Sustainable hospitality brand Our Habitas has announced plans for three new properties in Leyja, the latest sustainable tourism destination from Neom in northwest Saudi Arabia.
Bringing to life Leyja’s luxury eco-tourism vision, the destination has been developed within a natural wadi and carved between 400m-high mountains crafted over centuries by the power of nature and water. Starting from the Gulf of Aqaba coast and winding inland, guests will walk from the destination’s experience centre to each property, allowing them to take in the dramatic landscape – with the first resort approximately 2.8km from the entrance.
Designed by acclaimed architects, the development will comprise a total of 120 guestrooms and suites split equally across the trio of properties, each offering different experiences while immersing residents in a journey of human transformation through disconnection and reconnection.
Each Our Habitas home will harness the delicate balance of allowing nature to be the hero. With 95% of Leyja preserved for nature, the properties will be housed within architectural structures designed to enhance the natural surroundings.
The design for the Home of Adventure traces the topography of the wadi and forms an otherworldly appearance, allowing guests to embrace rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding and multi-day treks.
Situated further into the wadi meanwhile, the Oasis naturally rises alongside the mountains, symbolising the livable balance between natural protection and strategic innovation. Oasis will indulge guests in stargazing rituals and culinary delights, including a chef in residence programme.
The final hotel within Leyja will be a restorative retreat. A highly reflective piece of architecture, the Home of Wellness mirrors the surrounding landscape. The property will play host to global longevity experts while blending innovative wellness practices with ancient rituals.
Guests are encouraged to experience each of the three homes as part of a journey to the region, immersing themselves in a distinctive resort whilst also having the opportunity to embrace the entire valley as a collective space. On arrival, guests will be invited to embrace Our Habitas’ signature welcome ceremony – a five-minute ritual that grounds visitors in their purpose for coming and their intentions for the journey ahead, before learning more about the region.
“This project is truly unique and visionary,” says Oliver Ripley, co-founder and CEO of Our Habitas. “The natural beauty is otherworldly, the architecture and design remarkable, and the experience will offer our community an ever-deeper journey of discovery and transformation – both of themselves and their connection to the natural world around them. We are honoured to have this opportunity.”
Chris Newman, Executive Director of Neom’s Hotel Division, comments: “Our Habitas successfully pushes the traditional limits of hospitality and offers inclusive experiences that engages guests’ imagination. This approach truly resonates with our ambition to be a catalyst for change in our industry. Visitors to Leyja can expect to be enchanted by Our Habitas with a personalised experience, supported by the wider Neom tourism infrastructure.”
Jeremy Lester, Neom’s Executive Director of Gulf of Aqaba, adds: “Leyja effortlessly blends natural and developed landscapes in an innovative and sustainable manner, aligned with Neom’s broader commitment to conservation. Our Habitas’ thoughtfully curated hotel experience promises serenity, escape and adventure, set amongst the area’s stunning natural beauty.”
In keeping with Our Habitas and Neom’s shared desire to redefine the future of hospitality, the partnership was first unveiled in a purpose-built metaverse environment mirroring the location where the hotels will be situated. Guests of the announcement received a sneak peek into the experience with next-generation pixel scale detail, as they witnessed for the first time the environment that will be offered at Our Habitas in Leyja.
