The Saudi Royal Commission for Al-‘Ula (RCU) has selected luxury hotel management company GHM to operate a uniquely authentic luxury hotel in the ancient Nabataean site in northwest Saudi Arabia as The Chedi Hegra.
Situated within Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and opening by Q4 2023, The Chedi Hegra will offer 35 bespoke guest rooms, each with its own distinct connection to the Hegra landscape, a breathtaking testimony of human expression within the natural environment.
RCU is building the hotel directly into several existing structures, including an old railway station and surrounding buildings, Hegra Fort, and others. Structural and exterior walls, some with historical mud-brick construction, are being preserved and integrated with modern architecture. The vast majority of the UNESCO World Heritage Site will remain untouched by construction and carefully preserved by RCU to maintain the integrity of Hegra’s incredibly human and natural heritage.
RCU has also ensured all design and construction efforts align with the Sustainability Charter for AlUla, including a light-touch tourism approach, imaginative infrastructure, planting of native flora, and an all-electric mobility system. Where possible, the project will use local construction materials and work with local businesses and labor, and the hotel is expected to create at least 120 jobs once fully operational.
John Northen VP – Hotels & Resorts RCU
“Sitting at the nexus of AlUla’s living museum, The Chedi Hegra embodies the fulfillment of our Journey Through Time master plan with its deep respect for heritage, sustainable design features, and an authentic luxury experience that celebrates what makes AlUla a special destination for travelers seeking both comfort and adventure.”
The property will feature three fine-dining restaurants, a café, and a full-service spa and pool, with many of the buildings connected by an overhead art canopy focused on wind movement and natural light.
The on-site restaurants will each offer unique experiences for hotel guests and others visiting Hegra. One of the restaurants inside the old railway station will feature an exhibition of carefully preserved artifacts, including a fully-restored train, while another will sit within the Hegra Fort, and a third will feature unobstructed views from a sunken water basin seating area.
Mr. Tommy Lai, Chief Executive Officer of General Hotel Management Pte Ltd (GHM) said that ” GHM is thrilled to introduce this luxurious heritage boutique hotel that will offer an authentic, unrivaled lifestyle experience deep within the ancient Nabataean site of Hegra. As the first hotel within Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, we are committed to preserving the site’s integrity while seamlessly integrating modern architecture and comforts. I am certain that guests will recognize and appreciate the value we place in minimizing our environmental impact, through the sustainable efforts of the hotel, in addition to our dedication to conserving the legacy of Hegra, a true GHM hallmark of creating inspired spaces.”
