Nujuma, Ritz-Carlton Reserve opens in ME with 63 villas in an exclusive private island oasis in the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the primary Ritz-Carlton Reserve within the Center East was unveiled on Ummahat Island within the tranquil waters of The Purple Sea. The non-public island retreat is nestled inside the charming Blue Gap cluster of islands, the place pristine coral reefs thrive beneath the floor and the celestial cover above paints an infinite tapestry of stars. Nujuma – impressed by the which means of ‘stars’ in Arabic – invitations travellers to embark on an unchartered journey to one of many world’s most secluded and guarded archipelagos. Right here, amidst the azure expanse, visitors are beckoned to discover and immerse themselves within the area’s tradition and traditions.
“As increasingly more travellers look to find new corners of the earth, we’re thrilled to disclose our latest Ritz-Carlton Reserve, positioned amongst the pure magnificence and beautiful setting of The Purple Sea,” stated Jenni Benzaquen, SVP The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis and Bulgari Accommodations & Resorts. “Nujuma joins a group of uncommon Ritz-Carlton Reserve estates around the globe, inviting probably the most discerning travellers to embark on a journey of exploration the place each encounter reveals a deeper connection to the vacation spot. I can not look forward to visitors to find this luxury non-public sanctuary and actually transformative expertise.”
The Purple Sea, one of many Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s luxurious regenerative tourism locations on the west coast of the nation, is surrounded by the world’s fourth-largest barrier reef system with an archipelago of greater than 90 untouched islands. From this enchanting setting, visitors can embark on extraordinary snorkelling and scuba diving adventures to uncover seldom-visited websites beneath the waves. Teeming with vibrant coral reefs which have thrived for over 5 thousand years, the barrier reef is house to fascinating ecosystems, together with over 165 endemic reef fish, dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays and Napoleon wrasse.
The island’s shores are fringed by wealthy mangroves, identified to be one of many most efficient ecosystems on this planet, and inside this lush habitat guests can spot a wide range of sea birds, marine invertebrates and havali guitarfish. Past the turquoise waters, visitors can uncover the fantastic thing about the coastal mainland by guided trails throughout majestic desert dunes.
Designed by Foster and Companions, Nujuma’s sweeping shell-inspired structure and stylish interiors are crafted with pure supplies imbued with calming sea and sand tones, and geometric patterns harking back to the area’s design motifs. Arabic artifacts, conventional ceramics, woven Saudi patterned rugs and complicated wall hangings celebrating native craftmanship stream by the canopied interiors. Lush landscaping of indigenous vegetation elegantly body the pathways between the pavilioned areas and villas.
Accessed by chartered boat or seaplane, Nujuma options 63 overwater and seashore villas, providing one-to-three-bedroom lodging, spacious residing areas and personal swimming pools overlooking the ocean. Visitors can marvel on the limitless starry night time skies from the consolation of their villa by telescopes positioned on every deck. Perched above the cerulean-blue sea and linked by an elevated ring walkway, the overwater villas provide panoramic views and direct entry to the ocean. Nestled on undisturbed delicate white sand, the seashore villas are secluded retreats flooded with pure gentle and the ocean’s refreshing breeze. Every villa enjoys the providers of a devoted private host, who will maintain each element and information visitors by all of the enriching experiences this vacation spot has to supply.
Alternative to achieve distinctive insights into the Saudi Arabian tradition, traditions and the vacation spot are offered by a crew of native specialists devoted to preserving and sharing their heritage. Honouring the legacy of nomadic exploration and studying, the Conservation Home is an built-in house for inventive pursuits to increase information and foster a way of group. By way of hands-on actions hosted by resident sustainability, environmental, and cultural specialists, visitors of all ages can domesticate a deep reference to the vacation spot.
Nujuma’s eating philosophy is impressed by the Arabian custom of gathering at one’s house to share tales of excellent fortune, poetry, philosophy and science. Every of the Reserve’s 5 culinary experiences honour the generations of fishermen from the Umluj area whose lives have been deeply intertwined with the realm for over 50 years. Visitors are warmly welcomed to Tabrah, a contemporary interpretation of a fisherman’s house, to share a menu of seafood specialities together with, ‘The Luckiest Catch’, a communal celebration of the ocean’s every day bounty that has nurtured the fisherman’s household by the ages. Jamaa is a relaxed alfresco house serving gentle dishes ready in an open kitchen and over a wood-fire grill to the resort’s outside pool and seashore lined with plush cabanas.
Because the solar dips under the horizon, Maia is an intimate place for astrology-inspired refreshments ready by knowledgeable mixologists, together with ‘Gemini’, a citrus mocktail named after the constellation, often called al-Taw‘amân in Arabic, that may be seen from Saudi Arabia’s capital all yr. Designed to have a good time the wonders of the night time’s sky that includes telescope and star design components, the open-air terrace is a spot to gaze above whereas Nujuma’s astrologer shares insights into the night’s constellation. Impressed by vibrant bazaars, all day eating venue, Sita, is a spacious French-style patisserie and a Levantine restaurant underneath three woven-wood pavilions, a design nod to the custom of leaf weaving. Visitors are greeted by the aroma of freshly baked bread exuding from a conventional clay oven, paired with recent hummus and dishes seasoned from the resort’s huge spice library.
Neyrah Spa is a tranquil sanctuary devoted to holistic wellness to rejuvenate the thoughts, physique and spirit. The serene indoor and outside oasis invitations visitors to nourish the physique and soul by ceremonies and strategies from across the globe whereas connecting with regional components together with the enchanting scent of oud and moringa peregrina tree oil sourced from the AlUla area. Wellness specialists design bespoke journeys to rebalance and chill out, and information visitors by respiration methods, meditation, lunar yoga and sound therapeutic remedy. The ocean’s breeze and delicate sounds of waves stream by 5 sea-facing therapy rooms and three outside therapy cabins. The house additionally options vitality and lap swimming pools, a hammam and a health centre. Designed as a voyage, bespoke therapies encourage visitors to mirror on the previous, reside within the current, and step into the longer term with readability and power.
“With the launch of the primary Ritz-Carlton Reserve within the area, we’re opening the doorways to an unparalleled vacation spot and welcoming the world to find The Purple Sea vacation spot,” stated Tony Coveney, Normal Supervisor, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, “Nujuma is not like some other property within the area, a pinnacle of luxurious with discovery and sustainability at its core, providing visitors a transformative journey into the extraordinary set inside the picture-perfect backdrop of Ummahat Island’s pure magnificence. We look ahead to welcoming visitors to get pleasure from an unforgettable exploration of the vacation spot the place each second is infused with marvel and connection.”
Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary lodge manufacturers. Beginning fee from £1714 (SAR 8211) per night time.