Picolo recommends · Tented villa in the desert valley
Banyan Tree AlUla
Sandstone cliffs glowing red at sunset, a tented villa with a fireplace and 2,000-year-old tombs a short drive away. AlUla is the Saudi Arabia nobody told you about.
The silence is the first thing you notice. No traffic, no music, just a faint wind through the valley and the crackle of the fire outside your tent. Around you the sandstone cliffs rise in shapes that look sculpted by an artist, and as the sun sinks the colour shifts from gold to red to purple.
Banyan Tree has built its villas as large tents, spread across the valley floor with the cliffs as a backdrop. Inside the canvas, though, it is a full hotel: a fireplace, big beds and terraces.
In the evening the night sky is the entertainment. There is little light pollution here, and after a day in the desert heat it is hard to imagine a better place to sit than by the fire outside your villa.
Things to do in AlUla
Hegra: the Nabataean tombs carved into the sandstone, Saudi Arabia's first World Heritage Site. Visit with a guide.
Maraya: the mirror-clad building in the desert that reflects the cliffs around it.
Elephant Rock: a sandstone formation shaped like an elephant, best at sunset.
Stargazing: the desert sky is dark and clear for much of the year.
Read more in our Saudi Arabia travel guide.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Banyan Tree AlUla
Banyan Tree has built its villas as large tents, spread across the valley floor with the cliffs as a backdrop. Inside the canvas it is a full hotel: fireplaces, big beds and terraces.
In the evening the starry sky is the entertainment. There is little light pollution, and after a day in the heat you sit by the fire outside your villa.
What you get
- Tented villas with big beds
- Fireplace and private terrace
- Restaurant in the valley
- Dark skies for stargazing
A day at Banyan Tree AlUla
- Morning
- A guided visit to the Nabataean tombs at Hegra.
- Late morning
- Maraya, the mirrored building in the desert.
- Afternoon
- Rest in the villa through the heat of the day.
- Evening
- Elephant Rock at sunset, then the fire outside your villa under the stars.
Location
AlUla, Medina Province, Saudi Arabia
Open in MapsWhen is the best time to visit AlUla?
The cooler half of the year, roughly October to March, is the most comfortable, with warm days and cool nights. Summer is extremely hot. Check the latest visa and entry rules before you travel.
October to March: high season, so book your villa well ahead, especially around festivals and holidays.
Combine: two or three nights in AlUla pair well with a few days in Riyadh or on the Red Sea.
Tours: book a guided visit to Hegra at the same time as the hotel.
Questions about Banyan Tree AlUla
Is Banyan Tree AlUla worth it?
Yes, if you are coming to see Hegra and the desert around AlUla. The tented villas with fireplaces and terraces make the evenings, and the starry sky comes free. The days are hot, so plan excursions for morning and late afternoon.
Where is AlUla?
AlUla is in north-west Saudi Arabia, in a desert area of sandstone cliffs and canyons. It has its own airport with domestic flights.
What is Hegra?
Hegra is an ancient city with tombs carved into the sandstone by the Nabataeans, the same people who built Petra. It was Saudi Arabia's first World Heritage Site.
Where should I stay in AlUla?
Banyan Tree AlUla suits travellers who want luxury in a tented villa, Our Habitas AlUla those who prefer a calmer, more bohemian feel. Both are in the same desert valley.
How many days do you need in AlUla?
Two to three nights gives you time for Hegra, Elephant Rock, Maraya and an evening under the stars.
Can tourists visit Saudi Arabia?
Yes, Saudi Arabia welcomes tourists. Visa and entry rules can change, so check the latest information before you book.
Would you rather stay somewhere else?
An alternative in the same valley.
Updated 5 Nov 2026All articles
How Picolo chooses
Our editors pick every hotel themselves, and most of them we have stayed at. No hotel can pay to be included or ranked higher. When you book through our links, Hotels.com pays Picolo a small commission. It never changes the price you pay, and it never decides what we write.
Topics
