
AlUla unveils limited-time offers on summer escapes in its most coveted villas and suites
This summer, the luxury oasis destination of AlUla is offering guests the best value on hotels stays for the year, making it the perfect time to book the finest villas and suites.
Trade busy cities for serene landscapes and star-filled skies while enjoying exceptional value on spacious, stylish stays designed for families, friends and couples seeking privacy and relaxation.
From Nabataean-inspired pool retreats at Hegra to telescope-equipped hideaways deep in the desert, every five-star address in AlUla delivers generous indoor-outdoor living, sweeping views and an authentic sense of place.
Here are the top suites and villas to enjoy this season:
The Chedi Hegra – Two-Bedroom Pool Villa: Set within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra, this expansive sanctuary mirrors the ornate facades of ancient rock-cut monuments. Two king bedrooms with private bathrooms frame elegant Saudi-style living and dining rooms, finished in calming earthen tones and natural textures. Outside, a private swimming pool and terrace look onto golden sands and towering formations, while smart lighting, climate controls, custom amenities and round-the-clock butler service ensure effortless comfort.
Banyan Tree AlUla – Three-Bedroom Villa: Experience the heights of opulence with a 240-sqm tented residence that blends desert tranquillity with refined design. The super-king master suite and two twin-queen bedrooms open onto a 10-seater dining area that flows onto a wide pool terrace lined with sun loungers. A dedicated room for personal staff guarantees discreet service, making the villa ideal for intimate gatherings and extended stays alike.
Our Habitas AlUla – Celestial Villa: Created for night-sky enthusiasts, the Celestial Villa comes with its own telescope and generous spaces for lounging, entertaining and absorbing the drama of sandstone cliffs at sunset. It is a front-row seat to AlUla's famous dark skies and fiery horizons. While at the resort, guests can access daily mindfulness experiences and book luxury treatments at the Thuraya Wellness for ultimate revitalisation.
Dar Tantora The House Hotel – Dar Al Oud: This ethereal heritage-inspired two-bedroom room circles a private terrace and channels centuries of local craftsmanship. Hailed in 2024 in TIME Magazine 2024 travel list of World's Greatest Places, the buildings in this special part of Old Town have been meticulously restored into the boutique-style eco-lodge. While the on-site spa completes its final touches, Dar Tantora brings wellness to the doorstep with bespoke in-room treatments.
Cloud7 Residence AlUla – Deluxe Bungalow: Enjoy the accessible luxury of a 38-sqm top-floor retreat featuring a queen bed, cosy living room, fully equipped kitchenette and 55-inch TV with premium channels. Daily laundry, housekeeping and complimentary Wi-Fi add seamless ease, while a private balcony frames sweeping desert vistas.
Shaden Resort – The Royal Suite (Charles Suite): Experience the opulence and privacy of a 250-square-meter private retreat set in AlUla's dramatic canyons. With five master bedrooms, a guest room - all with en-suite bathrooms - this luxurious suite features a private garden, swimming pool, kitchen, dining area and exclusive entrance. Offering total seclusion and elegance, it's designed for discerning guests seeking comfort, privacy and breathtaking views of natural landscapes.
With unbeatable room rates, serene landscapes and a plethora of immersive cultural and night-time experiences, summer is the perfect time to recharge and reflect amid AlUla's restorative ambience.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Gulf Today
8 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Wadi Al Helo, Mleiha top priorities for world heritage
Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA) is working relentlessly and sparing no effort after the global achievement of Al Faya being included on the Unesco's World Heritage List, said Eisa Yousef, director general of SAA. He revealed future plans to highlight the exceptional value of other sites, most notably Wadi Al Helo in the Eastern Region and Mleiha archaeological site in the Central Region, both of which are on Unesco's tentative list. Yousef explained the success of Al Faya's nomination file with support from 13 of the 21 countries on the World Heritage Committee, which represents international recognition of the authenticity and importance of the site. He pointed out that this achievement brings strategic gains for the UAE and Sharjah since it highlights the region as a pivotal part of human history, encourages the attraction of specialised and sustainable cultural tourism and provides diverse job opportunities such as specialised tour guides. These goals are achieved through close institutional co-operation as embodied in the key role played by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) through the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority through the Jebel Buhais Geology Park and by Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority in promoting tourism destinations, he said. Recently, Simona-Mirela Miculescu, President of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), commended the pioneering role played by the United Arab Emirates in protecting and preserving cultural and natural heritage both nationally and globally. She affirmed that the UAE is a key partner of the Paris-based organisation and a model to be emulated in this field. This praise came during an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM) in Paris, where Miculescu expressed her appreciation for the UAE's recent success in inscribing the Faya Palaeolandscape in Sharjah on the Unesco World Heritage List. Miculescu described this achievement as a powerful message reflecting the UAE's deep commitment to preserving shared human memory and recognising the value of heritage sites as bridges for dialogue and understanding between peoples. She emphasised that the UAE's role extends beyond its national borders, stating: 'The UAE not only protects its own national heritage but also takes the initiative to help safeguard global heritage. This reflects its civilisational vision