What makes a stay worth the annual leave request, and the suitcase on the bed? Usually, it is not just the room or the service, but the feeling that the destination has it all – the location, the view, the dining, the wellness, and a reason to switch off. That is what makes Faena’s move into the Middle East interesting. The luxury developer is entering the region through two very different Saudi settings, one at the Red Sea and another in Diriyah.
Along Saudi Arabia’s western coastline, Faena Island Red Sea is being introduced as the brand’s first island destination, conceived as an immersive sanctuary where wellness, artistic expression, and everything that comes with an ultimate luxe break are at the centre of the experience.
Diriyah, on the other hand, offers a different take. The draw there is set to be history, architecture, and a focus on culture that the setting already lends itself to. Wadi Safar is going to be located within Diriyah’s historic landscape. The development will bring together 20 private golf course villas, a hotel and spa, and immersive cultural venues, including the region’s first Faena Theater and Faena Forum.
That wider approach is also what Founder and Chairman of Faena, Alan Faena, points to: “Across both destinations, we are crafting more than homes and resorts; we are creating environments where art, nature, and hospitality come together to inspire daily life.”
There is more to come, too. Further projects across the UAE are already in development. For now, though, the more interesting takeaway is that Faena seems intent on letting each geography shine, and that alone makes this one worth keeping an eye on.