Set within the protected Ashar Valley, this all-villa wellness sanctuary is gently folded into one of the world’s most ancient landscapes.
Location
AlUla is often described as the world’s largest living museum, and it’s clear that the phrase feels earned. Millennia of civilisations—Nabataean, Dadanite, Lihyan—have left their mark on this vast desert basin, carving stories into rock faces that still feel astonishingly present.
Banyan Tree AlUla sits around 15 kilometres from Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Ashar Valley acts as a natural amphitheatre, its monumental sandstone formations creating a sense of enclosure and privacy that is rare at this scale. Despite its remoteness, access is seamless, with direct flights from Dubai and easy connections via Riyadh or Jeddah.
See also: The Dubai Wellness Guide By The Wellness Drop
Accommodation
Accommodation at Banyan Tree AlUla is entirely villa-based, and deliberately so. Each villa is designed as a contemporary interpretation of nomadic living, drawing on Bedouin heritage.
The One-Bedroom Dune Villas, with or without private pools, are perfectly proportioned for couples. High ceilings, canopy-style tent structures and a restrained, earthy palette create a sense of calm. King beds are positioned for spacious comfort; outdoor fire pits invite slow evenings beneath the stars; and bathrooms open onto patios that blur the line between inside and out.
For longer stays or shared travel, the Two- and Three-Bedroom Pool Villas introduce generous living spaces, expansive terraces and private pools that feel genuinely secluded. These villas are designed for lingering—long breakfasts, unhurried afternoons, and nights spent talking softly under the desert sky.
Spaces to Unwind
Facilities at Banyan Tree AlUla are intentionally understated and designed to support stillness.
The Rock Pool, carved into the sandstone mountains, is perhaps the most evocative example. Naturally treated and deeply secluded, it feels almost elemental—a place to float, cool down, and recalibrate, surrounded by ancient rock formations that dwarf any lingering sense of urgency.
Elsewhere, the resort unfolds quietly, with discreet pathways, shaded spaces and a pace that encourages wandering rather than rushing. A 24-hour concierge ensures that everything flows smoothly.
Wellness & Activities
At the heart of Banyan Tree AlUla’s wellness offering is the Banyan Tree Spa, long regarded as one of the brand’s greatest strengths. Here, the approach is holistic and deeply considered, drawing on traditional Asian healing philosophies while responding intuitively to the desert environment. Treatments focus on grounding, circulation and mental clarity, using natural ingredients and skilled, unhurried touch.
Beyond the spa, wellness takes on a broader, more elemental form. Stargazing experiences invite guests to reconnect with natural rhythms beneath AlUla’s vast, unpolluted skies. Meanwhile, cultural excursions arranged through the concierge—to Hegra, Jabal Ikmah, Dadan, Elephant Rock or AlUla Old Town—offer another layer of nourishment.
See also: Inside Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong’s Airship Voyage Family Suite—Where Adventure Meets Luxury
Dining
Saffron, Banyan Tree’s signature Thai restaurant, delivers refined contemporary Thai cuisine prepared by Thai chefs—a first for Saudi Arabia. The setting is intimate and the views across the Ashar Valley lend each evening a sense of occasion without formality.
Harrat offers a more relaxed, social counterpoint, blending Arabic and international cuisine with local culture and craft. From easy lunches to atmospheric evenings, it’s a space that offers something for everyone. Across both venues, food is nourishing and satisfying, designed to complement days spent exploring—or doing very little at all.
Overview
Banyan Tree AlUla is a low-density, destination-led wellness retreat where restoration is shaped by landscape, privacy and pace rather than structured programming. The all-villa design, minimal facilities and strong sense of place make it best suited to couples, solo travellers and experienced wellness guests seeking quiet, space and autonomy.
Contact bookings@compareretreats.com to book your luxury wellness retreat
