A private island resort in Saudi Arabia is the most expensive hotel in the Middle East, according to a new survey conducted by TravelMag.com
Photo: Banyan Tree Alula / Courtesy of Booking.com
The survey compared rates at all luxury hotels in the Middle East region based on the minimum price a couple will have to spend on overnight stays during the period spanning January 1 to January 31, 2024. January is the month when hotel rates in many Middle Eastern destinations tend to be at their highest.
With a minimum rate of $1,765 per night, St. Regis Red Sea Resort in Saudi Arabia leads the rankings. Opened at the beginning of January 2024, the brand new hotel is situated on the pristine Ummahat Island in the Al Wajh Lagoon. The idyllic getaway is accessible only by chartered boat or seaplane and boasts five restaurants among its lavish facilities.
Emerging as the second most expensive hotel is Six Senses Zighy Bay, a beachfront resort located on Oman’s northern Musandam Peninsula. Set between the Gulf of Oman and the Hajar Mountains, the luxury beach resort is spread across three buildings, with refined villas offering terracotta tubs and wine cellars. There are also freshwater and saltwater pools, a mountaintop fine-dining restaurant, a private beach, a tennis court, a spa with hammams, a gym and a yoga room.
The podium is completed by Banyan Tree Alula, located in northwest Saudia Arabia.Featuring a range of impressive amenities including a rock pool nestled in the sandstone mountains, a restaurant and a terrace, the tranquil desert resort is considered one of the must luxurious in the country. Guest rooms come with a private patio with views of the resort’s majestic natural surroundings.
Burji Al Arab is Dubai’s most expensive hotel with a minimum rate of $1,538 for the least expensive double room, placing it as the 4th priciest hotel in the Middle East. Dubai is well represented with a total of 9 hotels ranked within the 20 most expensive hotels.
Qatar, meanwhile, has two hotels in the top 20. In ninth position is the Katara Hills Doha, situated 600 metres from Katara Beach and featuring a restaurant, room service and ocean views from some guest rooms. In twentieth spot is the beachfront Zulal Wellness Resort, where guests can enjoy an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre and peaceful garden.
The following table shows the 20 most expensive hotels in the Middle East. The rates shown indicate the least expensive available price (per night, including taxes & fees) for a couple between January 1, 2023 and January 31, 2023. Rates were established using leading hotel booking websites, based on 3-night stays, excluding Sunday to Tuesday.
1. The St. Regis Red Sea Resort (Saudi Arabia) $1,765
2. Six Senses Zighy Bay (Oman) $1,661
3. Banyan Tree Alula (Saudi Arabia) $1,552
4. Burj Al Arab (United Arab Emirates) $1,538
5. Six Senses Southern Dunes (Saudi Arabia) $1,525
6. Raffles Al Areen Palace (Bahrain) $1,338
7. Bulgari Resort Dubai (United Arab Emirates) $1,323
8. Nurai Island (United Arab Emirates) $1,295
9. Katara Hills Doha (Qatar) $1,245
10. One&Only The Palm, Dubai (United Arab Emirates) $1,206
11. Najdarah Resorts (Saudi Arabia) $1,061
12. Atlantis The Royal (United Arab Emirates) $1,026
13. Four Seasons Resort Dubai (United Arab Emirates) $1,024
14. Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah Dubai (United Arab Emirates) $1,017
15. Jumeirah Al Naseem (United Arab Emirates) $931
16. Kempinski Palm Jumeirah (United Arab Emirates) $904
17. One&Only One Za’abeel (United Arab Emirates) $881
18. Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar (Oman) $875
19. St Regis Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) $869
20. Zulal Wellness Resort (Qatar) $865