Staying at an Our Habitas property has been on my travel bucket list for the last year, and while I didn’t expect Our Habitas AlUla to be my first, I’m so glad it was.
Nestled in the surreal desert landscapes of Saudi Arabia, this property was a stunning introduction to the brand, and let’s just say, it set the bar high (not to give too much of a spoiler alert of what I thought about the property!).
For a few days I woke up to the most beautiful sandstone canyons, fresh air, and the kind of quiet that just hits differently in the middle of the desert.
I am still in awe that I got to stay at Our Habitas AlUla and in this post, I’ll share all the details from my stay: what to expect when you arrive, what stood out about my stay, and ultimately, whether or not I think the $1000+/night price tag is actually worth it.
Other Blog Posts You’ll Enjoy:
- A Summer Weekend in AlUla Travel Guide
- Saudi Arabia Travel Tips: Do’s and Don’ts for Tourists
- A First Timer’s Guide to Riyadh
This blog post may contain affiliate links which means that if you book one of these activities using my link (which I know you will because you loved how helpful this blog post is *wink*I am going to receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting BCJ!
How to Book A Stay at Our Habitas AlUla
I found booking a room at Our Habitas AlUla to be very simple and straightforward.
You can reserve your stay directly through their official website or via Booking.com (If this review helped you out, using my Booking.com link is a great way to support the blog at no extra cost to you. It truly makes a difference and helps me continue posting honest, helpful travel guides!)
The website shows all available dates several months in advance, and you can easily use the calendar tool to compare rates and find the best dates for your budget and schedule depending on the season.
Once you book, you should receive a confirmation email from the hotel with all the details. You can also retrieve your booking information using your confirmation number, so I recommend saving that somewhere.
Getting to Our Habitas AlUla from the Airport
To get to AlUla, you’ll fly into the AlUla International Airport (ULH). It’s a very small airport as I described in my AlUla Weekend Guide and I was in and out of the airport in no time.
However, the resort is an hour away from the airport so you will want to arrange your plans to get there ahead of time to avoid any delays.
With that being said you really have about three main options to get to Our Habitas AlUla from the airport:
Organize Transportation With the Hotel
Upon request the Our Habitas AlUla team can arrange private transportation to the property. I did inquire about this and was told that the car provided would be a GMC Tahoe that can fit 4 people each with 1 luggage.
The rate I was given at the time was SAR 460 per car ($122.61) from the AlUla Airport to the Hotel. Please note that rates can and will vary depending on the season.
Take A Taxi
There are taxis available at the airport that you can also take directly to Our Habitas AlUla.
There is an ATM available inside of the airport in case you need to withdraw cash for your ride.
Book A Rental Car and Drive Yourself
There are two rental car companies available at the airport: Budget and Lumi.
My friend and I decided to rent a car through Lumi, as they had all their vehicle types and prices clearly listed in SAR, making it easy to compare options and choose the best fit for our needs.
To complete the rental, my friend was asked to provide her passport, driver’s license, and a credit card for the 2,000 SAR ($532.97) deposit, which would be refunded within two weeks.
We ended up choosing a Hyundai Creta for 462.30 SAR ($123.18) for two days that included insurance.
Planning Tip: Try to book a car online instead of planning to book once you arrive at the airport in case there are any issues. There is a cut-off time on when the website will allow you to book, so the earlier the better.
The best option to me is to book a car, as it makes getting around AlUla a lot more convenient and gives you the opportunity to stop and enjoy the sights on the way!
Our Habitas AlUla also offers complimentary valet parking onsite.
Checking Into Our Habitas AlUla
Check-in was at 3:00 PM, and upon arrival, we were seated in the beautifully decorated lobby that depicted an effortless touch of Arabian culture while maintaining a serene retreat feel.
We were given welcome glasses of fresh hibiscus juice.
A member of the staff confirmed our reservations, had us sign a contract, gave us a brief rundown of the property, and highlighted some important details about our stay before we were escorted to our rooms via golf carts.
Welcome Property Tour
I was expecting to be taken straight to my room, but instead, we were given a golf cart tour of the property, a beautiful touch that I really enjoyed.
At Our Habitas AlUla, golf carts are one of the main ways guests get around, as some areas of the resort are spread out.
