Nujuma, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve In Saudi Arabia’s Pink Sea

We all know that Saudi Arabia is investing an unprecedented sum of money to spice up its tourism business. An enormous a part of that is the Pink Sea Undertaking, which covers 28,000 sq. kilometers on the west coast of the nation, and contains an archipelago of greater than 90 pure islands. The aim is to construct dozens of resorts right here by 2030.

Many main luxurious lodge teams have dedicated to opening properties right here, and we’re slowly beginning to see them open. Just lately we noticed the opening of the St. Regis Pink Sea Resort. Now we’re seeing the opening of an excellent larger finish Marriott property, which additionally has overwater villas.

Let me emphasize that I’m writing about this not as a result of I feel everybody ought to instantly plan a trip in Saudi Arabia, however somewhat as a result of I discover this complete growth to be form of fascinating, and am curious the way it evolves.

Fundamentals of Saudi Arabia’s Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, has began accepting reservations for stays as of June 1, 2024 (because of Atlas for flagging this). The resort might be positioned on a non-public island in Saudi Arabia, and can function 63 beachfront and overwater villas, starting from one to a few bedrooms. On high of that, the property could have 18 branded properties.

All lodging right here could have a non-public pool. Entry degree villas are marketed as being 1,625 sq. toes (151 sq. meters), although I assume that features each indoor and out of doors house.

Particulars concerning the resort’s facilities are restricted as of now. We all know there would be the Neyrah Spa, Conservation Home, and Galaxea Diving Middle. There will even be a number of eating venues, although I haven’t but seen particulars about what these will embody.

For the reason that Ritz-Carlton Reserve is on a non-public island, it’ll take a little bit of effort to get there. The resort recommends arriving by yacht (which might be organized by means of the property), or alternatively, a seaplane switch might be organized.

The easiest way to get to the realm generally is to fly to Pink Sea Worldwide Airport (RSI), which is presently served by Saudia nonstop from Jeddah (JED) with 2x weekly flights and Riyadh (RUH) with 3x weekly flights.

Ritz-Carlton Reserve Pink Sea Resort charges & factors necessities

Charges on the Ritz-Carlton Reserve Pink Sea Resort are jaw-droppingly excessive. Charges presently begin at ~$2,500 per night time (beneath charges are in SAR, and it’s roughly a 4:1 trade fee), and that’s in case you’re visiting within the peak of summer season, when it’s unpleasantly scorching.

If you wish to redeem factors at this property, it’s not a discount both. Absolutely the lowest nightly fee I see is ~180,000 factors, whereas on many nights the resort is charging nicely over 200,000 factors per night time. Yow.

For what it’s value, I worth Marriott Bonvoy factors at 0.7 cents every. So I suppose you come out barely forward in comparison with paying money, although these are nonetheless among the many highest factors charges you’ll discover at any Marriott properties.

Happily Ritz-Carlton Reserve participates in Marriott Bonvoy these days, as that wasn’t the case up till a few years in the past.

It’s going to be fascinating to see how this develops

I’m intrigued by Saudi Arabia’s try and develop its tourism business. That’s not as a result of I’m a cheerleader for Saudi Arabia, however somewhat as a result of we’ve by no means seen a rustic make investments a lot cash in tourism so rapidly, all whereas admittedly having a little bit of a status difficulty within the West.

It’s unbelievable what number of resorts are slated to open within the Pink Sea Undertaking within the close to future, from a 4 Seasons, to a Rosewood, to an EDITION, to a Miraval, to a Grand Hyatt, to an InterContinental, to a Fairmont, and plenty of extra.

As of now we solely have renderings of the Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and I can’t assist however marvel if it’ll look something like this in particular person, or if folks might be disenchanted. Moreover, the logistics simply don’t appear very ironed out but, given you presently have a complete of 5 weekly flights to this airport.

Beneath is a video with the progress of this growth as of a number of months in the past.