Banyan Tree AlUla

Banyan Tree is the latest luxury resort to open in the desert oasis of AlUla. It is located in Ashar Valley, a 45-minute drive from the AlUla airport and just a five to ten minute drive from Habitas.

• The rock pool and spa
• The plunge pools in select villas
• The pop-up chef's table experiences in the canyons surrounding the resort

The Banyan Tree philosophy hinges on three concepts: “In-Villa, In-Valley and En-Voyage.” The aim is to immerse guests in a multi-sensory experience throughout the property and its magnificent surroundings. Space is a given at Banyan Tree, and a golf cart is necessary to traverse the resorts sprawling six square kilometers. The ground include 47 tented villas, two restaurants and two reception areas, as well as a beautiful spa, gym and small tranquil rock pool (which was literally created by carving into the canyon).

All villas are done up in desert tones and adorned with authentic, Arabian-inspired handicrafts. The high ceilings are canopied, complementing the ample amount of space: the 28 one-bedroom villas (half of which have a pool) are 829 square feet, the 15 two-bedroom pool villas are a bit larger and the four three-bedroom pool villas are up to 2,583 square feet. Each villa has a terrace with a fire pit and views sweeping either the mountains, valley or Maraya in the distance—and all were angled with privacy in mind. The two- and three- bedroom villas have living areas, outdoor dining and rooms for personal staff. The plethora of villa options make this a great property or families, and all guests desiring a pool would be best off opting for a villa with a pool and the property pool is quite small (though very atmospheric).

The resort has two dining outlets: Harrat, which is open all day and serves a range of cuisine, from Middle Eastern specialities to pastas; andSaffron, Banyan Tree’s signature Thai Restaurant and the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia. Banyan Tree offers a wide experience menu, from the open-air treatments, such as soothing massages in a hidden cave, to pop-up chef’s table experiences in hidden nooks around the canyon. No ask is too large for the staff here.

Families and other travelers seeking more plush and traditional luxury in a resort experience