The millennial-focused Habitas group will debut a 100-room, 3D printed eco-friendly resort in the desert canyons of Ashar Valley of Saudi Arabia.

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has partnered with community-focused and environmentally-conscious hospitality group Habitas on a 100-room project with the first phase to open at the beginning of 2021. Habitas AlUla is located amongst dramatic sandstone canyons and a close proximity to Hegra, the archaeological remains of the ancient Nabatean civilization and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors will be able to access four key heritage sites including Hegra; Dadan, one of the most developed 1st millennium BCE cities of the Arabian Peninsula; Jabal Ikmah, often referred to as the ‘Lihyanite library’; and Old Town, the ancient walled city of AlUla.

Image Courtesy – Habitas AlUla

The entire resort will be free of single-use plastics and much of the power will be supplied by solar panels as sustainability is the key. Habitas will use off-site modular construction to create its hotels using sustainable materials, which are manufactured in its facilities in Mexico and delivered and assembled on-site to minimize the impact on the environment.

As per Habitas, connecting deeply with nature, ourselves and one another is the greatest luxury of all. The group calls this ‘Luxury for the Soul’.

Image Courtesy – Habitas AlUla

Habitas will also work with the Royal Commission for community projects including  collaborating with the AlUla Girls School, a former girls-only school that was transformed into a hub for AlUla nurturing local artists and artisans. Local jobs will be created based around artisans and showcasing local Saudi artists through collaborations and installations at the Habitas resort.