Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: A Luxurious Red Sea Escape

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Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a distinguished sub-brand of The Ritz-Carlton, offering exclusive, boutique resorts in some of the world's most exotic locations. These properties are characterised by their intimate settings, personalised services, and deep integration with the local culture and environment. Each Reserve property is designed to provide a unique and immersive experience, distinct from standard Ritz-Carlton hotels.

I’d like to share my honest opinion, based on my experience both as a guest and as someone who worked on the project. I was fortunate enough to visit the islands before any development began—I walked through the landscape, remembered the mangroves, and observed the ospreys. Later, I had the opportunity to contribute to the design, staying involved up until the completion of the Schematic Design phase at 100%.

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The Journey Begins: Mono-island adventure

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Nujuma, Saudi Arabia: Opened in May 2024 as part of the Red Sea Project, Nujuma is the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in the Middle East. It offers 63 luxurious villas, each with a private pool and stunning sea views, making it one of only seven exclusive Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties worldwide.

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My journey started with a pick-up from Six Senses, Southern Dunes. A Saudi-made Lucid electric vehicle, a first for me, provided a quiet, smooth, and impressive ride, reflecting the sustainability ethos woven throughout this experience. The 50-minute journey brought us to the jetty at Turtle Bay.

Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the staff, who promptly handled our bags while we enjoyed refreshments. It was a pleasant surprise to run into some former colleagues from my time with the Red Sea Project, as Turtle Bay is located near employee accommodations.

The hospitality at Turtle Bay was impeccable from the outset. The staff had our itinerary details on hand, making the transition seamless. The 45-minute boat journey to Nujuma, located on Ummahat Al Shaykh Island, offered an up-close view of the pristine beauty of Saudi waters.

Reflection: While Shura Island is still under construction, the temporary jetty is located at the Turtle Bay Hotel. To reach it, you’ll need to go through the employee staff village and wait at the hotel. Though it’s not a deal-breaker, it’s not ideal to watch others swimming and dining before setting off.

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The Red Sea’s Natural Beauty

The Red Sea’s clear waters and vibrant coral reefs are home to incredible marine life, from colourful fish to whale sharks and sea turtles. Above the water, mangroves and sandy shores provide sanctuary for migratory birds, creating a serene contrast to the bustling life below. This unique ecosystem rivals the beauty of renowned destinations like Mexico, Maldives and the Philippines, offering world-class snorkelling and diving in crystal-clear waters.

Nujuma, set within a secluded archipelago in these pristine waters, captures the allure of the Red Sea perfectly. Though I haven't explored the Egyptian side, many say the Saudi side offers an unparalleled experience—I’ll let you decide for yourself.

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A Unique Perspective on the Red Sea Project

As we cruised through the Red Sea, I was struck by the sheer scale and complexity of the Red Sea Project. Experiencing it firsthand is a world away from reading updates or watching videos online. The vastness of the ongoing development on Shura Island, Sheybarah and other surrounding mono-islands, all progressing at full speed, was truly awe-inspiring.

Upon completion, Shura Island, the central hub of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Project shall feature around 11 world-class hotels, resorts (golf club) from prestigious international brands. These include Edition, Fairmont, Raffles, SLS, InterContinental, Jumeirah, Miraval, Rosewood, and Grand Hyatt. Scheduled to welcome guests in 2025, the island will offer a wide array of luxury accommodations and amenities, setting a new standard for high-end travel in the region.

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Arrival and Welcome

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Upon docking, we were warmly welcomed by our concierge, Tillo, and the island manager, Ekaterina, who shared insights into Nujuma’s cultural aspects. As a construction professional, I was impressed by the island’s transformation since my initial visit in 2018. The joinery work by Blumer Lehmann was exceptional, setting a refined tone for the entire project. The arrival experience was chic and unique, with comfortable sofa seating on a rust-coloured rug and refreshing drinks. Overall, the workmanship was outstanding.

Tillo provided a tour of the island in a luxury buggy, complete with leather seats and armrests, guiding us through each facility and amenity. By the time we reached our villa, our bags were already there, along with a handwritten note and refreshments. I was given a wristband for room access—thank goodness, as keycards are so 1999!