Golf carts can come within 5-15 mins of calling the front desk for one from your room, but always arrive within 2-5 mins of calling for them.
The tour was helpful in showing us where the different sections of the property are and gave us a great overview before settling in.
The Our Habitas AlUla Property
Our Habitas AlUla has 96 villas with three different styles that blend in with the landscape.
Beyond the villas, the property has a wellness center that includes a yoga and meditation room, spa treatment rooms, a gym, restaurant, stunning pool, art installations, and more that make it a true oasis.
The Swimming Pool
The pool at Our Habitas AlUla is set against the backdrop of the area’s desert landscape. The pool has a long, infinity-edge and is surrounded by a poolside restaurant and shaded seating.
Tama Restaurant
Tama Restaurant is the resort’s only onsite dining location that offers a menu inspired by regional flavors and fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Here you can enjoy a relaxed breakfast, sunset dinner, or a drink.
Thuraya Wellness Center
The wellness center at Our Habitas AlUla is a space dedicated to rest and restore wellbeing. Guests can choose from a variety of wellness treatments, including massages, sound healing, yoga sessions, and breathwork, all designed to restore balance and calm.
With open-air pavilions, massage rooms, lounges, and more, it’s a great opportunity to recharge and center.
Yoga Rooms
Gym – Open 24/7
Massage Treatment Rooms
Art Installations
Around the resort are five creative Desert X art installations.
These installations are large-scale works that blend art, landscape, and culture and are even interactive.
Each installation offers a unique perspective and is one of the main things I was looking forward to as part of my stay.
Planning Tip: A free one hour art tour is offered almost every day. Times may vary so check with the staff/the wellness center board.
A Look Inside of the Canyon Villa
There are three types of villas offered at Our Habitas AlUla–Canyon, Alcove, and Celestial.
The difference of the villas is mainly the views they offer and space, with Celestial Villas being the largest.
You can learn more about the villas here.
Being that I would be staying in the villa alone, I opted for the Canyon Villa.
At 45 sq m, the Canyon Villa is perfect for up to two people and is surrounded by sandstone cliffs.
It offers the following:
- King-Size Bed
- Balcony-Lanai-Terrace
- Desk and Chair
- Breakfast
- Outdoor Shower
- Air Conditioning
- Free Wifi (Strong)
- Safe
- Hairdryer
- Bathrobe
- Minibar
- Complimentary Water
- Bathroom amenities
- E-Bike w/ Charging Station
I absolutely loved the villa and thought that it was perfect for 1-2 people.
The villas are arranged along the same pathway, giving the area a neighborhood-like feel.
I really enjoyed staying in, from the relaxing terrace to the comfy bed and the outdoor shower.
Overall, I was super happy with the room.
Wellness & Activities Offered
At Our Habitas AlUla, there’s a wide range of activities that are designed to connect guests with the natural environment, culture, and themselves. Here are the main things to do during a stay if youre looking to mainly stay on the property:
- Wellness Experiences – Sunrise yoga, guided meditation, breathwork sessions, sound healing, group exercise classes
- Spa & Treatments – Massages, wellness treatments for holistic healing.
- Outdoor Adventures – Explore nearby canyons and rock formations with guided hikes or desert walks.
- Cultural Programming – Participate in locally inspired workshops, talks, or live music nights that celebrate the heritage of AlUla.
- Art Installations – Visit the on-site Desert X AlUla art installations and learn about the artists and their inspiration.
- Stargazing – Guided stargazing sessions in the peaceful desert.
- Relaxation – Lounge by the infinity pool, unwind on your private terrace, or simply soak in the peaceful desert atmosphere.
Things To Do Outside of the Property
For more things to do in AlUla outside of the resort, check out the ‘Things to Do’ section of my AlUla Travel Guide.
Food at Our Habitas AlUla
The only restaurant at Our Habitas AlUla is Tama Restaurant, which translates to ‘here and now’. The restaurant serves dishes that offer both Global & Middle Eastern cuisine.
The restaurant is near the pool area so your meals come with a beautiful view.
Tama is open for breakfast, all-day dining, beverages and desserts and you can find the menus for each here.
Breakfast Included
Breakfast is included in the stay at Our Habitas AlUla and was served from 7am -11:45am at the restaurant.
