Travellers planning a future visit to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Project will be spoilt for choice when it comes to where to stay.
The Red Sea Development Company, developer of the mega-tourism project on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, has announced nine new luxury hotels that are set to open during the first phase of the project.
From the sprawling Grand Hyatt to The Edition hotel, the luxury properties offer visitors a variety of accommodation options with a choice of overwater, beachfront and desert locations.
The properties will make up more than half of the 16 hotels under development in the first phase of the project.
While each of the luxury hotels will offer travellers something different when it comes to dining, leisure and facilities, the properties are linked by their commitment to sustainability. This is something that's at the heart of the Red Sea Project, which is one of the most ambitious regenerative projects in the world.
Here's what we know about the nine new hotels set to open in Saudi Arabia …
1. SLS Red Sea
Sister hotel to the recently opened SLS Dubai, the newly announced SLS Red Sea will welcome guests onto Shaura Island at the Red Sea Project in the first quarter of 2023.
The hotel brand is known for its creative luxury and the Saudi property will be no different, with Italian architect Piero Lissoni once again partnering with the playful brand from the SLB hotel group.
There will be 150 hotel rooms, including 12 suites and 15 villas with private pools, a luxury spa, state-of-the-art fitness centre and what the hotel is calling an Altitude Pool. Guests can also look forward to signature SLS culinary and mixology experiences including Seabird, Fi’lia and Floating World.
2. The St Regis Red Sea Resort
The first St Regis hotel to open in the kingdom, The St Regis Red Sea Resort will be located on a private island. This ultra-luxury all-villa resort will open in 2023 and bring travellers a Maldivian-style experience complete with overwater villas and endless ocean views.
It is being designed by Kengo Kuma, the renowned Japanese architect lauded for his ability to merge architecture with nature and social responsibility. The resort will also have two signature restaurants, an outdoor pool, spa and a fitness centre. Youngsters will be able to enjoy their time at the children’s club and guests checking in can expect St Regis’s butler service during their stay.
3. The Red Sea Edition
Ian Schrager’s Edition Hotels are known for their one-of-a-kind properties and The Red Sea Edition will be no different when it opens in 2023.
Located on the Red Sea Project's main island of Shaura, the hotel will have 240 guest rooms, including one, two and three-bedroom suites. A sense of location will be visible throughout the hotel, with designs that reflect the best of the location's cultural and social environment. There will be two restaurants on site as well as a destination bar, private beach with another beach bar, a large swimming pool and a spa for those looking to unwind.
4. Grand Hyatt The Red Sea
Travellers who prefer to have more choice on their doorstep, will want to consider booking a stay at Grand Hyatt The Red Sea.
This sprawling hotel on Shaura Island will be the largest to open in phase one of the Red Sea Project. It will have 430 rooms in total, and offer guests views over the surrounding coastlines. There will be a mix of spacious rooms and suites in this family-friendly resort, which will also have first-class leisure and dining facilities and access to a private beach.
Designed by Foster + Partners, the colourful hotel will follow the British architectural firm's "coral bloom" design for the Red Sea Project, which has been created to resemble a bloom of coral from above.
5. Six Senses Southern Dunes
Nestled in the desert dunes of the Red Sea Project, the Six Senses Southern Dunes is a 76-room resort that makes the most of the region's inland wadis and mountains.
On track to open by the end of 2023, the resort will centre around an Oasis, where the hotel reception, lobby and meeting spaces are. This is also where guests will find the Six Senses Earth Lab, a place to find out more about sustainable initiatives at the hotel such as harnessing renewable energy from the Sun and water preservation.
The luxury resort will have an all-day dining restaurant and there are plans for a cooking school where guests can learn how to create authentic dishes from local ingredients.
Open-plan villas offer from one to four bedrooms with interiors designed to reflect the desert surroundings and each coming with an outdoor terrace to allow travellers the chance to connect with nature. There will also be a Six Senses spa and a swimming pool.
6. Raffles Red Sea
Opening as the first Raffles resort in the kingdom, Raffles Red Sea promises a nature-focused stay on Shaura Island. The resort is also being designed by Foster + Partners and will have a strong sense of location.
With 200 keys in total, the luxury haven will offer a selection of rooms and spacious suites, perfect for couples, friends and families. Set in beautifully landscaped gardens, Raffles Red Sea will also have its own beach club and an extensive spa. There will be six food and beverage venues at the resort, with more details to come on these soon. Guests will enjoy what Raffles is calling a "hyper-personalised" experience during their stay at the five-star hotel.
7. InterContinental Resort Red Sea
No stranger to Saudi Arabia, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts already has 37 hotels in the kingdom and will add another one with the opening of the InterContinental Resort Red Sea. The luxury hotel will be located on Shaura Island and is being designed by Foster + Partners.
