We know that Saudi Arabia is investing an unprecedented amount of money to boost its tourism industry. A big part of this is the Red Sea Project, which covers 28,000 square kilometers on the west coast of the country, and includes an archipelago of more than 90 natural islands. The goal is to build dozens…
Continue reading: St. Regis Red Sea Resort Opens In Saudi Arabia With Overwater Villas
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Wonder what the real pictures of the resort look like. Would love to see but not seeing too much online. Doesn’t seem worth it until they serve drinks (compared to maldives) but maybe it becomes a competitor to the Maldives over time.
“… all while admittedly having a bit of a reputation issue in the West.”
As always, western exceptionalism makes an appearance.
“The west” needs to understand that there’s a whole other world that exists elsewhere and doesn’t necessarily play by the same rules, these hotels will do just fine with or without business from the so-called west.
So can my wife walk around the resort in a bathing suit? Can I get a beer? So many questions
Also, your ruler thinks you can't "do just fine without business from the west." That's literally the entire point of him opening the kingdom, building western-style resorts, building a western-style airline, etc.
If you need more proof, look at the success of Dubai in diversifying their economy. Oil will stop at some point - either because you'll pump it all, or the economy will transition away. Your ruler is correct in diversifying while you still have the ability.
The idea of a luxe resort with no drunks is very appealing. I'll be interested in real experience from same-sex couples staying in this and similar properties. My Saudi friends (gay) tell me, among other things, that "Grindr works perfectly fine in Jeddah" so it's tempting to be slightly optimistic. Not sure I want to be the first datapoint LOL. That's a lotta points!
Why does everything to revolve around alcohol and being gay? Can’t you have fun without getting drunk and exhibiting your sexuality? I’m sure you can. And that your comments and questions are not genuine rather they are just to be offensive and a front to another culture.
Just stay home
And what can I get in the bar to drink? Saudi champagne? (mixture of apple juice and seltzer)
No thanks rather go to Mexico or somewhere even with room half the size!
Also as saw on their website the hotel has "The St Regis Bar" and says "a menu of tempting drinks are served against an elegant backdrop. An experience for the senses, expect skilled mixologists"
Skilled mixologists to mix some sodas and juices which my 5 year old kid can also have?
Saudi Arabia is the custodian of Islam's two holiest mosques. When it allowed US military stationed on its soil in preparation for liberating Kuwait, it gave rise to bin Laden's Al-Qaeda because the monarchy family allowed the Great Satan in the country. Now, it has Iran presence in Yemen on its southern border. It wants to replicate the success of UAE to attract Western tourists fast and furious by doling out multi-millions $$$ to expand tourism and sports in golf, tennis, etc... Tourism and oil industries will cement western presence and military to safe guard it from Iran's threat. We will witness terrorist attacks on western interests once hordes of tourists fly in SA. When Americans emphasize on being pampered in luxury and recognized as the "elite" and the government is in bed with the monarchy family with impunity, it speaks volume what our priorities are and little about what our values are. I do not advocate boycotting visiting any country whose policies contradict with ours. It is a clear comprehension of what extreme capitalism is when we witness how US global and domestic companies treat their labor forces, vendors, elite members, customers, etc.. Money and power are their only ultimate priorities.
“Your ruler”, who? Justin Trudeau?
Rich of you to think that Dubai got to where it is based solely on western money when, in reality, it makes up only a fraction of foreign investments.
India, China, and Russia alone are enough to make these places a success.
Ritz Carlton prison is usually overbooked and its torture lounge is outdated. It also lacks water torture facilities. This over water St Regis is great. But they need several more luxury prisons for high profile inmates.
Rates are ludicrous when in summer you can get the 4S Dubai or the Jumeirah Al Naseem for a bit over 400 euro or you could go to the Maldives for that. Not sure who they will target. Dubai itself has not many American tourists and certainly very few that use the place as a resort destination. Americans have Mexico, Miami or the Caribbean for that. In Dubai, it is mainly Russian, Europeans (predominantly British) and Arabs at the top end resorts. I don't see a lot of those tourists going to Saudi any time soon. Also the Red Sea is not that warm in Winter as the Gulf sea with November through February being the high season for Dubai and the region. The high end (and mid and low end) tourists will continue to visit Dubai and Oman and if they want a value for money location in the Red Sea they will just go to Egypt.
Given the (deserved) bad image and the overwhelming reality of the oppressive Saudi state, I don't see western or Indian tourists going in significant numbers any time soon.
I do notice that they are pouring money like crazy in vloggers and influencers who are obviously trying to push the place and painting a rose-tinted picture.
