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.
Many major luxury hotel groups have committed to building properties here, and we’re slowly starting to see them open. For example, in 2024 we saw the opening of the St. Regis Red Sea Resort and Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Resort, both on private islands. Soon we’re going to see the opening of Shura Island, a new type of concept, with 11 resorts on one island.
Let me emphasize that I’m writing about this not because I think everyone should immediately plan a trip to Saudi Arabia, but rather because I find this whole development to be sort of fascinating, and am curious how it evolves.
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Basics of the Red Sea EDITION resort
The Red Sea EDITION is now accepting reservations for stays as of October 12, 2025. This will be EDITION’s second property in Saudi Arabia, after the Jeddah EDITION. The Red Sea EDITION will feature 240 guest rooms, each with one to three bedrooms (of the 240 accommodations, 53 will be suites).
The resort will also have two signature restaurants, a destination bar, a beach bar, a full service spa, a swimming pool, and a spa. Despite the property’s opening being imminent, details remain fairly limited in terms of what we can expect, with Marriott’s website not even having any details about dining.
This property will be one of the first to open on Shura Island. While many other resorts are built on private islands, the idea is that Shura Island is one big island with a bunch of resorts. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Red Sea International (RSI), and there’s a bridge connecting it to the main island.
Once complete, Shura Island will boast a total of 11 resorts, ranging from Four Seasons to Rosewood. In addition to the EDITION, the other first two properties to open will be the InterContinental and SLS. Shura Island is intended to be a leisure destination, and will even have an 18-hole golf course, the first built on an island in Saudi Arabia.
I’m very curious to see how this whole development plays out. There will be a ton of hotel inventory, so will this actually become some sort of tourism hotspot, or will it become a ghost island?
The Red Sea EDITION rates & points requirements
With the Red Sea EDITION now bookable, what are rates like? Rates currently seem to start at ~$500 per night, though get a little more expensive in peak season.
If you are going to book a cash stay at the Red Sea EDITION, I’d highly recommend doing so through the Marriott STARS program. This will score you perks like complimentary breakfast, a $100 food & beverage credit, a room upgrade subject to availability, and more.
When it comes to redeeming Bonvoy points, I see points redemptions starting at 102,000 points per night. I value Bonvoy points at 0.7 cents each, so that’s not exactly a great use of points.
We’ll see how pricing evolves, since we’re seeing the opening of the first resorts of a completely new island concept. I imagine pricing could evolve significantly over time, either to get higher or lower.
Bottom line
The Red Sea EDITION will be opening as of October 2025, as Marriott’s latest resort in the Red Sea region. This will be located on Shura Island, an island that will eventually have 11 resorts. The first three of those resorts are opening in the coming months, so I’m curious to see how this all evolves.
What do you make of the new Red Sea EDITION?
Honestly, I don't care.
I'd be more excited about a resort on the moon. Saudi Arabia is simply not a destination for me.
I wonder the tourist target if it will be fellow Arabs or local Saudis, compared to non-Arabs. I also wonder if this special area on the Red Sea will have alcohol at least available to non-Muslims. Interesting you did not comment about the incentives the major hotel groups may be getting for this. If occupancy is low the hotel groups will not want to lose money.
How on earth are people supposed to get there? Red Sea Airport has three airlines, Fly Dubai, Qatar, and Saudia. Anyone taking a long haul flight to Dubai or Qatar has infinite options of better places to visit.
Also, this new destination reminds me of executives saying, Singapore is nice, but you need to go to Thailand to have fun. Who would leave Dubai to have fun in Saudi Arabia?
It seems like most of these resorts are not getting many guests and thus are having to resort to having "influencers" come and market these properties. Every influencer makes the same comment on how they are the only guest or have the entire run of the property to themselves. My point is that all of these new properties keep opening up but as of now, not many customers are interested. Maybe that will change down the line but it seems like that may be years away.
"I find this whole development to be sort of fascinating, and am curious how it evolves." Same, in the sense that I find watching a scorpion fascinating. Just like the scorpion, I'd rather observe from behind a screen and never see one up close in real life.
A "destination bar" that doesn't serve alcohol is hilarious.
I think there is a good chance that Saudi will change to a Dubai style alcohol law soon, in order to boost luxury tourism.
You don't build a destination bar. You become a destination bar by demonstrating excellence. Also, EDITION hotels suck in general and I don't want to visit a country where I can be jailed for making fun of the reigning monarch. Same reason I don't visit the US anymore!