Desert Rock, Red Sea

Opening next year (2023), the Desert Rock resort will be carved into the mountains, quite literally immersing guests in their environment. Developed by The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) as part of The Red Sea Project, the luxury resort will provide panoramic views of the mountain canyons below and the canopy of stars above. Inspired by the rugged terrain, which also includes volcanoes and wadis, Desert Rock will feature 48 villas and 12 hotel suites ranging from ground-level dwellings to crevice hotel suites midway up the mountain. “Desert Rock offers a ‘never before seen’ opportunity for guests to connect physically and metaphysically with one of the most dramatic desert landscapes in the world,” according to

Chad Oppenheim, founder of Oppenheim Architecture, the design and planning firm behind the concept. Guests will enter the resort through a hidden valley nestled between the mountains. Most roads leading into the resort will follow the edge of the main wadi, hidden behind landscape mounds, to provide uninterrupted views. This will also minimise sound and light pollution. Resort facilities will include spa and fitness centre, remote destination dining areas, as well as a feature lagoon oasis. Visitors will be able to hike with members of the local community who will provide educational tours of the area. Dune buggies will also be on hand to hire as part of the site-wide activities programme.