With summer coming up, now is the perfect time to start planning your next getaway. If you’re looking for hotels across the region that keep the excitement alive and step away from the ordinary, MENA’s hospitality scene is packed with unique concepts, from luxury desert retreats and futuristic domes to mountain resorts carved directly into rock. Here are some of the region’s most extraordinary stays for a one-of-a-kind escape.
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa – UAE
Forget all about city skylines, this resort places guests in the heart of a protected desert reserve. Inspired by traditional Bedouin heritage, its tent-style suites come with private pools overlooking endless dunes where Arabian oryx and gazelles roam freely.
The concept is all about immersing guests in the desert without sacrificing luxury, creating the feeling of living in a private oasis hidden in the sands.
Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp – Jordan
If you’ve ever wondered what sleeping on Mars would feel like, this is probably the closest you’ll get. The camp’s signature transparent bubble tents offer panoramic views of Wadi Rum’s dramatic landscape and star-filled skies.
By combining traditional Bedouin hospitality with futuristic dome accommodation, the camp turns a night in the desert into an otherworldly experience.
Alila Jabal Akhdar – Oman
Perched high above a canyon in Oman’s Al Hajar Mountains, this resort takes inspiration from the region’s ancient forts and mountain villages.
Built using locally sourced stone and traditional Omani architectural elements, the property blends seamlessly into the rugged landscape while offering some of the most dramatic views in the region.
Majara Residence – Iran
One of the region’s most striking architectural projects, Majara Residence looks like a cluster of colorful domes scattered across the landscape.
Inspired by the island’s vibrant geology and local building traditions, the property was designed to blend contemporary architecture with community-focused development. Its playful, candy-colored structures make it feel more like an art installation than a conventional hotel.
The Land of Legends Kingdom – Turkey
Designed to resemble a fantasy kingdom straight out of a storybook, this hotel takes themed hospitality to another level.
Every room is inspired by fairy tales and adventure worlds, while the property itself is connected to a massive Nickelodeon-themed entertainment complex packed with attractions, water slides, and immersive experiences. It’s essentially a theme park and hotel rolled into one.
Desert Rock Resort – Saudi Arabia
Rather than building on top of the landscape, Desert Rock is built into it. The resort is carved directly into the Hejaz Mountains, with suites and villas embedded within cliffs and rock formations.
Using stone excavated from the site itself, the architecture appears to emerge naturally from the terrain, creating one of the most ambitious hospitality projects in the region.
Shebara Resort – Saudi Arabia
Floating above the turquoise waters of the Red Sea, Shebara’s futuristic overwater villas resemble polished silver pearls hovering over the sea.
The resort’s reflective stainless-steel structures mirror the sky and ocean around them, creating a constantly changing visual experience that feels more like a glimpse into the future than a traditional beach escape.
Whether you’re dreaming of sleeping under the stars in a desert bubble, staying inside a mountain carved from stone, or checking into a floating futuristic villa, these hotels prove that a getaway can be much more than just a place to spend the night.
For travelers seeking something beyond the ordinary this summer, these unique concepts deserve a spot on your bucket list.
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