Hyatt has announced plans for its newest luxury hotel development, and… it almost doesn’t look real?
In this post:
350-room Park Hyatt Jaumur & Andaz Jaumur Marina
Hyatt has revealed plans for two hotels in Jaumur, a marina community in Magna, on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. This is part of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious NEOM project. Specifically, the 125-room Park Hyatt Jaumur and 225-room Andaz Jaumur Marina are expected to open in 2027.
Below is a rendering of the property. Like most of Saudi Arabia’s current ambitious tourism projects, I can’t help but wonder what I’m actually looking at, because I really don’t know.
Here’s how Hyatt describes the Jaumur development:
Jaumur offers a visionary blend of land and sea experiences, setting a new standard for coastal luxury living for residents and guests. This exclusive destination features a state-of-the-art 300-berth marina with a gravity-defying cantilever rising above the largest of super yachts, a sculptural landmark that serves as the perfect base for marina attractions. The marina promenade will be a place alive with entertainment, leisure, and cultural experiences alongside the deep-sea diving research centre, dedicated to deep-sea exploration.
Serving to anchor Jaumur as a destination, Park Hyatt Jaumur and Andaz Jaumur Marina are being designed to meet the highest standards of future livability and active lifestyles. Guests will be able to immerse themselves in a unique fusion of land and sea experiences – from hiking, cycling, and water sports hubs for adventure seekers to luxurious beach, art, and yacht clubs, for those seeking relaxation. These offerings provide guests with unparalleled access to one-of-a-kind experiences amid Jaumur’s vibrant community.
And here’s how Hyatt describes the two properties:
Park Hyatt Jaumur will sit at the community’s vibrant epicenter, overlooking the bustling marina. Designed as an oasis of relaxation with 125 rooms, Park Hyatt Jaumur will serve as a home-away-from-home that seamlessly blends the very best entertainment, leisure, and cultural experiences, enabling guests to immerse themselves in unmatched offerings.
Andaz Jaumur Marina, with 225 modern rooms and suites, will be a celebration of art and creativity, capturing the very soul of Jaumur. The hotel will inspire innovation while offering an eclectic allure, making it a luxury lifestyle destination for those seeking an escape from the ordinary. With a focus on personalized experiences, Andaz Jaumur Marina will envelop guests in its unique charm, with each meticulous detail contributing to a signature experience.
I’m happy to see that… *checks notes*… the Andaz “will envelop guests in its unique charm, with each meticulous detail contributing to a signature experience.” That tell us a lot! 😉
I can’t help but find all of this fascinating
I’m intrigued by Saudi Arabia’s attempt to develop its tourism industry. That’s not because I’m a cheerleader for Saudi Arabia, but rather because we’ve never seen a country invest so much money in tourism so quickly, all while admittedly having a bit of a reputation issue in the West.
Saudi Arabia isn’t just developing one small area, but rather the country has endless projects, and the plan is for all of them to be ready in the coming years. So whether it’s the Red Sea Project or NEOM, I’m just amazed by how over-the-top the goals are.
Every single one of these developments looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, no? Like, what’s actually going on here? I suppose nothing is as wild as “The Line,” though that project has been scaled back a bit.
Anyway, I can’t help but keep tabs on this project, and see how it develops. I don’t think there’s any chance the whole thing will develop as quickly as is being promised, or at least not in a way where it looks like the renderings. But I’m curious whether this turns out to be a semi-success, or if a decade down the road, Saudi Arabia will have abandoned projects to a scale we’ve never seen before.
Bottom line
Hyatt has announced plans to open a combined 350-room Park Hyatt and Andaz property in Magna, NEOM’s coastal destination. Like so many things Saudi Arabia is working on, this project almost doesn’t look real, and I’m excited to report back on this in 2027, one way or another.
What do you make of the Park Hyatt & Andaz coming to NEOM?
I wonder if the final result will look anything like that.
Billionaire Russian oligarchs, Saudi royals and Chinese elite have a new playground. Anyone who believes in democracy or basic human rights should avoid Saudi Arabia like the plague, no matter how alluring they try to make NOEM.
“… while admittedly having a bit of a reputation issue in the West.”
Same line in every single post about Saudi Arabia, so here’s the same comment I make every time.
