Two Saudi spots among ‘world’s...

Red Sea property lauded for its “futuristic” design and eco credentials

Saudi Arabia has snagged two spots on TIME’s 'World's Greatest Places' list in 2025.

Now in its seventh instalment, the annual list highlights 100 “one-of-a-kind spots and experiences around the globe”, editors wrote.

Just four destinations in the Middle East made the cut this year, with Dubai’s homegrown farm-to-table supper club Gerbou, serving Arab and Emirati cuisine, spotlighting the UAE; and The Maxx Royal, an ultra-luxury, sustainably minded resort on Bodrum’s northern shores, taking the win for Türkiye.

Taking that sustainability ethos to new levels is Saudi Arabia, which secured two spots on the coveted list in recognition of the kingdom’s rich cultural heritage and pioneering work in regenerative tourism.

Enter Shebara Resort on The Red Sea and Al-Balad Hospitality’s historic boutique havens in Jeddah.

Shebara Resort on The Red Sea
Opening its doors in November 2024 as the first fully owned and operated property by Red Sea Global (RSG), Shebara was highlighted for its “futuristic design”, which stands out amid a flurry of high-profile openings in the kingdom’s Red Sea development, according to TIME.

Aimed at luxury travellers seeking seclusion and nature, the resort is located on Shaybara Island in the Red Sea, just 25km from the Saudi mainland.

It is reachable via a scenic 30-minute seaplane flight or short boat ride from Red Sea International Airport

Innovative in its design, the resort is not only futuristic in the way it looks, but in how it functions, with a solar farm powering the entire island, in line with RSG’s commitment to regenerative tourism.

Conceived by architect Shaun Killa Design, the creative genius behind Dubai’s Museum of the Future, the resort’s 73 low-impact villas are designed as polished stainless steel orbs that reflect the sky, the lagoon and the coral below, blending seamlessly with the natural environment.

Shebara Resort, The Red Sea

Set over water or on the beach, the villas appear as if they are floating or disappearing into the horizon, a structure that minimises impact on the natural habitats of marine life.

As luxurious as it is sustainable, Shebara also features a state-of-the-art fitness centre, two pools (one adults-only, the other for families) and exceptional dining options including Nikkei cuisine and Mediterranean flavours courtesy of Michelin-lauded chef Marco Garfagnini.

Infinity pool at Shebara Resort

Guests can enjoy guided night snorkels around the house reef, stretch out to aerial yoga in the sea-facing pavilion or unwind in the spa with a Tahitian black pearl and green caviar hammam. There's also a kids' club for children aged 4-12.

Al-Balad Hospitality's historic boutique havens in Jeddah
Similarly sustainable but looking to the past rather than the future, Al-Balad Hospitality’s boutique hotel collection in Jeddah was also named among the world’s greatest places in 2025.

Nestled in Al-Balad, Jeddah’s Unesco-listed historic core, three century-old homes have been carefully restored by local historians, artists and carpenters, resulting in a collection of heritage hotels – Beit Jokhdar, Beit Al Rayess and Beit Kedwan – that combined traditional Hijazi architecture with luxury amenities and showcase the rich cultural heritage of Saudi.

These three heritage hotels are the first of 34 properties in Al Balad to follow the same path by 2027

Here, rooms and suites are all different, each with their own unique history and individual architectural nuances, but all featuring plush furnishings and around-the-clock butler service. Some suites come with private steam rooms, others with a rooftop lounge.

The guest experience is similarly rooted in tradition, with rose-infused tea on arrival, menus that tap local ingredients and a roster of cultural programming, from Arabic calligraphy workshops to poetry readings and guided tours of the spice souk.

Saudi is fast becoming a hotspot for sustainable luxury tourism, with an array of new developments – many led by Neom and Red Sea Global – dedicated to preserving heritage, pioneering eco-conscious luxury and offering unique cultural experiences.

For more information, visit time.com/collections/worlds-greatest-places-2025

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