Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and Amaala, has revealed details of Shebara – it’s very own luxury hotel brand, set to open at The Red Sea in Summer 2024.
Revealed at the World Travel Market in London, Shebara is the first resort to be owned and operated by RSG at The Red Sea. Located on Sheybarah Island in the Al Wajh Lagoon, the property comprises 73 keys, including overwater and beach villas. Guests arrive either by a 45-minute boat ride from the mainland or 20 minutes by seaplane.
“It has long been our mission to extend our pioneering approach to regenerative tourism across a wider portfolio of brands and subsidiary companies, to create an ecosystem that will drive meaningful change in the global tourism industry,” says John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG. “Shebara is a beacon for all that RSG stands for, showcasing the very best in Saudi hospitality while setting new standards in responsible development and sustainable operations.”
The development is made up of stainless steel orbs, with the southern approach revealing the first stainless steel villas on the horizon, representing a string of pearls, with a striking reception building at the centre, forming the ‘pendant’. The arrival point was carefully positioned within a natural break in the coral reef, providing a dramatic seascape whether arriving by sea or seaplane, while demonstrative of a broader commitment to sustainability.
Elsewhere across the resort, two swimming pools include lily pad seating terraces with panoramic views of the sunset, while guests can choose from two specialty restaurants, or relax at a spa and fitness centre nestled among the island’s sand dunes.
Additionally, the furthermost island is available to book exclusively, with a dedicated jetty for private yacht mooring. The island includes a four-bedroom villa, plus three one-bedroom villas, as well as a private beach and barbeque area.
Developed by Killa Design, the entire resort centres around reflections of nature. Each space has been designed to flow with its environment, with the stainless steel villas reflecting the colours and surface patterns of the ocean and the intense colours of the sky as they change throughout the day. The overwater orbs are cantilevered over the water, which creates an effect of a string of pearls levitating above the water.
Shaun Killa, Design Director and Founder of Killa Design, explains: “Shebara is a wonderful example of what is possible when creating beautiful yet meaningful design. It demonstrates how innovative architecture can gracefully flow into nature, with pods that reflect and refract light from the sun, the sky and the sea to naturally blend with the environment. From the eco-materials chosen to the lunar positioning of the villas, our priority has been to honor the natural beauty that exists here, while creating a resort that embodies modern luxury.”
Development is happening at pace, with all 38 stainless steel overwater villas now in place. While the first overwater villa took nine hours to install, the developer perfected this process so that the last villa was in place in under two hours. So far, 25 of the beach villas have been installed, and substantial progress has been made on the other front and back of house structures and infrastructure.
As with the whole of The Red Sea, Shebara will be powered by sunlight day and night with its own dedicated solar farm, which features more than 11,000 PV panels. In total, RSG has constructed five solar farms to power the first phase of the destination, with more than 760,000 PV panels installed.
Shebara joins an impressive roster of hospitality brands operating at The Red Sea, including St Regis, Ritz Carlton Reserve and Six Senses. The project’s announcement follows news that RSG is developing Thuwal Private Retreat, an exclusive island destination that will also be wholly owned and operated by RSG.
Last month The Red Sea welcomed its first guests. Two of its hotels are open for bookings and the Red Sea International Airport has been operating a regular schedule of flights since September 2023. Upon full completion in 2030, the destination will comprise 50 resorts, offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and more than 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites. The destination will also include luxury marinas, golf courses, entertainment, F&B and leisure facilities.