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The Villa Experience

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I knew this was something special even before arriving on the island. Seeing the architecture up close, after only watching videos and project updates, allowed me to fully appreciate the structure’s brilliance. Having worked on the design with Foster + Partners and Dewan, it was fascinating to see how challenges like the concave shape, space planning, pod orientation, and material finishes (by WATG & Wimberly and Kristina Zanic) were tackled. Kudos to everyone involved!

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I visited the 2 bed over-water villas (229 sqm), each featuring a plunge pool, private heated pool, and all the amenities needed for a luxurious stay. The spherical shells and nylon roof contrast beautifully with the water, creating a unique feel to the accommodation. The concave shapes against the backdrop add a distinctive character to the resort. I love the clean, modern look—very much in line with the architect’s design philosophy.

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The 1 bedroom beach villas are expansive (151 sqm) featuring an ensuite, powder room, premium amenities, and a separate kitchen with Miele appliances, fully stocked mini bar (chargeable) and bicycles. Thoughtful touches like a telescope, custom-sized bed, and a generous outdoor area with direct beach access make the experience unique. Little details, like the shower’s jacuzzi-style setup stocked with Diptyque amenities, Nespresso machine,the Bang & Olufsen portable sound system, locally crafted chairs and cushions and even a heated toilet seat, truly make a difference.

I also appreciated that, while the Red Sea adheres to the Dark Sky Lighting initiative, the pier and walkways were well-lit, and the wayfinding was clear.

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Reflection: I wasn’t here to snag however I couldn’t help but notice a few areas that could use some touch-ups, like minor crevices, edges, and a few paint and plaster finishes. At a property of this calibre, you’d expect everything to be thoroughly refined, but I trust this will be addressed over time.

I appreciated that the outdoor area featured both an open shower and a hidden shower for privacy. Privacy is essential, and the thoughtful planning of these spaces truly provides it.However, at night, I felt the outdoor terrace lighting was too dim, which limited the ability to fully enjoy the experience.

Moreover, given the price point at Nujuma, you'd expect certain amenities, like a complimentary minibar, to be included, but almost everything came at an additional cost, which was quite surprising. Nearly everything is an extra at Nujuma.

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Dining and Entertainment

We had a late lunch at Jamaa, a beachfront Mediterranean restaurant with shisha and outdoor seating. Although the setting was beautiful at sunset, it felt empty and lacked entertainment. Given the resort’s quietness, some entertainment (apart from background music) would enhance the ambiance and ‘vibe’. The food was reasonably priced; however, the quality didn’t quite meet my expectations (especially when comparing to Six Senses). Whether it was the ingredients or something else, we weren’t particularly impressed. Service was slow, and many items had to be sourced from surrounding kitchens or storage facilities.

On the other hand, the breakfast at Sita (all day dining) was incredible. The selection of food from the à la carte menu was the highlight of my dining experience. They offered a variety of hot drinks, including specialty coffee and matcha, as well as smoothies and fresh fruit juices. The quality of the food was exquisite, with an excellent range of options. The service was fantastic and set me up perfectly for the day.

Sita offers both indoor and outdoor dining, with the outdoor area set in an open timber tent, creating a fantastic dining experience. However, I’m not sure how comfortable this setup would be in the summer months. Overall the sunset from this part of the island were spectacular and truly a highlight of the evening.

I would have expected themed nights (aside from a BBQ), a wider variety of food options, diverse flavours, and a bit more excitement overall. The lack of atmosphere made the experience feel somewhat overhyped.

The Red Sea has introduced Galaxea, a new water sports and diving brand that offers guests a variety of experiences, from diving courses to snorkelling and other water sports. Although we didn’t try it ourselves, this could be ideal for travellers looking to explore the best of the Red Sea and its reefs.

Najuma is located on Ummahat Island, neighbouring the St. Regis (part of the Marriott International), which offers several restaurants, including a specialty Japanese restaurant and a beach club. We took a short boat ride (additional cost) to spend the day at the St. Regis, enjoying the island and exploring a new setting. It was a fantastic day trip! (I’ll be reviewing the St. Regis separately, but it’s worth noting that I only visited the island and its facilities—I didn’t stay overnight).

