlUla hosts an annual Wellness Festival, drawing visitors to its sustainable retreats and luxury offerings.
Our Habitas AlUla: Immersive Rejuvenation
At Our Habitas AlUla, the Thuraya Wellness Center combines modern techniques with ancestral practices to enhance well-being. Guests can unwind with sunrise yoga, personalized fitness sessions, and treatments crafted using locally sourced oils and herbs. Wellness-focused villas provide easy access to this serene haven, offering added touches like in-room massage services.
Banyan Tree AlUla: Elegance in Nature
For a fitness and wellness-focused getaway, the Banyan Tree AlUla delivers an exceptional experience with its award-winning spa and luxurious tented villas. Treatments blend Asian rituals with Saudi traditions, using natural ingredients that reflect the essence of the region. Guests can swim in a secluded, naturally treated rock pool or stargaze under the desert sky, creating memories to last a lifetime.
Beyond wellness, AlUla offers adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities, iconic landmarks like Elephant Rock, and serene moments like hot air balloon rides or desert stargazing. Its vibrant dining scene includes options like Somewhere and Entrecôte Café de Paris, alongside festivals and concerts at the Maraya Concert Hall, the world’s largest mirrored building.
Nujuma: A Foodies Paradise
Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve marks the first property from the brand in the Middle East and joins an exclusive collection of only six Ritz-Carlton Reserves worldwide, offering a highly personalised leisure experience that blends intuitive and heartfelt service with stunning natural beauty and indigenous design. This slice of paradise is situated on Ummahat Island in the tranquil waters of The Red Sea, nestled within the captivating Blue Hole cluster of islands, where pristine coral reefs thrive beneath the surface and the celestial canopy above paints an endless tapestry of stars. Surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty and designed to blend seamlessly with the environment, the resort features 63 one-to-three-bedroom overwater and beach villas.
Foodies can enjoy an array of culinary outlets, including a specialty seafood restaurant, Tabrah, and Jamaa, a relaxed alfresco space. The resort offers a range of luxurious amenities and exceptional services, including Neyrah spa which is dedicated to holistic wellness, swimming pools, kids club and a variety of other leisure and entertainment offerings including a Conservation House and Stargazing activities. Ritz-Carlton Reserve offers a complete escape to the unexpected: a private and transformative travel experience that is centered around human connection and brings together unique elements of the local culture, heritage and environment.
A Seamless Journey to Saudi
Traveling to Saudi has never been easier, with an expanding eVisa program covering 66 countries, as well as the GCC residents visa and a free 96-hour stopover visa. UK, US, and Schengen visa holders are also eligible for instant eVisas.
Saudi is connected to 175 destinations, with new international routes launched in 2024. Flag carriers like Saudia and British Airways operate flights to major hubs such as Jeddah, Riyadh, and Neom Bay, ensuring a smooth journey for travelers.
To learn more and plan your trip, visit Visit Saudi.
