Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans to convert a collection of historic and cultural palaces into extravagant boutique hotels.
The Kingdom’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, this week revealed the vision which aims to revive “the vibrant heritage and culture of Saudi Arabia to create a new and unique hospitality experience”.
Subscribe to LATTE’s free eNewsletter to keep up to date with everything in the luxury travel industry.
The portfolio will be positioned under an umbrella brand called the Boutique Group and will initially comprise of three assets – Al Hamra Palace, Tuwaiq Palace and Red Palace.
Al Hamra Palace, previously dedicated as a location for VIP public figures from around the world, will offer 77 keys including 33 luxury palace suites and 44 luxury villas in Jeddah. In Riyadh and within the Diplomatic Quarter, Tuwaiq Palace will provide 96 keys including 40 luxury palace suites and 56 luxury villas, while the former headquarters of Saudi’s Board of Grievances, the Red Palace, also in Riyadh and dating back to 1957, will offer 71 keys including 46 luxury suites, and 25 luxury guest rooms.
Boutique Group will blend the Kingdom’s culture and heritage with modern amenities to provide an exclusive hospitality experience and a unique service to its guests, growing the Saudi ultra-luxury hospitality sector and contributing to the development of the local economy. The company will also offer many high-end experiences from dining to wellness to exclusive services for each guest.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), said, “His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s launch of the Boutique Group underlines PIF’s mandate to unlock the capabilities of promising sectors in Saudi Arabia that can help drive the diversification of the economy and contribute to non-oil GDP growth.
“The group will enhance the Kingdom’s already unique tourism offerings, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading regional and international tourism and cultural destination and contributing to Saudi Vision 2030,” Al-Rumayyan added.
A timeline as to when the hotels will debut was not indicated.
Other major tourism projects underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia include The Red Sea Project, NEOM and AlUla.
Lead image: Al Hamra Palace, Jeddah | Source: Boutique Group