Our Habitas AlUla
Ashar Valley, AlUla, Saudi Arabia
AlUla is one of those places that doesn't feel real until you're standing in it. A valley carved by millennia into sandstone cliffs the color of burnt amber, surrounded by UNESCO World Heritage sites and a silence that feels earned. Most people don't think of Saudi Arabia when they plan a trip. That's exactly why this is the right moment to go.
The Property
Habitas was founded by people who met at Burning Man, and that origin story explains a lot about what the property feels like: community-driven, experience-focused, and visually striking in a way that doesn't take itself too seriously. The result is a resort that manages to feel both deeply rooted in its landscape and genuinely alive.
The 96 villas are spread through the Ashar Valley, each with a private terrace oriented toward the canyon walls. The design blends contemporary minimalism with traditional Saudi influences.The pool is one of the most photographed in the region, and for good reason: it sits against a backdrop of sandstone cliffs that changes color from gold to deep orange as the day progresses.
Programming is central to the Habitas experience; sunrise yoga on the Ashar Deck, stargazing sessions, live music with local artists, cultural workshops including Saudi coffee ceremonies, and guided hikes through the valley.
Why It's Here
AlUla is one of the most extraordinary destinations I've come across in years of researching hotels and destinations. The landscape alone, the canyon walls, the palm oasis, the ancient Nabataean tombs of Hegra, would be enough.
This is not a hotel where you check in and consume the destination from a distance. The programming pulls you into it. The design makes you feel like you belong there. And the scale keeps it intimate enough that it never feels like a resort machine.
Saudi Arabia is also genuinely undervisited by international travelers, which means you get one of the world's most spectacular landscapes almost entirely to yourself.
The Rooms
All accommodations are villas with private terraces. The categories are:
Canyon Villa — the core experience, immersed in the Ashar Valley with close-up views of the sandstone canyon walls and date palm oasis. The most connected to the landscape.
Alcove Villa — positioned for direct, uninterrupted views of the canyon. More elevated and private.
Celestial Villa — designed for stargazing, with telescopes and wide open terraces facing the night sky. The right choice if you're visiting for the desert skies.
My recommendation: The Celestial Villa if stargazing is a priority. The skies above AlUla are exceptional and the villa is built around that experience. Otherwise, any Canyon Villa puts you right in the heart of what makes this place special.
Ideal For
Travelers who want Sabi Sand's wildlife without sharing it with a crowd. Eight suites on the Sabie River means the animals come to you.
Ivory Lodge is also the right choice for anyone who wants a safari that doesn't look like a safari. The post-2022 rebuild produced something architecturally distinct, quiet luxury that sits in the bush without trying to replicate it.
And if you want to sleep under the stars in the African bush, the treehouses make that possible.
Not ideal for families with children under 10, or for travelers looking to combine safari with other activities in a short trip.
Good to Know
Location: Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Nearest airport: Skukuza Airport (SZK) — 30 minutes by road transfer. Alternatively, fly into Johannesburg (OR Tambo) and take a connecting flight to Skukuza or a road transfer (approx. 5–6 hours).
Price range: From approx. $2,500 per person per night (all-inclusive)
Best time to visit: June–October for dry season, when vegetation thins and wildlife concentrates around water sources — optimal for game viewing. November–April brings lush landscapes and newborn animals but denser bush.
Book It
Ready to stay? Check availability and current rates at Our Habitas AlUla.
