Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — The Red Sea has announced the opening of its third resort, Nujuma, a Ritz Carlton Reserve.
Inspired by the word Nujum, meaning “stars” in Arabic, Nujuma invites travelers to one of the world’s most secluded and protected archipelagos.
“Designed by Foster and Partners, Nujuma’s sweeping shell-inspired architecture and elegant interiors are crafted with natural materials imbued with calming sea and sand tones and geometric patterns reminiscent of the region’s design motifs,” The Red Sea said in a press release.
“Arabic Artifacts, traditional ceramics, woven Saudi patterned rugs, and intricate wall hangings celebrating local craftmanship flow through the canopied interiors. Lush landscaping of indigenous plants elegantly frames the pathways between the pavilioned spaces and villas,” the statement said.
The island’s shores are fringed by rich mangroves, known to be one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, and within this lush habitat visitors can spot a variety of sea birds, marine invertebrates, and halavian guitarfish.
Accessed by chartered boat or seaplane, Nujuma features 63 overwater and beach villas, offering one-to-three-bedroom accommodation, spacious living areas, and private pools overlooking the sea. Guests can marvel at the limitless starry night skies from the comfort of their villa through telescopes positioned on each deck.
Perched above the cerulean-blue sea and connected by an elevated ring walkway, the overwater villas offer panoramic views and direct access to the sea. Nestled on undisturbed soft white sand, the beach villas are secluded retreats flooded with natural light and refreshing sea breezes. Each villa enjoys the services of a dedicated personal host, who will take care of every detail and guide guests through all the enriching experiences this destination has to offer.
According to the release, The Red Sea is carefully designed to cater to affluent travelers, from honeymooners and adventure seekers to wellness enthusiasts, families, and more.
“The destination is at the forefront of the global transition towards regenerative tourism – going beyond sustainability to have a regenerative impact on the environment, society, and the economy,” it said.
This includes being off-grid, powered by sunlight day and night , made possible by 760,000 solar panels and one of the world’s largest battery storage facilities at 1,300 MWh. More than 5 million plants, shrubs and trees have been grown to not only beautify the destination, but also create new thriving habitats, in addition to 3 million mangrove seedlings under an ambitious target of 50 million nationally by 2030.