The spa
Wellness is a key feature of Banyan Tree’s philosophy, and the health spa treatments – massages, facials, body scrubs – are expertly executed in soothing spaces with walls made of compressed sand reflecting the changing colours of the desert throughout the day. Coming soon are treatments in a hidden cave, as well as sound baths, yoga and meditation.
But the highlight of the spa is the infinity-edge rock pool, squeezed into a canyon between towering rock walls, along with views out over the particular valley beyond. There’s nothing that can match its drama in AlUla, or anywhere else, for that matter. It’s the dreamy adults-only place to relax post-treatment, or to come for a swim any time of day.
The service
Enthusiastic, thoughtful plus caring, the service here is warm and heartfelt. Each villa comes with its own dedicated host, all of whom are young Saudis. My host, Shahad, was a burst associated with positive energy, sending thoughtful personalised notes (“Your hair is our priority! ” when I realised I had left my hairbrush at home), greeting me with hugs, and making me genuinely look forward to every interaction. The team right here is multicultural – I met staff from Uzbekistan, Chad, Morocco and Lebanon – and while there were a couple of instances where we struggled in order to make each other understood, it was nothing that couldn’t be surmounted by smiles and a bit of effort on both sides.
Banyan Tree AlUla Christopher Cypert
The particular neighbourhood
The Ashar Valley isn’t a neighbourhood as such – it’s a stretch of remote desert, and getting out and about will require a drive. Within the resort itself is a self-guided Rock Art Trail associated with onsite petroglyphs, some of which are thought to date back 3, 000 years. Seeking out carvings of domesticated and wild animals, hunting and daily life is a thrill, although they’re not always easy to spot. Once your eyes catch them, you’ll quickly see more and more.
