Marriott International’s EDITION Hotels has opened the first hotel on Saudi Arabia’s Shura Island, marking a key step in the kingdom’s multi-billion-dollar plan to turn its Red Sea coastline into a global luxury tourism hub.
The Red Sea EDITION is the second EDITION property in Saudi Arabia, following its Jeddah debut last year. The 240-room resort is the first to open on Shura Island, the flagship development within the Red Sea project led by state-backed developer Red Sea Global (RSG).
The launch underscores Saudi Arabia’s efforts to expand its high-end tourism offering under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify the economy away from oil by attracting international visitors and investors.
RSG said the resort forms part of one of the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism initiatives, powered entirely by renewable energy and designed to preserve the area’s fragile marine environment. The island development includes Saudi Arabia’s first 18-hole island golf course and will eventually host multiple luxury hotels, marinas and leisure attractions.
“The opening of The Red Sea EDITION marks a significant milestone in the brand’s continued growth across the region,” said George Fleck, EDITION’s Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader. “As our second property in Saudi Arabia, this resort embodies the EDITION ethos of crafting highly personalised spaces that feel attuned to their environment.”
Accessible via Red Sea International Airport, the hotel features one- and two-bedroom suites, outdoor pools, a spa, gym, and several restaurants and lounges. The property was designed by the Rockwell Group and incorporates natural materials such as coral stone, oak and rammed earth to reflect the surrounding landscape.
“This opening represents a major milestone for the destination as it marks the launch of Shura Island,” said Tony Coveney, Area General Manager for Marriott Luxury Group, The Red Sea. “We are incredibly proud to have this honour of being the first official opening on the island.”
The Red Sea project – comprising more than 90 islands, coral reefs and lagoons – is among Saudi Arabia’s flagship “giga-projects” alongside NEOM and Diriyah. RSG expects the destination to eventually attract up to one million visitors a year once fully operational.
