Our Habitas AlUla

12 Best Hotels and Resorts in Africa and the Middle East, According to Our Editors | Condé Nast Traveler

"For all of Saudi Arabia’s whiplash reinvention—transforming in the span of a few years from a place with no cinemas or tourism into a nation hosting electronic music festivals and cultural seasons that draw millions each year—it is the otherworldly, sandstone-strewn landscape of AlUla that has emerged as its crown jewel. At its heart is this Habitas property, unfurling in a sweep of low-slung, earth-toned villas that seem to dissolve into the burnt-sugar cliffs. Its interiors reveal earthy red textiles, desert-hued ceramics, and design features echoing the artistry of Hegra’s UNESCO-listed tombs, a 20-minute drive away. Dip into the hotel’s infinity pool (a showstopping ribbon of turquoise) and take a complimentary e-bike to ride past colorful art installations by the likes of Lita Albuquerque and Manal Aldowayan that dot the valley. This is the new Saudi Arabia—rooted in history but with a modern flourish that rewards travelers exploring tourism’s newest frontier. From $346. —Scott Campbell" - CNT Editors