There’s more to the world than just “the west”, this western supremacy needs to end and so-called “westerners” need to understand they aren’t better than everyone else sharing the planet.
If you hate the "west" this much, please go immigrate to Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, pick your poison.
All great until one realises that the government actually ordered to shoot villagers who refused to leave their homes to make way for The Line - at least one was executed and many imprisoned for resisting to leave their home. At least three workers died due to a lack of health and safety implementation and not to mention the project is just a joke amongst the architectural community (coming from my wife who is an...
All great until one realises that the government actually ordered to shoot villagers who refused to leave their homes to make way for The Line - at least one was executed and many imprisoned for resisting to leave their home. At least three workers died due to a lack of health and safety implementation and not to mention the project is just a joke amongst the architectural community (coming from my wife who is an architect and urban designer having worked with the Norman Foster Foundation). No surprise that the Norman Foster Foundation has officially cut ties and distanced themselves from the project. Best description of Neom that resonated was by a reporter who posted “great! I’ve always dreamt of living on an industrial facility in the surface of the sun.”
In short, we have the decision to bring to the forefront topics as bloggers. We all have a voice - choosing not to report on a project is to making a conscious decision. This project is simply distasteful to endorse through anticipation. Frankly I hope it burns and dies before more people get hurt.
I am not challenging your comments. It is the first time that I am hearing about this. Can you please provide links so we can be exposed to additional information.
"All great until one realises that the government actually ordered to shoot villagers who refused to leave their homes to make way for The Line - at least one was executed and many imprisoned for resisting to leave their home."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68945445
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/neom-controversy-saudi-arabia-9587508/lite/
Would the resort feature a stoning pit, beside a fire pit?
Dubai is best done with a connection. Saudi Arabia is best done as a flyover. Not interested in any of them. Soulless desert outposts screaming for character and having little of it to offer.
They make some good airports though!
The success of Dubai won’t be easily replicated due to financial loop holes been forced to close. For years and years, UAE banks especially in Dubai was basically blind and didn’t care where money came from. It was a very easy way to launder money into legit business. And provided that Dubai had one of the best tax regimes and progressive policies to expats, made it easy to convince foreigners to invest. Saudia Arabia wanting...
The success of Dubai won’t be easily replicated due to financial loop holes been forced to close. For years and years, UAE banks especially in Dubai was basically blind and didn’t care where money came from. It was a very easy way to launder money into legit business. And provided that Dubai had one of the best tax regimes and progressive policies to expats, made it easy to convince foreigners to invest. Saudia Arabia wanting to do this by first building an amazing city just won’t be successful. First, it’s going to be scaled way down… and way over budget. Second, tourist wont come unless there is a vibrant local tourism, which needs people to actually live there… which is the third point, no one would live there due to the fact that there is no financial loophole to launder money, tax and policy regimes aren’t good at all compared to UAE…
Ben and Saudi Arabia, name a better duo
Cool. As an LGBTQ+ person I will never visit.
It’s sad to see so many queer influencers talking up this project or Riyadh Air.
These buildings look like something out of Dune. I kinda like it - too bad it’s going somewhere I’ll never likely visit for the same reason.
That doesn't seem to concern Ben in the slightest.
Nope! He’s not the only one who has talked up this project or RiyadhAir. There’s another blogger that I’m disappointed in (Nonstop Dan, looking at you bud) for giving Saudi Arabia a platform.
Ben truly only cares one thing - and that’s the ability to be arrogant about travel. I’ve found his silence on LGBTQ+ issues to be deafening.
The Neom project is just going to end up being a 1.5 km square vanity project, it’s lacking global investment and these “partnerships” and letters of intent are literally aspirational designed to demonstrate to potential investors that’s there is international interest. Let’s see but my guess it will end being a giant AI server farm with accommodation mainly for employees and their families.
"Let’s see but my guess it will end being a giant AI server farm..."
The irony of having a server farm in Saudi Arabia is great.
On reflection LOL ;-)
I wonder if this heavy investment into tourism is influenced by the eventual decline of petroleum as a major revenue source for their kingdom?
Looks cool. Ben have you heard anything on the NEOM airline that was also rumored a few years back?