St. Regis Hotels and Resorts is set to unveil The St. Regis Red Sea Resort in the new year. Situated on the pristine Ummahat Island in the Al Wajh Lagoon, the resort will be the first private island from which global luminaries will be able to discover The Red Sea, one of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s luxury regenerative tourism destinations on the west coast of the country.
The Red Sea is surrounded by the world’s fourth-largest barrier reef system and spans over 28,000 square kilometres with an archipelago of more than 90 untouched islands. Ummahat Island is fringed by abundant wildlife, marine ecosystems and natural marvels.
Guests will be able to snorkel amongst preserved coral reefs, obtain PADI certifications, and embark on scuba diving expeditions to nearby wrecks and discovery sites, including the Blue Hole, a large natural marine cavern adjacent to the resort.
The island’s crystal-clear, vivid blue water can also be enjoyed by an array of water sports, including stand-up paddle boarding, sailing, windsurfing and kayaking. Excursions to the mainland via a short trip by chartered boat will offer guests the opportunity to explore dormant volcanoes, heritage sites and sweeping desert dunes.
“The Red Sea is an exciting new destination for global travellers to immerse themselves in an undiscovered part of the world,” said Helen Leighton, Vice President, Luxury Brands, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International.
“As a gateway to the untapped wonders of the Red Sea, The St. Regis Red Sea Resort is a new glamorous island address that captures the sophistication of the St. Regis brand and its legacy of exquisite experiences.”
Central to the destination’s mission of preserving its precious natural surroundings and enhancing key habitats that enable biodiversity to flourish are a number of projects and collaborations with key partners like the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and UK marine robotics company VAARST, whose SubSLAM® technology is hard at work capturing 3D images of the thriving coral across the entire Al Wajh Lagoon.
Earlier this year, a mangrove nursery opened on the coast to support the growth of 50 million mangroves by 2030, with the first one million seedlings already planted. This is in addition to The Red Sea being home to the largest landscape nursery in the region, which has grown more than five million plants, shrubs and trees to green the destination.
These partnerships underpin the resort’s commitment to marine conservation and ecological sustainability and align with the broader vision of creating diverse opportunities for young Saudi Arabian talent.
Harnessing innovative technology to create a sustainable destination began at the early stages of the resort’s development. The island resort will be powered by one hundred per cent renewable energy generated by solar power and one of the world’s largest battery storage facilities situated on the mainland.
Emphasis on waste reduction and recycling will be at the heart of daily operations to deliver advanced water treatment, comprehensive waste management solutions, and a plastic-free environment. As a result of the destination-wide commitment to preserving the region’s dark skies, The Red Sea is set to become the largest certified Dark Sky Reserve in the world.
Accessed by chartered boat or seaplane after arriving at the newly opened Red Sea International Airport (RSI), The St. Regis Red Sea Resort will feature a collection of 90 spacious beachfront and overwater villas, offering elegant one-to-four-bedroom accommodation, each with a private pool and sundeck.
Every stay will be enhanced by the renowned St. Regis Butler service and a curated selection of signature rituals.
The resort’s interiors have been developed in accordance with LEED platinum certification guidelines. The certification creates healthy, highly efficient, cost-saving green buildings that improve environmental performance from carbon footprint to indoor environmental quality.
In addition, the resort will feature five restaurants offering unique culinary concepts and will serve produce sourced from local farms and fishermen, two outdoor pools, a high-tech fitness centre, a signature spa and a children’s club.
“As the first island resort scheduled to open in The Red Sea, we are pioneering a new era of sustainable luxury in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Tony Coveney, Multi-Property General Manager.
“From the resort’s avant-garde architecture and bespoke service to eco-conscious initiatives and specially curated adventures, we are introducing a new escape to the extraordinary, and we look forward to welcoming guests to experience this part of the world for the first time.”
The resort is an idyllic, serene getaway offering an array of specially tailored packages. The Romantic Paradise Escape package offers couples an intimate setting amidst the pristine beauty of the Red Sea, complete with romantic dinners and private excursions.
The Blissful Red Sea Journey package offers guests a different immersive experience centred around exploring the wonders of The Red Sea while indulging in the luxury and comfort of the resort.
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts is part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands. The starting rate is from $1333 (5000 SAR) per night. To book, visit www.marriott.com.
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