The Chedi Hegra hotel now open in...

The 35-key luxury hotel ‘celebrates AlUla’s incredible history’

The Chedi Hegra is now open to guests in Saudi’s Unesco World Heritage site, Hegra.

Built from the vestiges of the Hegra Train station and set in the ancient Nabataean city among several other ancient heritage sites, The Chedi Hegra “connects travellers to the heritage and beauty of AlUla”.

Hegra, located in Northwest Saudi Arabia, dates to the first century BCE and was once a major city along the historic Incense Road.

Railway route

The railway route, constructed in 1907 under the supervision of German engineer Heinrich Meissner, served as an important link from Medina to Damascus, facilitating the movement of pilgrims and goods.

The Chedi Hegra preserves original railway structures including a central feature of the Shadow Canopy, known as Lamellae - a 700-metre-long structure that “unites historic railway tracks with modern design”.

Mahmoud Sakr, General Manager, said: “Our vision is to create a retreat where visitors can explore the wonders of Hegra, immerse in the finest hospitality and connect with the soul of this extraordinary region.”

Phillip Jones, Chief Tourism Officer for the Royal Commission for AlUla, added: “This boutique property is the epitome of AlUla’s vision to be a leading tourism destination that prioritises sustainable place-making and preserves the culture and natural beauty of the region.”

A Chedi Hegra room

The 35-key hotel offers guests a choice of rooms, suites, and villas, all with desert views including the necropolis and nature-carved rock formations.

Guests can enjoy private terraces, plunge pools and interiors “inspired by the rich heritage of the Nabataeans”.

Dining options include Prima Classe, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant which is housed in the historic train station and serves Mediterranean cuisine.

The restored Locomotive

In the evening, the venue transforms into the Golden Hour Lounge, where guests can watch the desert sunset and admire the restored Locomotive 964, an original 2-6-0 model crafted by the Arnold Jung Lokomotivfabrik in 1906.

The rare locomotive, which ran along the Hajj route until the 1920s, underwent a year-long restoration process.

The Al Mahattah lounge serves light bites and high-tea and has its own in-house storyteller: while a Saudi Coffee House hosts interactive workshops on brewing, roasting and cup decoration. Further culinary options are due to be introduced in 2025.

The hotel is part of the Unesco heritage site

The Chedi wellness villa has a private pool and signature treatments inspired by AlUla’s natural ingredients such as dates, rosemary and moringa.

A 1,200 sq m spa and wellness centre housed in a historic mud-brick villa will open in the coming months, featuring saunas, steam rooms and post-treatment relaxation areas.

The Pool & Fitness Centre will offer the largest outdoor pool in Hegra, fitness rooms and studios for personalised workouts or group classes.

For more information, visit www.ghmhotels.com/en/the-chedi-hegra/destination

FIND OUT MORE