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Our Habitas AlUla’s single-level wooden desert dwellings with canvas-tented terraces stand small amid Ashar Valley’s sky-scraping sandstone cliffs, devoid of the conspicuous glamour you might expect from a luxury property in Saudi Arabia. And that’s precisely the point. Our Habitas AlUla aims to celebrate the natural environment and ancient history here, not compete with it.

In every deliberately curated detail—from the stimulative evergreen scent of mastic resin and fragrant oil-soaked bokhour burned during the welcome ceremony to the woven Bedouin-style cushions resting comfortably on the sand, to the haunting vibrations of the oud that float through the canyon as a live musician plucks the strings—you’ll find an invitation to engage your senses and connect with this storied place.

Located at the intersection of the Silk Road and Incense Route, the desert oasis of AlUla has attracted travelers for millennia. With Our Habitas AlUla as your base, you’ll be at a crossroads of ancient and modern, where you can nourish your body with locally sourced mezze, learn about traditional navigation while viewing constellations through a digital telescope, interact with Desert X art installations, and detoxify with an Arabian sand bath. When you’re ready to venture out, you can browse an “open-air library” of ancient inscriptions scrawled on the stones at Jabal Ikmah; attend a performance at Maraya, the world’s largest mirrored building; stand in the presence of rock-carved Nabataean structures at Hegra, and more—all within a 5-15 minute drive of Our Habitas AlUla.

Dutch designer Marcel Wanders created one of the most uniquely designed hotels in the Middle East when he curated the jewel that is the Mondrian Doha Hotel. From afar, you will marvel at the structure, which looks like a falcon sitting in its nest. Yet, the bespoke interior designs go a step further, with huge golden eggs bulging out of decorative white columns in the lobby, making it a feast for the eyes to see at every turn.

Each room of the hotel is designed with the swankiest of styles, from ornate stained glass in the pool area to a ‘tree of life’ made of flowers and stunning mosaic tiles throughout the lobby area. Mondrian Doha marches to the beat of its own drum with the level of opulence that it showcases in the suites of the eight fine-dining and nightlife venues housed within the property. From the decadent superior suites to the luxurious “secret garden” ESPA, guests can feel pampered like an Arabian prince or princess in this oasis of a hotel.

Nestled in the heart of UAE, the impossibly pretty city of Jumeirah is a hidden gem and the picturesque setting in the majestic Empty Quarter (Rub’ al Khali) envelopes the Resort with thousands of years of intriguing history. The property blends in with the surroundings by offering palatial-style villas brimming with Middle Eastern opulence—complete with palm trees and twinkling lanterns.

Each of the 140 rooms, 14 suites, and 53 pool villas are completed with luxury fibers and earthy hues and offer a tub, rain shower, and a pillow menu. Large sliding doors give way to a private terrace, a sublime spot for unwinding. Catch the magnificent sunsets with a cocktail in hand at the rooftop lounge Suhail; afterward, enjoy first-class dining under the stars in the desert at Al Falaj.

The Anantara Spa, tucked into a tranquil courtyard with trickling fountains and aromatic hanging gardens, provides ancient massage rituals and Hammam healing baths renowned for cleansing and revitalizing both body and soul for centuries; or enjoy one of the guided “Desert Excursions” which include camel treks, dune bashing, horse riding, archery, and mountain biking.

When it comes to making a memorable first impression, the Raffles Doha has it nailed. Enter through the 20-foot-tall metal doors, and you reach a magical lobby filled with the world’s tallest kaleidoscope. Nine-hundred-seventy-four mirrored panels allow you to look into virtual space, with clouds gliding above you.

This 132-key property, with suites designed like an Arabian palace, or indeed a Parisian townhouse, all with walk-in “minibars” that come stocked with all your favorite treats, from coffee and teas and alcoholic beverages to chocolate and cookies, all ascertained before your stay, a butler on call 24/7, and even an alarm clock that wakes you up with subtle aromatherapy rather than harsh noises, but that’s not all.

As a truly luxurious stay is often made by all the little extras on the side, at the Raffles Doha, you can dine at Alba by Enrico Crippa, the only restaurant by this Michelin-starred chef outside of Italy. Then, there is the hidden cocktail lounge and library, hidden behind a secret wall panel. Inside, you’ll find a library filled with more than 200 books, with many first editions, such as a rare Hemingway tome. Guests can borrow them to read in their rooms, and gloves are provided.

Villas stretch like pearl strands over turquoise water at Saudi Arabia’s new St. Regis Red Sea Resort, set on the area’s first private island open to visitors. This retreat celebrates an Underwater Wonder of the World while pioneering luxury regenerative tourism in the Kingdom.

The planet’s fourth-largest barrier reef system cradles more than 90 untouched islands with pristine beaches and sweeping desert dunes. Its crystal-clear waters are home to a diverse range of marine life and over 300 types of coral reefs.

Guests arriving at the new Red Sea International Airport can take eco-friendly boats or seaplanes to reach Ummahat Island in Al Wajh Lagoon, located 650 kilometers north of Jeddah, or a quick 1.5-hour flight from the capital, Riyadh. This oasis features Kengo Kuma’s visionary avant-garde architecture, harmoniously echoing the coral and dunes of the Ummahat archipelago. Ninety overwater and beachfront villas all have spacious footprints and private pools with LEED platinum-certified interiors.

Casual elegance meets environmental care throughout the St. Regis Red Sea Resort. This state-of-the-art solar-powered property emphasizes recycling, waste reduction, protecting the natural beauty’s hyper-biodiversity, and a plastic-free environment. The St. Regis shines as a progressive benchmark in this hidden treasure of a destination, poised to boom with 50 hotels planned by 2030.