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Rock formations and a desert landscape make for a striking backdrop / photo: Banyan Tree AlUla
Banyan Tree has launched its first resort and spa in Saudi Arabia, ushering in the group’s debut in the Kingdom.
Banyan Tree AlUla is being operated by Accor on behalf of Banyan Tree, thanks to the two brands’ strategic long-term partnership agreement which was announced in 2016. The deal means Accor develops and manages Banyan Tree-branded hotels around the world.
Set against a striking desert backdrop and imposing rock formations, Banyan Tree AlUla has been developed in the Ashar Valley of the AlUla region – a historical crossroad of ancient civilisations and a popular resting place for travellers and traders since the 6th century BC.
The vision for the resort was inspired by the architecture of the Nabataeans – a nomadic tribe of Bedouins who occupied the area 2,000 years ago.
A subtle desert landscape Banyan Tree AlUla’s 47 sand-coloured tents blend into the landscape, while a range of outdoor wellness experiences allow guests to connect with the natural surroundings.
Highlights include starlit open-air sound baths and a massage inside a hidden cave surrounded by precious minerals, incense and scented candles made with locally-grown ingredients.
Guests can also unwind in a rock pool with views of the valley on the horizon, while a signature Banyan Tree Spa offers traditional Asian healing therapies in one of five treatment spaces. Partners include Lemi, Talenti Spa and Pevonia.
A regular selection of yoga classes, retreats and workshops by world-renowned masters in their fields complete the offering.
Speaking to Spa Business, Banyan Tree revealed there are plans to expand the spa with thermal and wet facilities and a corresponding suite of rituals by Q4 of 2023.
Spa People: Marc Cohen
Leading medical, research, science and educational activities are all part of the new medical director’s role at the Peninsula Hot Springs Group in Australia
Menu engineering: At your service
Get inspired by the latest wellness services including a high-tech diagnostic circuit at SHA and a Zita West fertility programme at Bürgenstock
Interview: Stephan Wagner
As Saudi Arabia taps into tourism, the man heading up wellness at Amaala talks to Spa Business about what the major development is looking to bring to a previously undiscovered part of the Kingdom
Interview: Aradhana Khowala
The chair of the advisory board of the Red Sea – a Saudi development the size of Belgium – shares her passion for regenerative tourism with Spa Business
Sponsored: RKF: Dressed to impress
Following exciting new launches at Equip Hotel in Paris, including the new DresSoft line, RKF Luxury Linen is gearing up for an eco-friendly and fashion-conscious 2023
Everyone’s talking about...: Cold water immersion
A new scientific paper warns of the significant risk of cold water therapies. Spa Business investigates how operators can protect those taking part in extreme bathing programmes
Event report: Healing summit
Self-help and self-love were the key messages from this wellness event in Portugal, says Spa Business’ Lisa Starr
Sponsored: Comfort Zone: Effective by nature
Comfort Zone has revealed three new
products, including a new neck and
décolleté fluid, leveraging the power of
botanical bioactive extracts
Interview: Alex & Sue Glasscock
Editor-at-large, Jane Kitchen is put through her paces at The Ranch's new outpost in Palazzo Fiuggi, Italy and catches up with the owners
Event Report: Global Wellness Summit
The 16th annual GWS, held in Tel Aviv, Israel, homed in on the sector’s biggest issues following the pandemic. Spa Business reports on the highlights
Research: Wellness for all
A new study by the Global Wellness Institute provides a framework for businesses and governments to make healthy lifestyles accessible to all
Sponsored: TechnoAlpin Snowroom
The TechnoAlpin Snowroom made our Grand Aufguss Masters event extra special, says Robert Heinevetter
Finishing Touch: Cold call
Tumor suppression and boosting ‘good fat’ are two potential benefits of exposure to cool temperatures and swimming in icy waters, scientists reveal
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Myrtha Wellness
Founded in Italy in 1961 by visionary Giorgio Colletto, Myrtha Wellness has become a global pioneer [more...]
Rock formations and a desert landscape make for a striking backdrop / photo: Banyan Tree AlUla
Banyan Tree has launched its first resort and spa in Saudi Arabia, ushering in the group’s debut in the Kingdom.
Banyan Tree AlUla is being operated by Accor on behalf of Banyan Tree, thanks to the two brands’ strategic long-term partnership agreement which was announced in 2016. The deal means Accor develops and manages Banyan Tree-branded hotels around the world.