Each of the property's 210 sea-facing rooms will give travellers direct beach access; allowing guests to step out on to the sands of the Red Sea from the terrace. There will also be seven different gastronomic experiences, sprawling swimming pools and luxury recreational facilities including a spa and a health club.
8. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts
One of the UAE's favourite hotel groups will open a new resort as part of the Red Sea Project.
Further details on what travellers can expect at the Jumeirah property have not yet been revealed, but we do know it will have 170 rooms and suites, and be located on Shaura Island. It also looks set to have open-plan suites and views over the pristine shorelines of the island.
9. Fairmont Red Sea
Accor's Fairmont Hotel & Resorts is also coming to the kingdom's Red Sea Project. The Fairmont Red Sea is set to be a luxury family-friendly hotel with a focus on wellness and nature. Located on Shaura island, right next to the main golf course, the hotel will have 200 rooms and suites.
It will have seven food and beverage outlets, including overwater restaurants to take advantage of the views of the Red Sea and the surrounding mangroves. The hotel will have over 2,000 square meters of meeting and banqueting space, a greenhouse and a spa centre.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The years Ramadan fell in May
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
RESULTS
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner Thabet Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Blue Diamond, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6.30pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Shoja’A Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Heros De Lagarde, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Profile
Company name: Jaib
Started: January 2018
Co-founders: Fouad Jeryes and Sinan Taifour
Based: Jordan
Sector: FinTech
Total transactions: over $800,000 since January, 2018
Investors in Jaib's mother company Alpha Apps: Aramex and 500 Startups
The five pillars of Islam
Zayed Sustainability Prize
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The years Ramadan fell in May
Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs: 2019 BMW i8 Roadster
Price, base: Dh708,750
Engine: 1.5L three-cylinder petrol, plus 11.6 kWh lithium-ion battery
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 374hp (total)
Torque: 570Nm (total)
Fuel economy, combined: 2.0L / 100km
Most match wins on clay
Guillermo Vilas - 659
Manuel Orantes - 501
Thomas Muster - 422
Rafael Nadal - 399 *
Jose Higueras - 378
Eddie Dibbs - 370
Ilie Nastase - 338
Carlos Moya - 337
Ivan Lendl - 329
Andres Gomez - 322
Past winners of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
2016 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2014 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2012 Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2011 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2010 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2009 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The full list of 2020 Brit Award nominees (winners in bold):
British group
Coldplay
Foals
Bring me the Horizon
D-Block Europe
Bastille
British Female
Mabel
Freya Ridings
FKA Twigs
Charli xcx
Mahalia
British male
Harry Styles
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Michael Kiwanuka
Stormzy
Best new artist
Aitch
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Mabel
Sam Fender
Best song
Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care
Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up
Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant
Dave - Location
Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart
AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove
Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved
Tom Walker - Just You and I
Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger
Stormzy - Vossi Bop
International female
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Camila Cabello
Lana Del Rey
Lizzo
International male
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Tyler, The Creator
Dermot Kennedy
Post Malone
Best album
Stormzy - Heavy is the Head
Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka
Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent
Dave - Psychodrama
Harry Styles - Fine Line
Rising star
Celeste
Joy Crookes
beabadoobee
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier
ICC Academy, November 22-28
UAE fixtures
Nov 22, v Malaysia
Nov 23, v Hong Kong
Nov 25, v Bhutan
Nov 26, v Kuwait
Nov 28, v Nepal
ICC T20I rankings
14. Nepal
17. UAE
25. Hong Kong
34. Kuwait
35. Malaysia
44. Bhutan
UAE squad
Chaya Mughal (captain), Natasha Cherriath, Samaira Dharnidharka, Kavisha Egodage, Mahika Gaur, Priyanjali Jain, Suraksha Kotte, Vaishnave Mahesh, Judit Peter, Esha Rohit, Theertha Satish, Chamani Seneviratne, Khushi Sharma, Subha Venkataraman
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022
A Dog's Journey
Directed by: Gail Mancuso
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Josh Gad, Marg Helgenberger, Betty Gilpin, Kathryn Prescott
3 out of 5 stars
The lowdown
Bohemian Rhapsody
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee
Rating: 3/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Korean Film Festival 2019 line-up
Innocent Witness, June 26 at 7pm
On Your Wedding Day, June 27 at 7pm
The Great Battle, June 27 at 9pm
The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion, June 28 at 4pm
Romang, June 28 at 6pm
Mal Mo E: The Secret Mission, June 28 at 8pm
Underdog, June 29 at 2pm
Nearby Sky, June 29 at 4pm
A Resistance, June 29 at 6pm
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