Indeed. If as I expect they won't get top end tourists, they can repurpose it as a luxury jail in the next power fight among the elite that rules the country. I can 't see Europeans, Russians and Indians, who are the bread and butter of Dubai resorts, going in significant number. Also the Red Sea is not that warm in winter which is the high season in the area. Low and mid end tourists will continue to go to Egypt if they want to visit the Red Sea while high end tourists to the area will continue to visit Dubai and Oman.
If there is lots of J reward availability on the flights and a chance of a suite upgrade on points (which the hotel will have do to attract visitors in the early days), elites will flock there.
Actually a better question to ask if both you and your wife can walk around the resort in bathing suits. Men are also required to dress modestly, torso covered and short pants must covered at least to the knees.
western money when, in reality, it makes up only a fraction of foreign investments.
*buzz* FALSE.
The plurality of the UAE's inflow foreign investment does, and long has, come from five countries, three of which are "Western": UK, India, USA, France, and KSA.
Take it down to just Dubai, and the numbers skew even further in favor of the West.
https://www.lloydsbanktrade.com/en/market-potential/united-arab-emirates/investment
I can't speak for KSA or Grindr...
...but while traveling with a bud throughout the MidEast in mid 2021 (because they were just about the only international places we could freely come and go!), he had absolutely no trouble meeting Russian/Eastern European ladies on Tinder and some other app (can't remember the name) in Egypt, Dubai, and Qatar.
In fact, I barely saw him most nights.
Apparently none of the places care about those sorta things, as long as you don't get stupid with it.
At this point, I'd be somewhat surprised if KSA is all that different underneath, despite Western fears/assumptions.
Lol, I happen to check it out last night since I was looking for a 2025 vacation and have already done Red Sea several times from Egypt side.
Everything said no availability. Hoping they get this ironed out soon.
I would be much more interested in eventually visiting Saudi Arabia if they opened up Mecca and other Islamic sites to non-Muslim visitors. Flying to Saudi Arabia just to stay in a constructed resort area with no alcohol, uncertain personal conduct protocols, and other challenges isn't appealing. But if I could see the Kaaba or whatever on the way to said resort and maybe see/learn stuff, maybe.
Much of the criticism against Saudi Arabia (to a lesser extent, Qatar) is unfound and unjustified, and is measured based on western human rights standards (they do not apply worldwide) - they have their own political system, laws, morals and values that is different from the West, and it's doing alright, unlike the West at the moment.
Tough to see how a place like this works for Western tourists unless they allow alcohol.
"Can’t you have fun without getting drunk and exhibiting your sexuality? I’m sure you can."
I'd agree on the being drunk part, but if you're a gay couple, it's not much of a vacation if you have to spend the whole time hiding that fact.
"Exhibiting your sexuality" might mean as little as a hug with your partner, or asking for a King bed in your room rather than two Queens.
I was looking at later this year since they don't show any 2025 dates.
Kept saying no availability. Guess I'll have to wait for the novelty to wear off or more resorts.
I've snorkeled extensively along the Red Sea from Egypt. Want to see the pristine sites from the Saudi side
There appears to be too many things to think about creating anxiety - why would you bother
No its not. Criticism for executing ppl who have done nothing wrong other than offend a book a fiction should never be normalised
I very much doubt Western international tourists are the target market for this property (just like that weird new resort Ben recently reviewed in Doha overlooking the carpark).
I suspect this is built to cater for rich Saudis living in the major cities looking for a weekend break. Money is no object, they don't drink alcohol, they would also be happy to visit in summer because they would just sit inside with the aircon blasting all day.
Just because its a Bonvoy property don't assume its for Americans.
Stay away from this country if you're traveling with your same sex partner. They consider you a criminal and will murder people like you.
Here's the problem. They are trying to spend a lot of money in tourism and for high end brands but not do much else to change their reputation and laws. Other mid-east countries have shown it is possible to change your laws but not become fully western. It will take time for people's perception to change.
You're absurd. Most people out there don't need alcohol to enjoy themselves. If you can't handle that, go elsewhere.
I really doubt that the KSA would be that much different. A westerner would be unlikely to date a Saudi woman but being together in public in a big city did not seem to be a problem.
I rented a car and when I returned it I asked the young Saudi woman at the counter if they could drop me at the bus station. She replied that they did not offer that service but if I was willing to wait an hour, she would take me in her car. On the drive to the bus station she boasted that she had three different boyfriends and explained the interactions with each one. She did not seem at all uncomfortable having me in her car at all.