and ethical responsibility toward all humanity.' Miculescu noted that the UAE is among Unesco's principal partners, having provided clear support for major international initiatives, including the rehabilitation of heritage sites damaged by conflict, particularly in the Arab region. Regarding the exceptional value of the Faya archaeological site, Miculescu explained: 'Faya is not merely an archaeological site. It stands as evidence of early stages in human development and illustrates human interaction with the natural environment in an area of exceptional geological and cultural significance.' She highlighted that what makes the site distinctive is its direct connection to the first human migrations from Africa to Asia — a critical phase in human history that continues to be the subject of intense academic study. The documented discoveries at the site, she added, offer rich material for researchers and anthropologists. The Unesco official praised the efforts that led to this international recognition, saying: 'Its inscription on the World Heritage List is a highly significant step, made possible by meticulous scientific work and long-term efforts by the UAE in collaboration with international experts, all in accordance with Unesco's rigorous standards. The UAE's nomination file was comprehensive and compelling, and we highly value this level of professionalism.' She also applauded the UAE's approach to integrating heritage preservation with sustainable development plans, emphasising that the country sets an example of how heritage sites can serve as a foundation for both cultural and economic development. This is achieved through investment in sustainable tourism and by involving local communities in the management and protection of these sites. She described the UAE's experience as a model for other countries in the region and around the world.


Zawya
9 hours ago
- Zawya
MoneyGram and Bank AlJazira partner to expand cross-border money movement in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: MoneyGram, a leading global payments network for consumers, businesses and communities, today announced resuming money transfer services with Bank AlJazira, a leading bank in Saudi Arabia. This partnership expands access to physical and digital cross-border money movement solutions across the Kingdom, supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and its goal of building an inclusive, digitally empowered economy. Now, Bank AlJazira's customers can send money to over 200 countries and territories via the bank's digital channels or at FAWRI Retail locations where they can also receive money across the Kingdom, providing convenience for Saudi nationals, residents and visitors. Powered by MoneyGram's global payments network and world-class APIs, customers benefit from a range of transfer methods, including bank accounts, mobile wallet and cash pick up. This announcement of receive service supports millions of visitors who travel to Saudi Arabia year-round for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, business or tourism. This highlights MoneyGram's strategic focus on enabling inbound remittance services into the Kingdom and serving a broad range of customers from around the world. 'Over the past decade, MoneyGram has partnered with the Kingdom's leading fintechs, mobile wallets and banks to deliver a broad range of cross-border solutions,' said Ahmed Aly, Head of Middle East, South Asia & Asia Pacific at MoneyGram. 'Today, we're proud of our partnership with Bank AlJazira – a trusted brand with strong technological capabilities – to advance our mission of connecting the world by making the movement of money across borders seamless, affordable and reliable for everyone.' Recipients of funds sent from Saudi Arabia will benefit from flexible payout options – whether picking up cash at one of MoneyGram's 480,000+ global retail locations or receiving funds across five billion digital endpoints 'This collaboration delivers greater value to our customers by offering faster and more reliable international money transfer services. It strengthens our commitment to providing seamless and reliable financial solutions, ensuring we meet the evolving needs of our customers, both locally and globally,' said Fahad AlMuteri, Head of Digital Banking at Bank AlJazira. Remittances from Saudi Arabia rose to $4.13B in March 2024, marking a 29.61% year-on-year increase and the highest monthly level recorded in nearly nine years 1. Approximately 42% of the Kingdom's population are immigrants, many of whom have relocated for economic opportunities. These expatriates primarily send money to key remittance corridors, such as India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt and Yemen. -END- About MoneyGram MoneyGram connects the world by making the movement of money across borders seamless, affordable and secure for everyone. Each year, the company serves more than 50 million people in over 200 countries and territories. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with offices in 36 countries, MoneyGram is globally recognized for its high-performance culture and has been honored as a Top Workplaces USA award winner for four consecutive years. MoneyGram Media Contact media@ About Bank AlJazira Bank AlJazira (BAJ) is recognized as one of the leading Shariah compliant fast growing financial institutions in Saudi Arabia, client-driven and service-oriented Saudi Financial Group which provides individuals, businesses and institutions with innovative Shariah compliant financial services through professional and dedicated staff. 1 Arab News 'Saudi Arabia's expat remittances hit near 9-year high at $4.13bn in March'


Zawya
9 hours ago
- Zawya
The Integrated Transport Centre expands operation of autonomous taxis to Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands
