Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: Private Red Sea island shell-canopy palace with Tabrah, overwater infinity pool villas, and Neyrah Spa

Floating with breathtaking organic shell-inspired architectural majesty amidst the untouched turquoise barrier reefs of the private Ummahat Islands in the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia (reached via a 30-minute private chartered yacht or seaplane transfer from Red Sea International Airport), Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve opened in 2024 as the Middle East’s first ultra-luxury Ritz-Carlton Reserve grand palace. Masterfully designed by celebrated British architecture firm Foster + Partners, the 63-villa luxury sanctuary features shell-like curving timber roofs inspired by indigenous seashells and desert dunes. Featuring the acclaimed open-air dining institution Tabrah, the Levantine grill Sita, private freshwater infinity pools on every overwater and beach villa, the Conservation House marine research center, and the palatial Neyrah Spa, this property is Saudi Arabia’s ultimate luxury grand palace.

Arrival introduces travelers to unvarnished Red Sea marine splendour and Saudi Arabian island majesty: dedicated Personal Butlers (Nujuma Guides) greet guests at the private overwater seaplane pavilion with fragrant cardamom coffee and dates before transferring in electric solar buggies across timber overwater boardwalks to your private villa with private pool, panoramic Red Sea vistas, and chilled sparkling date juice with warm lobster samosas. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating bespoke Red Sea diving, stargazing, and marine pursuits: boarding the resort’s private dive boat to explore untouched coral walls, manta ray feeding grounds, and sea turtle lagoons in the Blue Hole (steps away), private guided stargazing sessions with resident astronomers under the pristine dark sky reserve (in resort), private windsurfing, foiling, and paddleboarding across the turquoise lagoon (steps away), swimming in your private villa infinity pool or the lap pool, indulging in Arabian oud and sea salt therapies at Neyrah Spa, sipping signature mocktails at Jamaa, and reserving dinner at Tabrah.

Palace living balances active Red Sea water expeditions with serene desert-island wellness: Neyrah Spa features private luxury treatment suites (including outdoor water pavilions), vitality hydrotherapy pools, saunas, steam rooms, and therapies utilizing organic Arabian frankincense, moringa oil, and Red Sea mineral salts. Dining is an extraordinary Arabian-Mediterranean culinary summit: refined seafood gastronomy at Tabrah (featuring fresh Red Sea emperor fish, tiger prawns, and mocktail pairings), Levantine cuisine at Sita, poolside light fare at Jamaa, and in-villa royal dining.

Accommodations comprise 63 overwater and beachfront villas styled by Foster + Partners in sweeping shell-canopy roofs, natural timbers, local artwork, and private freshwater infinity plunge pools with direct reef access ranging from 120 to 520 square metres. Each residence features dedicated 24-hour personal butler service, plush king beds with custom linens, and open-air marble bathrooms with deep soaking bathtubs, embedded TV mirrors, and custom amenities.

Island purists, stargazers, and luxury travelers seeking Red Sea seclusion, Foster + Partners architecture, and overwater pool villas in Saudi Arabia should book Nujuma without hesitation. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 920 reviews and a 4.9 out of 5 on Google across 1,400 reviews.