Latest news with #Nujuma
Arab News
21-05-2025
- Arab News
Escape the ordinary: Celebrate Eid Al-Adha at Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, offers an exclusive opportunity to celebrate Eid in a secluded island setting within the Ummahat Islands in the Red Sea. Surrounded by one of the world's most untouched marine environments, the resort combines refined luxury with natural beauty. With spacious villas, uninterrupted sea views, and personalized service, Nujuma is designed for guests seeking a peaceful and private holiday experience. An Eid Al-Adha celebration like no other To mark Eid Al-Adha, Nujuma is inviting guests to enjoy a thoughtfully curated stay that combines elevated dining, family-friendly moments, and opportunities for rest and renewal. The seasonal offer includes: This offer is valid for stays from June 4–8, with a minimum three-night stay required. Guests can use the promotional code 'E4000' to access the offer. 'Let Nujuma, a Ritz Carlton Reserve be the place where your Eid Al-Adha becomes more than a getaway — a time to reconnect with loved ones, reflect on the season, and enjoy the rare stillness of an island sanctuary,' a press statement said. Tucked away in the remote Ummahat Islands along Saudi Arabia's ecologically rich Red Sea coast, Nujuma is the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Middle East. This secluded sanctuary features 65 elegantly designed beach and overwater villas, each offering expansive living spaces, panoramic sea views, and private pools. Inspired by the natural curves of seashells and built with locally sourced materials, the architecture pays homage to the region's heritage and environment. Guests can indulge in curated culinary journeys across four distinctive dining venues, where modern gastronomy is elevated by thoughtful storytelling and authentic flavors. Every experience at Nujuma, from wellness at the Neyrah Spa, to stargazing and marine exploration is crafted to connect guests to the rhythms of nature and the spirit of Saudi Arabia. With a deep commitment to regenerative tourism, cultural authenticity, and meaningful connection, Nujuma is not simply a destination — it is a rare journey into the heart of refined discovery. For reservations and inquiries, please call +966 1-45040000, email or visit the website here.
Forbes
27-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Nujuma, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve Named Best New Hotel
Something extraordinary has surfaced in the Red Sea. Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve made waves with its May 2024 debut. It's the Middle East's first Reserve property and is a significant addition to Saudi Arabia's ambitious Red Sea regenerative tourism initiative. The private island resort's striking seashell-inspired villas, unspoiled natural surroundings and thoughtful embrace of Saudi culture quickly garnered acclaim, including Forbes Travel Guide's prestigious Best Opening of 2024 award. The award is part of FTG's annual Star Awards, which was announced last month. In choosing the hotel, an executive editorial committee narrowed down five finalists, which included Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London; The Singapore EDITION; The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel; and Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island. Readers and followers then picked the winner through an online survey. This marks the second year of the award — Atlantis The Royal won it for the Dubai hotel's 2023 debut. 'From the beginning, we tried to create something extraordinary with Nujuma,' says Tony Coveney, general manager of the property. 'As a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the goal was to create a truly unique and one-off experience. While underpinned by The Ritz-Carlton service values, this would be a place that is transformative, pure, rare and immersive. As such, yes, this is a stunning resort with all the luxury facilities one might expect of a Five-Star environment. But it is also a 'Reserve,' a place where guests can completely disengage with the world outside and reengage with nature and a cultural experience.' The stunning Sita is a feast for the eyes. Floating amid the world's fourth-largest barrier reef, this all-villa hotel feels secluded, but it's not far from Riyadh (a 1.5-hour flight) and Jeddah (about an hour-long flight). Foster + Partners took inspiration for the architecture from the surrounding seascape. The 63 spherical villas resemble seashells, and those hovering over the water form a ring, a striking visual signature for the hotel. Inside each, you'll find natural materials, a color palette of sea and sand, and geometric patterns echoing classic regional designs. Traditional ceramics, woven Saudi rugs and elaborate wall hangings ground your experience in a sense of place. Each comes with a large living room, kitchen, deck, pool and telescope — stargazing is a nod to the property's celestial namesake, since Nujuma comes from the Arabic word najoom, meaning 'the stars.' There's even an on-staff astronomer who leads nightly sessions under the remarkably clear skies. Yoga and other activities are included in your stay. There's much to do under those stars. When you aren't dining at noted chef Lucas Julien-Vauzelle's four restaurants (there's a starry bar serving celestial-themed mocktails, too) or retreating to the tranquility of Neyrah Spa (which offers a hammam, vitality and lap pools, five water-facing treatment rooms and three outdoor treatment cabins), you can learn about Saudi Arabia's wildlife and ecosystems with the resident naturalist; take classes about the country's history, art and traditions with the on-staff Saudi culture expert; gather