Western perceptions of Saudi are quite mistaken. In fact, this April I am planning on returning with my Mexican girlfriend for another epic road trip. I will say though that the Saudi drivers are some of if not the worst in the entire world.
You mean medieval values including execution, torture and anti LGBTQ legislation.
KSA spends billions on architectural projects and airlines, yet does nothing to help millions of refugees in the region.
They want to appear as though they are in the 21st century with a mindset in the 13th.
A juice bar. I don’t understand why alcohol is so important to so many people, other than alcoholics. Is it not possible to fly or spend two weeks away without it ?
Is your vacation centred around alcohol? Then book a tour to a wine region.
And that your comments and questions are not genuine rather they are just to be offensive
Irony is certainly not your strong suit......
I'm no champion of this regime, but can you give us any example of Saudi Arabia executing a foreign gay person, for that "offense?"
What many people including the Saudi government don't realize that their waters are not as clear and blue as Bora Bora for example. Or the Bahamas. The waters tend to be murky and muddy due to the pollution in the area. What's worse is that the air quality in Saudi Arabia on any given day is bad and air pollution is rampant. Blue, clear skies are rare. This should be kept in mind when someone is imaging their over water bungalows as comparable to Maldives or Bora Bora.
I assume no revealing swimwear for female guests? And no unmarried couples sharing a room? And no alcohol?
Sounds like a great place for a getaway!
Thanks for clarifying this for us! I always wondered why they dismembered a journalist with bone saw in a consulate. Now I understand it's just their "political system, laws, morals and values that is different from the West, and it's doing alright."
Unmarried couples have been allowed to rent rooms for years ( https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49947515). Western swimwear is accepted in designated areas. Most likely, alcohol will be allowed in Red Sea resorts soon.
Every time I've swum in the Red Sea, either in Egypt or Saudi Arabia, the water has been crystal clear. The skies in Saudi Arabia are the bluest I've ever encountered. Maybe Riyadh on a bad day can be hazy, but the rest of the country isn't like that.
I just returned from KSA and spent time along the Red Sea. I SCUBA dived there and found the water crystal clear, just like in the Egyptian side. When I was 8 to 10 miles offshore boat diving, I noticed a little hazy condition in the afternoon when I looked back to the coast; however, that's pretty normal for a lot of places in the world. When I stayed at Jeddah, I have very clear view of the coastline from my hotel room, so overall, the pollution isn't that bad.
I just returned from KSA and spent time along the Red Sea. Talked to a number of expats there who regularly SCUBA dive, Yanbu area is fantastic for diving (I agreed after couple boat dives), and the rule of thumb is that more north on the Saudi side, the better for diving. So this Red Sea Resort is located north of Yanbu, so I can see that could be really good for diving/snorkeling. Like Patti said, the Saudi side is not frequent by divers, so the reefs are more pristine and health. Egyptian side is regularly dived (I was diving there a year ago on a liveaboard), and in general, on that side, the more south you go, the better.
I doubt that will ever happen and would mean overturning more than a thousand years of sacred history. Yes, it's fascinating to see Mecca especially during the Haj, but a documentary is the closest we non-muslims will ever get.
The problem is..people that don't drink alcohol think that everyone who drinks is an alcoholic. How about having one beer at lunch to relax? How about one cocktail at dinner or one glass of wine at dinner. Hate to bust your bubble, I lived in Saudi for 26 years and there is so much alcohol flowing around that region. The whole Oil industry was built on the back of westerners drinking Siddiqui. Without Siddiqui, it would have been a sea of bachelors, no one would have brought their families. Alcohol has been around for thousands of years long before Islam. It's been a fundamental part of the WORLDs CULTURE. Prior to 1952 Alcohol was allowed to be imported into KSA since the beginning of time. To disallow my option, as a tourist, to have one beer, is essentially creating a sense of fear, worrying that my Girlfriends clothing is too revealing (oh sorry that is restricted, married couples only - Read St. Regis fine print). Worrying that I'm one skip away from being arrested for some rule that I have no idea about. For this to be successful, they need to drop all rule and regulations and align themselves with the rest of the world. Make Siddiqui their national alcohol, it already is!! Truth be told!!
Booking this hotel now, however upon booking the fee goes up by over double for the transportation cost. The same "transportation" that is supposed to be "included in the room rate" so 4,900 SAR for the room and then 5,500 SAR more for the transportation. So the transportation cost more than the actual room and takes the cost from $1,200 USD to $3,200 USD. They say the boat charter is "included in the room rate" but that doesn't seem to be the case.