The service begins with a breakfast mezze platter that includes bread and butter, fruit, vegetables, and more.
Each guest is allowed to choose 2 dishes from the menu and a beverage.
I found the serving sizes to be large and extremely filling and of course the food was made-to-order and very fresh.
Room Service for Dinner
On one of the nights I ordered room service from Tama Restaurant and the food was delicious.
Meal Ticket:
- Roasted red pepper baked fish, jarjeer salad with tomato, peppers, onions – SAR 165 ($43.98)
- Firewood bake potato wedges, herbs, preserved lemon cream dip – SAR 65 ($17.33)
Food Trucks from Our Habitas Caravan
From time to time, some of the food trucks from the Caravan property make a guest appearance at the property, allowing guests to enjoy some of the food offered.
During my stay the icecream truck was onsite and I got to enjoy some delicious mango gelato!
What to Bring + Pack
Here are a few things I would bring and pack to make the most of your stay.
Overall when packing, I would think light, comfortable clothing, sun protection, and adventure with a tad of elegance depending on the places you may visit.
General Packing List:
- Sneakers/Hiking Boots
- Beach/Pool Bag
- Sun Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Leisure Dress for Wellness/Spa Day
- Swimsuit Covering
- Light Scarf or Shawl
- Backpack for Day Adventures
A Stop at Caravan AlUla by Our Habitas
Caravan AlUla by Our Habitas is the sister property of Our Habitas AlUla, offering a more laid-back, bohemian-style escape for those looking to experience AlUla in a unique and casual setting.
Instead of villas, Our Habitas Caravan has Airstream-style caravans with one or two beds, private outdoor seating areas, and en-suite bathrooms.
The atmosphere is much more relaxed and social, with a shared fire pit, outdoor lounge areas, and a central dining space where guests can gather.
It’s a more budget-friendly alternative to the main resort, while still delivering the same immersive desert experience.
We stopped by to check out some of the food trucks, but found the property was temporarily closed for the month due to renovations.
Still, we were given a quick tour of the grounds and one of the caravans by one of the staff members, which was very nice!
The Cost of My Stay
I booked a two night stay during the last two nights of August and my total amount came out to SAR 2771.14 ($738.65), so about $370/night.
When I was originally planning to stay at Our Habitas, I was actually going to stay during the peak season, which is from December to February.
Prices during this time are usually from $1000 – $1500/night before coming back down for the off season.
Is it worth the money?
I do feel that the price I paid for my stay was worth the money, especially considering the time of year I visited.
As you can see, I paid significantly less than I would have if I had gone during my originally planned dates in peak season.
That said, I personally don’t think the property is worth $1,000+ per night. If you’re traveling with someone else or that price point fits comfortably within your budget, it might not be a big deal. But it’s worth noting that the property isn’t all-inclusive—you’ll still need to pay for meals and additional activities, which can add up depending on what you choose to do and again, the season.
While the villa was lovely, I think it matched the value of the rate I paid when I stayed there. In all honesty, it didn’t quite feel like a $1,000+ per night experience. Though waking up to the beautiful environment of being among the canyons seems to be the real selling point and that is an experience in itself.
There is a trade-off for visiting during the off-season: some activities and sites in AlUla may be closed for renovations or due to the summer heat. That’s likely part of why prices are lower—you’re not getting the full experience.
That said, it really depends on your own travel preferences and priorities. Personally, I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything major, though it would’ve been nice to try some of the outdoor activities, like zip lining at the Adventure Hub, but I still enjoyed myself.
Would I Stay Again?
Without a doubt, I would stay at Our Habitas AlUla again.
The property truly lives up to the hype and it was everything I imagined and more.
I’m usually skeptical when it comes to hotels that come with a high price tag or lots of buzz, as I have found that it’s usually not worth it, but this stay genuinely exceeded my expectations.
From start to finish, I enjoyed every moment and would absolutely return.
The customer service was outstanding. Every staff member I interacted with was warm, professional, and incredibly helpful, even offering to help capture some of the memories from my trip, which made the experience even more special.
I loved my time both at the resort and in AlUla, so much that I’m already looking into possibly planning another visit.
If you’re considering booking a stay here, my advice is to do it as soon as possible 🙂