Set against a striking desert backdrop and imposing rock formations, Banyan Tree AlUla has been developed in the Ashar Valley of the AlUla region – a historical crossroad of ancient civilisations and a popular resting place for travellers and traders since the 6th century BC.
The vision for the resort was inspired by the architecture of the Nabataeans – a nomadic tribe of Bedouins who occupied the area 2,000 years ago.
A subtle desert landscape Banyan Tree AlUla’s 47 sand-coloured tents blend into the landscape, while a range of outdoor wellness experiences allow guests to connect with the natural surroundings.
Highlights include starlit open-air sound baths and a massage inside a hidden cave surrounded by precious minerals, incense and scented candles made with locally-grown ingredients.
Guests can also unwind in a rock pool with views of the valley on the horizon, while a signature Banyan Tree Spa offers traditional Asian healing therapies in one of five treatment spaces. Partners include Lemi, Talenti Spa and Pevonia.
A regular selection of yoga classes, retreats and workshops by world-renowned masters in their fields complete the offering.
Speaking to Spa Business, Banyan Tree revealed there are plans to expand the spa with thermal and wet facilities and a corresponding suite of rituals by Q4 of 2023.
Spa People: Marc Cohen
Leading medical, research, science and educational activities are all part of the new medical director’s role at the Peninsula Hot Springs Group in Australia
Menu engineering: At your service
Get inspired by the latest wellness services including a high-tech diagnostic circuit at SHA and a Zita West fertility programme at Bürgenstock
Interview: Stephan Wagner
As Saudi Arabia taps into tourism, the man heading up wellness at Amaala talks to Spa Business about what the major development is looking to bring to a previously undiscovered part of the Kingdom
Interview: Aradhana Khowala
The chair of the advisory board of the Red Sea – a Saudi development the size of Belgium – shares her passion for regenerative tourism with Spa Business
Sponsored: RKF: Dressed to impress
Following exciting new launches at Equip Hotel in Paris, including the new DresSoft line, RKF Luxury Linen is gearing up for an eco-friendly and fashion-conscious 2023
Everyone’s talking about...: Cold water immersion
A new scientific paper warns of the significant risk of cold water therapies. Spa Business investigates how operators can protect those taking part in extreme bathing programmes
Event report: Healing summit
Self-help and self-love were the key messages from this wellness event in Portugal, says Spa Business’ Lisa Starr
Sponsored: Comfort Zone: Effective by nature
Comfort Zone has revealed three new
products, including a new neck and
décolleté fluid, leveraging the power of
botanical bioactive extracts
Interview: Alex & Sue Glasscock
Editor-at-large, Jane Kitchen is put through her paces at The Ranch's new outpost in Palazzo Fiuggi, Italy and catches up with the owners
Event Report: Global Wellness Summit
The 16th annual GWS, held in Tel Aviv, Israel, homed in on the sector’s biggest issues following the pandemic. Spa Business reports on the highlights
Research: Wellness for all
A new study by the Global Wellness Institute provides a framework for businesses and governments to make healthy lifestyles accessible to all
Sponsored: TechnoAlpin Snowroom
The TechnoAlpin Snowroom made our Grand Aufguss Masters event extra special, says Robert Heinevetter
Finishing Touch: Cold call
Tumor suppression and boosting ‘good fat’ are two potential benefits of exposure to cool temperatures and swimming in icy waters, scientists reveal
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Anna Bjurstam has left her role as Wellness Pioneer at Six Senses Hotels and Resorts and
launched a new wellness, longevity and “consciousness consultancy” called Wahayla.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) in the Northwest of England with a
1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’ concept.
Wellness hotels generating less than US$1 million (€932,700, £785,200) – or 10 per cent of
total revenue from wellness and leisure – recorded the strongest RevPAR and TRevPAR growth
in 2025 across categories when compared with 2024, according to the latest Wellness Real
Estate Report by RLA Global, produced in partnership with P and L benchmarking firm HotStats.
Lefay Resorts, the portfolio of two luxury wellness properties in Italy, has added emotional
dance classes and group cold plunge sessions in response to market demand for social
connection.
Aditya Saluja, an industry leader in luxury wellness hospitality, has been
appointed as
commercial director of spa and wellness for the spa management division of
Minor Hotels,
MSpa International.
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort, a destination resort and spa in Naturno, South Tyrol in Italy,
will reveal a new spa in February 2027, which has been designed by wellness expert and
consultant Patrizia Bortolin.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Myrtha Wellness Founded in Italy in 1961 by visionary Giorgio Colletto, Myrtha Wellness has become a global pioneer [more...]