for beach bonfires; and enhance your wellbeing with yoga, Pilates, meditation and other sessions. All these activities are included with your stay. Marine enthusiasts can visit the fully equipped dive center to explore the vibrant underwater world. Snorkel or scuba dive along the pristine reef to encounter 165 endemic fish species, playful dolphins, graceful hawksbill turtles and majestic stingrays. For those preferring to stay above the surface, the resort offers kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and catamarans. Local ingredients make dishes burst with flavor. Solar-powered, the luxury hotel was built with sustainability in mind. The restaurants use local ingredients. The property treats and reuses its gray water. And guests are encouraged to pitch in with the eco-friendly efforts by planting mangroves — the tally is 28,000 thus far. '[Nujuma] is a sanctuary for nature and culture, an expression of Saudi hospitality through extraordinary personal experiences that leave lasting impressions on our guests,' Coveney says. 'As the island matures and develops with time, we want to be at the forefront of sustainable business practices that are gentle on the environment and show a kind of hospitality that is in harmony with the pristine nature surrounding us in the Red Sea. We want our guests to be immersed in a world connected to nature and disconnected from the noise and distraction of everyday life.' Each villa comes with a personal host. Credit: As with other Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotels, service is a distinguishing feature. Each villa comes with a najm or najma, a personal host who can arrange all aspects of your stay. 'Our personal hosts are dedicated to a one-to-one service experience that is truly personal,' Coveney says. This approach extends beyond routine requests like booking a dinner or requesting an extra pillow to help you create meaningful memories during your stay. 'The Ritz-Carlton talks a lot about 'mystique,'' he says. 'We look for opportunities to truly wow our guests in both small and big ways.'
Gulf Business
14-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Marriott reports nearly 300 deal signings in EMEA in 2024
Image: Marriott International The company also expanded its operating portfolio with more than 180 property additions, entering three new markets: Luxembourg, Angola and Senegal. 'We celebrated exceptional growth across the EMEA region in 2024 with a record-breaking number of deal signings, growth across all segments, and entry into emerging markets – further enhancing our portfolio and bringing even more unique travel experiences to the region,' said Satya Anand, president, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. 'We remain focused on connecting people through the power of travel and look forward to building on this growth momentum to offer our owners, Marriott Bonvoy members, and customers even greater options to extend their horizons.' The company's total EMEA pipeline grew to 596 properties at year-end, encompassing 104,731 rooms — an annual increase of 10 per cent. Conversions played a significant role, representing 45 per cent of total signings. The company recorded strong development activity in Denmark, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the UK, which led the region in deal signings. Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah (Saudi Arabia) Image: Marriott International Marriott International's expansion across segments Jerome Briet, chief development officer, EMEA, highlighted Marriott's growth trajectory. 'Our achievements in the past year, particularly in the conversion space, reflect the trust our owners have in Marriott International and the power of our well-established brands, competitive affiliation costs, powerful revenue generation engines, and award-winning loyalty programme,' Briet said. 'This region continues to offer tremendous opportunities for us to expand into new segments and markets, catering to the evolving needs of both domestic and international travellers,' he added. Marriott saw growth across all segments in 2024, including: Luxury segment: 26 signings, expanding Marriott's luxury pipeline in the EMEA region to over 80 hotels and resorts. Midscale segment: Four Points Flex by Sheraton led with 34 signings in Europe, marking the highest number of signings among Marriott Bonvoy brands in the region. Premium segment: Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, and Marriott Hotels secured 50 signings combined. Select service segments: Courtyard by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, and Moxy Hotels drove growth with 39 signings. Branded residential segment:11 new projects were signed, bringing Marriott's total EMEA residential portfolio to 72 locations (42 in the pipeline and 30 operational). Courtyard Dakar Diamniadio in Senegal. Image: Marriott International Key openings in 2024 The company added 181 properties and nearly 20,000 rooms to its operating portfolio in EMEA in 2024. Key openings included: Ritz-Carlton Reserve: The debut of Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in W Hotels: Expansion with W Prague. St. Regis: Openings in Serbia and Oman with The St. Regis Belgrade and The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort. The Luxury Collection: Openings in Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, including Hôtel du Couvent in Nice and Bab Samhan in Diriyah. Fairfield by Marriott: The brand's European debut with Fairfield by Marriott Copenhagen Nordhavn. Moxy Hotels: Six new openings, including its first property in Spain, Moxy Barcelona. Market Entries: Marriott's first properties in Angola and Senegal, with Protea Hotel Luanda and Courtyard Dakar Diamniadio.
