Amaala

Amaala is an ultra-luxury tourist destination located in Tabuk Province on the north-western coast of Saudi Arabia, within the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nature Reserve [1].

It was launched by the Public Investment Fund in September 2018 as an exceptional destination designed to offer unique personal experiences to elite travellers, inspired by the worlds of art, culture, health and well-being; the Fund provides the initial funding for the project and its development [1].

Amaala is the first of the projects located within the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nature Reserve, and the project's Founding Board approved its master plan for it to become a global destination in the luxury tourism sector centred on recuperation, health and treatment [2].

The project is located on the north-western coast of the Kingdom in Tabuk Province, within the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nature Reserve, which is among the most beautiful and undiscovered scenic areas in the world [1][2].

On 20 November 2018, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received in Tabuk the Amaala team led by the company's Chief Executive Officer, Nicholas Naples, in the presence of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of the project's Founding Board, and the Governor of Tabuk Province, Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz [2].

During the reception, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was briefed on a visual presentation of the project and its economic and developmental objectives, which included the master plan approved by the Founding Board [2].

The idea of Amaala is built on an entirely new concept of luxury tourism centred on recuperation, health and treatment, and it includes hotels and private villas with distinctive architectural designs [3].

Its location is distinguished by a climate that is a natural extension of the moderate Mediterranean climate and combines the tranquillity of nature with captivating mountain scenery and exceptionally clear marine environments on the shores of the Red Sea [3].

The destination is home to a contemporary art village that offers experiences for resident artists, guests and academics, and hosts a wide range of artistic and cultural events across multi-use spaces including theatre, musical evenings, museums, art exhibition halls, sculptures and the maritime museum, in addition to integrated sports facilities for fitness activities and a marina dedicated to luxury yachts and small boats [3].

The Amaala project serves as a principal driver of economic diversification, creating investment opportunities for the local private sector and attracting foreign direct investment to contribute to the development of the Kingdom's tourism sector [3].

The project safeguards cultural and environmental heritage and pursues sustainability, in harmony with Saudi Vision 2030 [3].

On 22 October 2020, the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadli, sponsored the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry and Amaala to facilitate the implementation and granting of environmental permits and approvals for the project and to strengthen cooperation in environmental conservation; it was signed by the Ministry's Undersecretary for Environment, Dr Osama bin Ibrahim Faqeeha, and the company's Chief Executive Officer, Nicholas Naples [4].

The memorandum provides for a joint working team for environmental impact assessment studies and the protection of the marine and coastal environment and the island and coral reef habitats [4].

On 14 December 2020, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology signed a memorandum of understanding with Amaala to work on joint initiatives and adopt infrastructure, communications and information technology in the destination [1].

The agreement covers cooperation in adopting emerging technologies, smart city solutions and digital transformation, and attracting international companies to transfer and localise technology, alongside developing digital capabilities, skills and digital innovation [1].

In its first phase, Amaala features five resorts that include a 5-kilometre promenade: Equinox Amaala Resort and Residences with 128 rooms and 29 residences; Four Seasons Amaala Resort and Residences with 202 accommodation units and 25 residences, private beaches and a spacious children's centre; Namus Amaala Resort and Residences with 110 rooms, 20 apartments and a group of restaurants; Rosewood Amaala Resort with 110 rooms and suites offering tailored experiences for families and couples through the Asaya Spa; and Six Senses Amaala Resort with 100 hotel units and advanced fitness and detox programmes [7].

The value of the investment in Amaala's first phase amounted to fifty-one billion and four million Saudi riyals (SAR 51,004,000,000), and on completion the destination will reach eight resorts comprising about 1,600 hotel and residential units [7].

A partnership with Equinox was announced on 25 July 2023 to establish Equinox Amaala Resort in the Amaala destination on the Red Sea, as a principal part of Marina Village focused on wellness, sport and fitness, comprising 128 rooms including two luxury penthouse rooms [5].

Red Sea Global signed a strategic agreement with Marriott International on 1 October 2024 to open The Ritz-Carlton Amaala at the northernmost point of the Triple Bay area; the hotel comprises 391 rooms with views of the sea, Marina Village and the mountain slopes, with 80% of guest rooms overlooking the water [6].

Red Sea Global announced the official inauguration of the Amaala destination on 15 June 2026, with the opening of Four Seasons Amaala Resort and Residences in the Triple Bay area, the first of the destination's resorts and the starting point of its operations [8].

The Triple Bay area is set to comprise more than 1,600 hotel rooms distributed across nine high-end resorts, with a vibrant coastal centre and iconic landmarks, most notably the Amaala Yacht Club and Corallium, the marine life centre [8].

Official operations began for the Amaala Yacht Club, inside Marina Village at the Amaala destination, on 14 September 2026; Marina Amaala comprises 119 berths and accommodates superyachts exceeding 100 metres in length with integrated marine services including fuelling; the club extends over an area of 7,900 square metres and forms the grand finale hub of The Ocean Race 2027 [9].

Amaala relies entirely on renewable energy at 100%, which limits carbon emissions reaching 350,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, and it aims to achieve a net environmental benefit of 30% by 2040 [7].

To preserve its pristine environment, the destination will receive a maximum of 500,000 visitors annually [7].

Q: What is the Amaala destination? A: An ultra-luxury tourist destination on the north-western coast of Saudi Arabia in Tabuk Province, within the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nature Reserve, launched by the Public Investment Fund in September 2018 [1].

Q: Where is Amaala located? A: In Tabuk Province on the Red Sea coast in north-western Saudi Arabia, within the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nature Reserve [1].

Q: What is the concept of Amaala? A: Luxury tourism on an entirely new concept centred on recuperation, health and treatment, with hotels and private villas, a contemporary art village, artistic, cultural and sports facilities, and a marina for yachts [3].

Q: How much was invested in Amaala's first phase? A: Fifty-one billion and four million Saudi riyals, within a destination that on completion will reach eight resorts comprising about 1,600 hotel and residential units [7].

Q: When did Amaala open? A: It was officially inaugurated on 15 June 2026 with the opening of Four Seasons Amaala Resort and Residences in the Triple Bay area, the first of the destination's resorts [8].

Amaala combines luxury hospitality, wellness and environmental sustainability, and includes world-class resorts, a yacht club and a marina that accommodates superyachts, among the major projects led by the Public Investment Fund in north-western Saudi Arabia [7][8][9]. The project joins other major tourist destinations on the Red Sea coast, including the Red Sea Project and NEOM [7].