Inside Nujuma's Shell-Shaped Villas on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea
Nujuma brought the Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand to the Middle East in May 2024, opening 63 beach and overwater villas in Saudi Arabia's Al Wajh lagoon. Designed by Foster + Partners, the resort's spiraling, shell-shaped buildings frame views of the reef by day and the stars at night.
Daniel Pereira
A remote island setting
Reaching Nujuma's Ummahat Islands requires a seaplane or chartered boat; Red Sea International Airport serves the wider destination. From the water, the villas appear as pale, ribbed roofs above the lagoon, with the seabed visible through the clear shallows.
Nujuma became the seventh Ritz-Carlton Reserve worldwide. At its opening, it was reported to be the Middle East's most expensive hotel, with a nightly rate of around $3,431. In March 2025, Forbes named it Best New Hotel, and it received Forbes Travel Guide's Best Opening of 2024 award in the annual Star Awards.
The resort belongs to The Red Sea destination, a regenerative tourism megaproject that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced in July 2017. Developed by Public Investment Fund-owned Red Sea Global under Saudi Vision 2030, the destination spans 28,000 square kilometers in Tabuk province, between Umluj and Al-Wajh, and encompasses more than 90 offshore islands.
Architecture shaped around the view
Foster + Partners used the shell form to shape both the villas' exteriors and their rooms. In the overwater villas, the curved structure opens toward the sea, while each building stands on its own supports. A private pool is set into each deck, and the villas are oriented so neighboring units stay out of view.
Exposed ribs follow the interior curves above stone, pale timber and undyed woven materials. Sea-facing glass extends from the floor to the point where the roof begins to curve, with the bed positioned toward the view. Outside, a ladder provides access from the deck to water where living coral grows beneath the villa.
Every villa has a personal host, known as a najm or najma, who arranges all aspects of the stay.
Exploring the lagoon
Islands, reefs and shallow water surround the resort. Morning light reveals marine life from the villas, including hawksbill turtles around the coral and rays moving over the sand. Forbes Travel Guide reports that the reef supports 165 endemic fish species, along with dolphins, hawksbill turtles and stingrays.
Naturalists at the island's Conservation House introduce guests to the lagoon's habitats, from dugong feeding grounds in the seagrass meadows to turtle beaches and nearby islands. Divers can take boats to the reef wall, while kayakers explore the shallows. Arabian Business describes many guests settling into a quieter routine by their second day, staying in their villas with the glass open above the water.
Meals on the sand feature line-caught fish and southern flavors. Pale, cardamom-scented coffee is served from a dallah, with staff available for conversation or leaving guests to their privacy.
Stargazing after sunset
As daylight fades, shaded lamps illuminate low pathways without directing light skyward. Each terrace has a telescope, and the opening of the villa's shell provides a frame for the night sky. Nujuma's name means "stars."
An on-staff astronomer leads stargazing sessions every night. Red Sea Global also aims to secure Dark Sky certification for the wider destination and make it one of the largest certified destinations in the world.
Energy and habitat projects
Nujuma runs entirely on solar power and has earned LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The resort supports mangrove reforestation, with 28,000 mangroves planted as of early 2025, and installs elevated nesting platforms for the rare osprey. Across the wider destination, Red Sea Global's mangrove program has a target of 50 million plantings by 2030.
