These Are the Best Overwater Bungalows in Saudi Arabia to Book in 2026

Why We Like It: Saudi Arabia has recently made huge strides in opening up to foreign tourism and this, the St. Regis Red Sea, which opened fairly in early 2024, is another example of such ambition. It is a high end luxury resort, as you would expect from Marriott’s St Regis line, and it is located on an absolutely gorgeous private island the Saudis call Ummahat. It has access to some of the world’s most pristine coral reefs and marine ecosystems, something both the tourism authorities and Marriott are, by all reports, keen to see be preserved and prosper. It’s all new for this part of the Red Sea so we hope this is exactly what happens. Accommodation is a simple choice between beach and overwater, with some having an extra premium for a sunset view. Standards of luxury are the same across the board, so there are no great price differences or bargain entry-level suites to be snagged. It’s a 5 Star resort and the whole places reeks of opulence and the service, and the food and drink is of the highest caliber (no alcohol available though!) You also have plenty of fun, and relaxing activities to choose from, including some jaw dropping scuba diving and very opulent spa facilities. Getting here is done very much in style from Red Sea International Airport. Contact the resort before you go to arrange. You have a choice between a 25-minute seaplane direct from the airport or a short trip in a luxury car to the airport marina for a 30-minute speedboat ride. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: Their overwater bungalows, which they term Coral Villas, are nothing short of stunning. They have, for overwater bungalows, a fairly unusual, round, seashell-inspired design, plus floor to ceiling windows that make them feel extra open and spacious. The interior design is on point. Luxury of course, but nothing ostentatious. The outside decks are particularly inviting too, and neatly arranged to ensure privacy and open sea views. All are practically identical except some command a relatively reasonable extra premium for a sunset view. Well, I say reasonable, but if you go for the sunset view, you’ll have to forgo the sunrise view, which the others get for free 🙂 And a sunrise or a sunset over the Red Sea are both pretty special, it has to be said. You have direct access to the sea below for swimming and snorkeling. The waters are teeming with life and ridiculously clear. All the overwaters bungalows also have infinity pools on the deck. Back on land, there is the beach accommodation, what they call their Dune Villas. These are awfully luxurious and spacious too, maybe more so, internally Deep Dive: Read the Review…

Why We Like It: Nujuma, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, opened in May 2024 as the third super-luxury resort to welcome guests to the Saudi Arabian Red Sea’s Ummahat Islands. Inspired by the word Nujum, meaning ‘stars’ in Arabic, it is also the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the broader region, and one of only seven worldwide. It’s a special place, then and the location sure is special too; on its own private island in the same Ummahat Archipelago as the St. Regis Red Sea, the first resort in the area. The design, the work of British firm Foster + Partners, is incredibly impressive, particularly their enormous overwater bungalows, of course. It’s broadly minimalist, with clean lines, graceful curves, and sandy hues that blend beautifully into this unique desert and coastal environment. You have some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the world right at your doorstep here. Only very recently opened up to tourism, it is one of the world’s most pristine marine environments. Tourism is a tricky business in such an environment, but Nujuma, along with the other Ummahat resorts, has made guarantees for its preservation.   Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: You have a choice of one and two-bedroom bungalows here, both overwater and on the beach. They are all broadly similar in style, spaciousness (and yup, they sure are big!), and features, but with a small premium being charged for ones that face the sunset. Connected to the shore by an elevated ring walkway, the overwater villas really feel far out to sea. You’ll spend most of your time on deck, we imagine, which has a large private pool, lounging furniture, and direct access to the fish teeming waters below. There, you have pretty much full privacy and panoramic views over the sea. And, with so little light pollution around, the sky at night is a very impressive show. Each villa, both overwater and onshore, has the services of a dedicated personal host. Najm and Najma Guides they call them, and they might be seen as a mix of a concierge, a guide and a butler. Their main job though, is to arrange experiences, such as educational nature tours with the resident naturalist and conservationist.   Prices & Availability: Check prices and availability at Booking.com here or at Expedia here.   Food & Drink: You have four excellent restaurants at the Ritz-Carlton with dress codes and atmospheres ranging from laid-back casual to fine dining formal. Sita is the main venue, the place for the all-inclusive deal meals, and acts as both a French-style patisserie and a traditional clay oven type Levantine restaurant. It does a range of familiar international fare too; the choice is broad and the Deep Dive: Read the Review…