Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Saudi Arabia / Ummahat Islands 2-3 / Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Ummahat Islands 2-3, Saudi Arabia · Ritz-Carlton Reserve · Apex Luxury
Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve opened in May 2024 on Ummahat Island, the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Middle East and one of only seven globally, with 63 Foster + Partners, designed overwater and beach villas, each equipped with a private telescope for stargazing over one of the world's least-disturbed reef systems; it earned Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star and Michelin Two Keys in 2025.
- 63 rooms
- Opened 2024
- Neighborhood: Red Sea
- Architect: Conceived as a cluster of shell-inspired villas on the Red Sea; architect not clearly named in the official materials reviewed
About Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
- Each of the 63 villas has a telescope positioned on its private deck, a design specification unique among five-star hotels, for observation of the Red Sea's famously unpolluted night sky, far from any mainland light pollution.
- Nujuma is one of only seven Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties worldwide, a tier positioned above the standard Ritz-Carlton brand; it became the first in the Middle East and, in 2026, the first Forbes Five-Star hotel from Saudi Arabia's Red Sea giga-project.
- The resort's name derives from the Arabic word 'nujum', meaning 'stars', and its Conservation House offers guided encounters with local craftspeople and marine naturalists, giving guests structured access to the Ummahat archipelago's coral ecosystems.
- Nujuma is LEED Platinum Certified and solar-powered; guests arrive only by chartered boat or seaplane, with no road access, protecting the island from routine vehicle traffic and reinforcing the resort's policy of minimum footprint on the reef system.
History
Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve opened in 2024 as Marriott’s luxury Reserve property on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. Marriott’s official Saudi Arabia destination page lists it as a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Saudi Arabia with 27 reviews, while Marriott careers materials place it specifically in Ummahat Islands 2-3, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, confirming the location matches the property name. Official materials describe it as an exclusive sanctuary celebrating heritage and culture through crafted experiences. The property is part of the Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio, the brand’s highest tier of secluded luxury resorts.
The setting
The hotel is set in the Ummahat Islands in the Red Sea, an island setting that aligns with the property’s coastal naming and positioning. Marriott career postings explicitly locate the property at Ummahat Islands 2-3, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia.
Restaurants and bars
- SITA — Café · French-style patisserie and Levantine
- Tabrah — Restaurant · Seafood (Saudi fishing tradition)
- Maia — Restaurant
- Jing Jingan — Restaurant
- Luna — Restaurant
- Jamaa — Restaurant · Light Red Sea outdoor fare
Experiences
- Neyrah Spa — Indoor-outdoor spa where precious ingredients and simple ceremonies foster connection to nature and self, borrowing from sea and land.
- Galaxea Diving Center — Kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling and diving excursions exploring the coral reefs.
- Conservation House — Land and sea activities for guests of all ages to connect with Saudi Arabian culture, community and environment.
- Star experiences at Maia — Astronomy-focused evenings with star experts at the Red Sea bar Maia, with mocktails inspired by the night sky.
- Bread-making classes at Sita — Bread-making classes hosted around the central clay oven at Sita.
- Private chef dining experiences — Custom meals in villas, in the dunes or on the beach, designed by the chefs with guests.
Amenities
- Overwater villas
- Private pools
- Spa and wellness programming
- Red Sea beach access
- Curated heritage and culture experiences
- Water sports and marine experiences
- Family-friendly luxury resort setting
- Fitness center
- Kids club
- Butler service
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star (2026)
- MICHELIN Two Keys (2026)
- Saudi Arabia's Leading Conference & Wedding Hotel 2025 (World Travel Awards) (2025)
- Saudi Arabia's Leading Conference Hotel 2025 (World Travel Awards) (2025)
- Saudi Arabia's Leading Wedding Hotel 2025 (World Travel Awards) (2025)
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