Visit Red Sea: How this destination redefines luxury travel
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
There are few places in the world where luxury feels entirely new, not reimagined or refreshed, but rewritten from the ground up. The Red Sea is one of them. Set along the west coast of Saudi Arabia, at the crossroads of Europe, North America and Asia, this vast stretch of coastline is emerging as one of the most ambitious travel destinations of our time. Yet for all its scale and vision, what defines it is not grandeur, but purity.
Spanning some 28,000 square kilometres, the region unfolds in a breathtaking sweep of untouched islands, more than 90 scattered across impossibly clear waters, fringed by soft white sands, desert dunes and rugged mountain canyons. Beneath the surface lies one of the world’s largest barrier reef systems, where coral gardens and marine life thrive in extraordinary abundance. It is wild, elemental and cinematic, paired with a level of considered luxury designed to feel both world class and deeply connected to its surroundings.
With its first resorts now welcoming guests and a bold trajectory towards 2030, The Red Sea is not simply adding another pin to the luxury travel map. It is redefining what that map can look like, where sustainability, seclusion and architectural beauty coexist in a way that feels entirely future facing.
Want more information this project, you can discover more on visitredsea.com.
Table of contents 📝
Getting to Red Sea International Airport
Part of what makes The Red Sea feel so considered is that the experience begins long before you reach your resort. I flew with Qatar Airways from London Heathrow to Doha, an effortless direct route, before a short onward connection to Red Sea International Airport (RSI). The flight from Doha takes around two and a half hours, just enough time to watch the landscape shift from city lights to vast desert and coastline below.
Arriving at RSI feels less like stepping into an airport and more like entering a beautifully designed private members’ lounge. The architecture immediately sets the tone, all sweeping lines and soft, desert-inspired hues that mirror the surrounding landscape. It is calm, spacious and quietly luxurious, without the frenetic energy you associate with most international terminals.
The details are what truly stand out. Our checked luggage was already taken care of, so there was no jostling at conveyor belts or wrestling suitcases onto trolleys. Instead, we were invited to pause, greeted with fresh dates and traditional Arabic coffee while we waited for our transfer. Outside, a fleet of colour-coordinated cars stood pristinely lined up, each one perfectly in place as if part of a carefully choreographed arrival.
It is rare for an airport to make you want to linger, but RSI does exactly that. More grand lounge than transit hub, it sets the mood from the very first moment, signalling that this is luxury travel done differently.
The St. Regis Red Sea Resort
Our first stop on this Red Sea adventure was The St. Regis Red Sea Resort, set within the Ummahat archipelago, a scattering of islands that feel blissfully removed from the rest of the world. Reached from the Saudi mainland by speedboat or seaplane, the resort occupies a secluded pocket of the pioneering Red Sea project, where sea and sky seem to blur into one endless horizon.
We opted for the plush speedboat transfer, easing into the journey on cushioned loungers with drinks served as we skimmed across the water. It was one of those arrivals that instantly heightens the anticipation, reminiscent of my trips to the Maldives, where the transition from mainland to island is part of the theatre. That sense of leaving the ordinary behind and gliding towards somewhere far more extraordinary is, for me, always when the magic truly begins.
On arrival, we were warmly welcomed by Zeeshan, our dedicated host for the duration of our stay, who ensured everything unfolded seamlessly from the very first moment. That signature St. Regis attentiveness was immediately apparent, polished yet personal, the kind of service that anticipates rather than reacts. As we toured the resort, its sense of space stood out. The St. Regis Red Sea feels expansive and thoughtfully laid out, with Dune Villas positioned just steps from the shoreline and the iconic overwater bungalows stretching gracefully into the turquoise beyond. Each setting offers its own rhythm, whether you prefer waking to the sound of soft waves on the sand or suspended above the reef with nothing but sea in every direction.
The sweep of beach is vast and beautifully kept, with a generous offering of watersports including complimentary kayaks and paddleboards, as well as guided snorkelling excursions that reveal the reef’s remarkable marine life. Dotted along the shoreline are inviting cabanas, perfect for settling in with a book or lingering over something cool between swims. For a slower pace, the spa is a sanctuary in itself. I opted for a 60-minute hot stone massage which was exactly what was needed after a day of travel, grounding, restorative and deeply calming.
When it comes to dining, The St. Regis Red Sea delivers a refined and varied culinary experience. At Gishiki 45, modern Japanese cuisine takes centre stage, with live cooking and an intimate omakase experience that honours tradition while celebrating the freshest local seafood. For elevated dining with a view, Tilina, the Reef Top Grill House, floats above the reef and pairs sweeping sea vistas with an à la carte menu showcasing the finest locally grown and international ingredients, crafted into beautifully balanced dishes. Meanwhile, The Beach Club offers a more relaxed, beachside setting where globally inspired light bites and grilled favourites are served just steps from the water, alongside refreshing infused lemonades. Each venue feels distinct, yet united by the same attention to detail, where setting, flavour and atmosphere come together in a way that feels both indulgent and effortlessly considered.