Reflection: While alcohol might not suit Southern Dunes, I believe it would be a welcome addition at Nujuma, particularly alongside possible entertainment options. With the current setup, I felt certain elements were missing. This being my first mono-island trip, I expected a bit more, especially considering the high price point.

In some areas, you can see evidence of upgrade works or retrofitting, temporarily concealed by FFE elements. While this serves as a short-term fix, a more comprehensive, long-term solution is needed to uphold the quality of the property.

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Mobility Across the Masterplan

The concierge picked me up from my room at Nujuma and whisked me to the jetty, where my boat awaited. The staff waved goodbye, making for a pleasant send-off. We made a brief stop at St. Regis before continuing to Turtle Bay (a 50-minute journey). At Turtle Bay, the onsite staff greeted us warmly, provided refreshments, and within minutes, my car was ready to take me back to RSI (Airport).

Overall, the mobility experience was outstanding, showcasing the attention to detail, logistics, and thoughtful planning that went into it. The quality was never compromised, with a well-maintained fleet of vehicles available at every point. My only suggestion would be to increase the number of boats for inter-island travel (as I wanted to visit Sheybarah), although I understand that not all parts of the masterplan are fully operational yet.

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Pricing and Accessibility

A stay at Nujuma starts at around AED 17,000 ($4,600) per night for a basic villa (151 sqm) with breakfast (and AED 26,000 for 2 bedroom suite). When you factor in the AED 4,500 ($1,200) flight from Dubai, additional taxi and boat transfers, and the cost of a tourist visa, it’s certainly a premium experience.

For comparison, an Ocean Pool Villa at the Ritz-Carlton in the Maldives is around AED 11,000 ($3,000), including tax, breakfast with flights costing around AED 1,000 ($270). Somy question is: what exactly are you paying for? I’ll let you make up your own mind.

We arrived on Friday (weekend), while I don’t know the exact occupancy numbers for the weekend, the resort felt quiet. I believe a more affordable price point could attract more visitors despite the lack of alcohol, entertainment, and remote location. As mentioned, this resort caters to a specific clientele—likely couples and families seeking a unique experience. For groups or families, a 4-5 day stay would be ideal to enjoy the full range of activities, though it requires deep pockets.

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Room for Improvement

While I appreciate the emphasis on sustainability, there may be room for improvement in the dredging, sand filling, and compacting processes. The sand felt firm underfoot, lacking the soft, luxurious feel expected at a high-end destination.

As a geography graduate, I understand that coral-based ecosystems in this part of the world influence the beach texture. I can’t recall exactly how the sand felt in 2018, however I’m sure it wasn’t this firm. In some areas, restricted water flow along the island's coast has led to sediment accumulation, slightly detracting from the pristine beach experience.

Additionally, the mobile tower masts are something of an eyesore, and integrating such structures more seamlessly with the surroundings could enhance the overall aesthetic. While I understand the desire for high-speed internet and 5G connectivity, should it come at the expense of the island’s natural landscape?

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Final Thoughts

Would I return to Nujuma? Perhaps, if the pricing were more competitive, flights more accessible, and a broader range of food and entertainment options available. For now, I’m inclined to explore other destinations for a more balanced experience.

Given the limited marketing efforts so far—aside from mentions by notable figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, Bloomberg and ‘influencers’ I expect the resort will expand its outreach and offerings as the full masterplan unfolds.

Whether your priority is price, experience, or both, Nujuma is still very new, and time will tell if it becomes a go-to destination alongside the Maldives and Seychelles or remains primarily for regional and Saudi travellers. Like any new product, the operator seems to be observing, updating, and adjusting. Only time will tell if Nujuma becomes a must-visit destination or simply another hotel in the Red Sea portfolio.

I want to extend my gratitude to Nujuma, Ritz-Carlton, it’ staff, and Red Sea Global for their exceptional hospitality. It was truly an amazing experience!