Habitas Alula unveiled the next "home" in the unknown Alura region of northwestern Saudi Arabia. Habitas Alula is located in an ancient oasis in the desert canyon of the Ashar Valley, surrounded by sandstone cliffs and palm groves. The tranquil holiday path leads guests to 96 rooms on three levels, as well as a yoga deck, health and fitness centre, restaurant and swimming pool.
Each space is made up of organic materials that blend seamlessly with the natural environment. Minimally invasive building models, as well as sustainable construction methods for properties, are Habas' calling card. Modularly constructed, low-impact design, it provides organic spaces where a variety of meaningful experiences can be comfortably lived. Habitas AlUla is the embodiment of the brand's six programming pillars, music, wellness, adventure, culture, learning and cooking, all of which have been carefully developed to immerse guests in the authentic cultural and natural environment of the region. This is illustrated by programming suitable for art and cultural walking, canyon trekking, yoga, meditation, and breathing. Habitas will leverage its musical roots to create and curate sounds from the region's unique talents and showcase them to guests through the medium of the concert series.
In addition to hosting public discussion lectures related to local initiatives, culture and history, guests are invited to screen weekly outdoor cinema screenings featuring regional cultural films and documentaries to collect and expand their knowledge of this historic area. Many artistic and cultural events, such as the curated works of Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim, SuperFlex and Nadim Karam, complement these learning experiences. This also includes a guided stroll through the remains of an ancient city where the Nabataeans once lived.
Located on the original pilgrimage route to Mecca, AlUla is described as an open-air museum and covers an area of 22,561 square kilometers, shrouded in both the immense beauty of the natural world and the dramatic splendor of human creation. This ancient site has been a center of trade and cultural exchange for thousands of years, and to this day there are traces of people who have passed through the years. Alura is home to thousands of cemeteries, including 100 graves, 94 of which are still inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra. They stand majestically in behemoth structures carved and refined by natural elements. Alula will welcome several new resorts in the coming months, including the extraordinary underground hotel, by Jean Nouvel in 2024, which will sustainably carve out millions of years of rock.