It’s not often that a resort feels like it belongs to another era – one not defined by nostalgia, but by a clear leap into the future. Shebara Resort, set on the untouched Sheybarah Island in Saudi Arabia’s Al Wajh Lagoon, does exactly that. It doesn’t just push the boundaries of sustainable travel. It redraws the map entirely.
Developed by Red Sea Global and brought to life by Killa Design (the minds behind Dubai’s Museum of the Future), Shebara is one of the most ambitious hospitality projects Saudi Arabia has ever seen. Floating – or seemingly hovering – above crystal-clear waters, 73 stainless-steel villas gleam like polished planets. These aren’t your standard overwater bungalows. Each one is a sculptural marvel: orb-shaped, reflective, and blending almost invisibly into the island’s seascape. Whether you’re approaching by boat or seaplane, the first glimpse of Shebara feels more like arriving at an art installation than a hotel.
But this isn’t style over substance. Behind the futuristic design lies a deep commitment to sustainability. The entire resort runs on solar energy. Not partially. Entirely. Power is generated from an off-grid solar farm built specifically for Shebara, making it a rare example of true energy independence in luxury travel. There are no diesel generators humming in the background, no environmental trade-offs. Waste systems have been built with zero landfill targets in mind. Single-use plastics? Not on this island.
And yet – none of this feels like a sacrifice. The villas are incredibly private, luxuriously appointed, and designed for deep rest. Expect wide, uninterrupted views of the Red Sea, private plunge pools, curated interiors with natural textures, and absolute silence, save for the water lapping beneath your deck. Inland villas draw from the shapes of the desert dunes, nestled in gentle curves that feel organic and intimate.
On the culinary front, Shebara delivers on expectations and then some. The five restaurants range from contemporary global menus to regionally inspired fine dining, with a focus on seasonal and sustainable ingredients. If you want to pair your meal with coral reef views and pink-hued sunsets, this is the place. After dinner, a serene spa experience awaits – set right along the beachfront, with open-air pavilions and treatments designed to calm, hydrate, and reset.
For those craving more than stillness, Shebara also acts as a gateway to the vibrant marine world that surrounds it. This part of the Red Sea is home to some of the world’s most pristine coral reefs, and guests can join guided snorkel and dive tours led by marine biologists. There are also conservation programs available for visitors who want to take part in reef restoration or learn more about local ecosystems. This isn’t packaged eco-tourism – it’s quiet, thoughtful, and real.
Getting here is part of the experience. Shebara is just 45 minutes by boat from the mainland, but the journey feels like crossing into another state of mind. And soon, with the Red Sea International Airport nearing completion – designed by Foster + Partners with its own desert-oasis-sea inspiration – guests will be able to arrive through a terminal that feels more like a private lounge than a commercial hub.
What sets Shebara apart, though, is not just its architecture or remoteness or green credentials. It’s the way all of those elements are held together by a single, clear intention: to prove that indulgence and environmental responsibility are not opposites. They can be part of the same story.
Rooms start from AR 11,000 per night, and an opening offer allows guests to stay a third night free when booking two, available until February 28, 2025. That includes daily breakfast for two and access to all the quiet, shimmering wonder that this island has to offer.
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea project is massive – 28,000 square kilometers of islands, beaches, deserts, and even dormant volcanoes. But Shebara is its shining, stainless-steel jewel. A quiet promise that the future of travel can be cleaner, smarter, and far more beautiful than we’ve come to expect. And don’t forget to check Fiji’s Poseidon Underwater Resort.
And maybe, just maybe, this is what luxury will look like for the next generation. Not louder. Not bigger. Just better.