One question followed me throughout my stay at The St. Regis Red Resort Sea: How does it compare to the Maldives?
Honestly, the fairest answer is that they are both extraordinary in their own right. If you are seeking a truly luxurious beach escape with powder-soft sands and impossibly clear water, The St. Regis more than delivers. One afternoon we headed out to snorkel and I was genuinely taken aback by the clarity of the sea, some of the bluest waters I have ever slipped into. The visibility was remarkable, the reef vibrant and alive beneath us. I left already plotting a return, eager to explore even more of what lies below the surface.
In terms of who it suits, this is a true all-rounder. The resort feels wonderfully family friendly, yet equally romantic for couples or perfectly pitched for a celebratory trip with friends. Its generous footprint means you can shape the stay entirely to your mood, whether that is lively and activity-filled or slow and secluded, all without the sense of crowds or queues. It offers the space to breathe, which in itself feels like the ultimate luxury.
Six Senses Southern Dunes
After a few blissful days fully immersed in beach mode, we sped back to the mainland by boat, where a seamless car transfer awaited to take us inland to Six Senses Southern Dunes. The shift in landscape alone felt cinematic, trading endless turquoise horizons for vast desert plains and distant mountain silhouettes.
I am usually someone who researches every detail before arriving somewhere new. But with Six Senses, I have learned that the magic lies in the reveal. Having experienced the brand before, I knew to expect something extraordinary, yet nothing quite prepares you for the moment it unfolds in front of you. Their resorts have an innate ability to draw you into the landscape while simultaneously transforming it into something almost otherworldly.
Set along the historic incense trade route, framed by the desert expanse and the dramatic Hijaz Mountains, the arrival is nothing short of breathtaking. Just when you think you are surrounded by nothing but sand and sky, you step inside and find yourself in what feels like a hidden oasis. Towering tropical plants cascade overhead, birdsong echoes softly, and water features trickle gently through the space. It feels like stumbling upon a secret garden in the heart of the desert, the kind you would expect to find in the pages of a fantasy novel rather than along an ancient trade route.
The style of Six Senses Southern Dunes feels distinctly different from The St. Regis Red Sea, and not only because of the landscape. Where The St. Regis leans into a more avant-garde, polished resort aesthetic, Six Senses embraces a softer, wellness-led spirit with an understated bohemian edge. The luxury here feels quieter and more intentional. Instead of traditional butlers or hosts, selected villas are assigned a Guest Experience Maker, or GEM, whose role is to gently guide you through the Six Senses philosophy and ensure your stay feels deeply personal and immersive.
During our time there, we truly leaned into the concept of living through the senses. We hiked barefoot at sunrise as the desert shifted from cool blue to burnished gold, took part in an Arabian cooking class that celebrated regional flavours, and carved out time to fully surrender to the spa, detoxing both physically and mentally in the stillness of the dunes.
The dining experiences at Bariya and Al Sarab were particularly memorable. Here, nourishment is woven into every dish and drink. Menus are thoughtfully crafted using locally sourced and homegrown ingredients wherever possible, with a focus on gut-friendly elements and natural flavours. Even the mocktails feel purposeful, infused with botanicals and ingredients designed to restore and replenish. It is cuisine that feels indulgent yet aligned with wellbeing, proof that health-conscious dining can still be beautifully elevated.
As someone who gravitates instinctively towards all things wellness, Six Senses Southern Dunes completely captured my heart. There is an intentionality to the experience that goes far beyond aesthetics, it is woven into the daily rhythm of the resort, from sunrise rituals to nourishing cuisine and restorative spa treatments.
I can see this property working beautifully for couples seeking reconnection, for friends wanting a meaningful escape, or even for solo travellers craving space to reset. There is something incredibly empowering about being in a setting that encourages you to slow down and tune in, without ever feeling prescriptive.
For me, it felt like more than just a hotel stay. It felt like a gentle immersion into retreat-style living, where wellbeing is not an add-on but the foundation. I left feeling lighter, clearer and deeply restored, which, to me, is the greatest luxury of all.
Final Thoughts
The Red Sea project is not simply about checking into a beautiful resort, it is about experiencing a destination that unfolds in contrasting landscapes, from overwater island villas to vast desert dunes framed by mountains. The ability to pair barefoot beach days with immersive desert wellness within one trip makes it feel layered and thoughtfully curated, allowing you to experience multiple worlds in a single stay.
What struck me most, however, is how seamlessly elevated the journey feels from the very beginning. From the architectural calm of Red Sea International Airport to the polished transfers and intuitive service throughout, the luxury here is deliberate and future facing. This is not just another high-end escape, it is a bold reimagining of what modern luxury travel can look like. And if this is only the beginning, then The Red Sea is undoubtedly a destination to watch.
Book your next stay at Red Sea and check out their latest projects by visiting: visitredsea.com
This stay was gently offered by Visit Red Sea. All views and opinions here are as usual my own.
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