Abu Dhabi on Tuesday – As part of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council's (SASC) strategy, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), has announced the expansion of autonomous taxi services to include Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands, in collaboration with WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving technology, as well as Uber and Tawasul Transport as the local operator of the project. The initiative supports Abu Dhabi's efforts to develop an AI-powered mobility system to reinforce its position as a regional hub for smart mobility and innovation, as part of Abu Dhabi's smart transport strategy, which aims to create a sustainable and smart mobility environment that serves both residents and visitors in the emirate. With this latest expansion, autonomous taxi services now cover about half of Abu Dhabi's core areas, supporting Abu Dhabi's strategic vision to make 25% of trips in the emirate rely on smart transport by 2040. The service is intended to introduce autonomous vehicles in two of Abu Dhabi's most densely populated areas: Al Reem and Al Maryah islands. These islands are key centres for the financial, residential, and commercial sectors. Their complex traffic patterns and high vehicle density provide an ideal setting to demonstrate the advanced capabilities of WeRide's technology. At the same time, the initiative supports growing demand for reliable and easily accessible mobility solutions amid increasing traffic challenges. This launch builds on the autonomous taxi services already available on Al Saadiyat and Yas Islands, as well as routes to Zayed International Airport. It is part of an ongoing plan to expand the fleet and extend the reach of Abu Dhabi's smart mobility project. Since this service started on the Uber platform in December 2024, the autonomous taxi fleet has tripled in size. The ITC is also working to roll out the service to more areas on Abu Dhabi Island in the future, ensuring broader coverage and improving the overall efficiency of the smart mobility system across the emirate. This paves the way for the commercial operation of the project, aligning with strategic goals for smart transformation in the transport sector and reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a global hub for mobility innovation. By integrating AI and sustainable mobility solutions into key sectors, Abu Dhabi is reinforcing its position as a leading example for Middle Eastern cities striving for smart urban development. This reflects the emirate's smart mobility strategy, which connects different modes of transport and makes use of modern technology to benefit the community. Dr Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre, said: "This expansion marks an important milestone in Abu Dhabi's journey towards realising its vision for a smarter and safer mobility system. Building on the success of our previous smart mobility initiatives, we are working to extend the deployment of autonomous vehicles to high-density areas such as Al Reem and Al Maryah islands, in order to provide a safer and more efficient travel experience, in line with Abu Dhabi's smart transport strategy, which aims to provide sustainable and innovative mobility solutions. "We are committed to embracing innovative and sustainable solutions to enhance our transport network and improve the quality of life for our residents. By working closely with our strategic partners, we are accelerating this progress and enhancing the transport experience for everyone." Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer and Head of International at WeRide, said: "Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands are dynamic, high-demand areas and serve as key gateways to Abu Dhabi. This expansion gives us the opportunity to reach more passengers, showcase our advanced technology in complex urban settings, and further accelerate the deployment of autonomous vehicles across the city. We deeply appreciate the ongoing support from the Integrated Transport Centre and our strong partnership with Uber, which continues to drive our growth in the Middle East and beyond." Mohamad Jardaneh, Head of Autonomous Mobility, Middle East at Uber said: 'We're pleased to expand our autonomous vehicle service in Abu Dhabi to Al Reem and Al Maryah in partnership with WeRide and with the support of The Integrated Transport Centre. We've seen some great engagement from riders in Abu Dhabi since launch and are excited to make autonomous rides more accessible to even more people in the emirate. Just as Uber helped millions experience electric vehicles for the first time, 2025 will be the year we bring AV technology into the mainstream." It is worth noting that Abu Dhabi has reinforced its position as a regional leader in smart mobility, becoming the first city in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to commercially operate autonomous vehicles. The emirate currently operates the largest active fleet, with 44 autonomous vehicles serving key locations across the city. This expansion reflects the success of strategic partnerships led by Abu Dhabi with leading global companies in technology and mobility such as WeRide, Space42, Uber and Tawasul Transport, contributing to the development of an advanced smart mobility ecosystem. WeRide is considered one of the most prominent technology companies specialising in autonomous driving technologies. Its fleet in Abu Dhabi is the largest it operates outside the United States and China, reaffirming the emirate's position as a leading hub for innovation in mobility and reflecting its vision to develop a smart mobility system that supports sustainable urban development goals. -Ends- About Integrated Transport Centre: The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), affiliated with the Department of Municipalities and Transport, is the legislative, regulatory, and supervisory authority responsible for managing and developing the transport sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It formulates policies and frameworks aimed at establishing a smart, safe, and integrated mobility system that supports the Emirate's aspiration to be among the most advanced cities in the world. ITC oversees all land, maritime, and aviation transport activities across the Emirate, ensuring the integration and advancement of the mobility system in line with urban expansion and population growth. It also strives to harness the latest technologies, innovation, and sustainability tools to meet future mobility demands, enhance quality of life, and redefine urban living standards by embedding advanced solutions and promoting sustainable mobility practices.