Waking at Our Habitas AlUla, the canyon walls glow gold in the stillness of early morning—rippled sandstone catching the light like a memory just surfacing. You step out onto your deck, barefoot on warm wood, surrounded by silence so complete it almost feels sacred.

Our Habitas AlUla is a 96‑villa retreat that sits deep in Ashar Valley, in Saudi Arabia, where ochre cliffs cradle palm groves. It’s more than a backdrop; it’s part of the architecture. Paths lead from reception through desert gardens to an alchemy of art, wellness, and stargazing.

Villas feel elemental yet refined. Wooden decks stretch into the red earth. Indoor‑outdoor showers, king‑size beds, and telescopes in Celestial Villas give a sense of escape. Art Villas incorporate works from Desert X installations that emerge from the landscape rather than interrupt it. One piece might ripple in the sand like a mirage, another casts shadows that shift with the sun. Wellness Villas leave room for privacy and moments of calm.

Tama Restaurant serves meals rooted in the land—local farm produce, incense-route spices, and a seasonal sensibility that feels both grounded and contemporary. Mornings might begin with Levantine eggs and flatbread, evenings with shared mezze that invite conversation and linger over candlelight. By the pool, a relaxed bar lounge offers drinks under the canyon’s slow-fading light, sometimes accompanied by live music. For something more casual, Caravan by Habitas brings a playful contrast—Airstreams, food trucks, and open-air bites with a communal spirit.

Thuraya Wellness Center—this is where wellness is understated but purposeful. Treatment rooms, an “alchemy” lounge bar, a yoga studio, and a studio for breathwork sessions. Outdoors, a healing agora sits against the rock face. Fitness options include functional training, HIIT, and Pilates. An infinity pool mirrors the cliffs so you feel immersed in the landscape.

Programming is woven into place—daily yoga on the Ashar Deck, guided hikes along the Adventure Trail, and celestial viewing with a local expert. Bike trails (or e‑bike if you prefer) wind through the grounds.

And when twilight deepens, the canyon walls close in and stars drift overhead, you realize that golden first light was more than a moment—it was the overture. At Our Habitas AlUla the desert becomes your companion. It asks only that you slow, breathe, and live in its shadows.