JEDDAH: The Royal Commission for AlUla will restore several historic mud-brick buildings into a boutique hotel using contemporary engineering methods, to further expand the accommodation and cultural offerings in the area.
Dar Tantora by The House Hotel will offer 30 rooms, pool, spa, restaurant and cafe. The rooms will be adorned with traditional decor, furniture and artistic accents, incorporating elements that capture the area’s intangible heritage.
Local artisans received specialized training to participate in the restoration endeavors.
Alula Old Town was recognized by the UN World Tourism Organization as a ‘Best Tourism Village’ in 2022. (SPA)
John Northen, vice president-head of hotels and resorts at the RCU, said: “Dar Tantora by The House Hotel will allow guests to live the rich heritage of the AlUla Old Town historical village.”
“Steeped in the past yet embracing progress, this hotel encapsulates RCU’s vision for a diverse range of accommodations as we continue to deliver on our plans for more than 5,000 keys by 2030.”
The project reflects the commission’s efforts to revive AlUla Old Town with tourism as the engine of development and job creation. A Sustainability Charter is assigned to govern each project’s economic, social and environmental impacts.
For delivering on this vision, AlUla Old Town was recognized by the UN World Tourism Organisation as a “Best Tourism Village” in 2022.
“We take immense pride in operating Dar Tantora by The House Hotel, a location that seamlessly weaves AlUla Old Town’s cultural legacy with the comfort of modern luxury,” said Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality.
“Our dedication to delivering exceptional guest experiences resonates with RCU’s objective of creating harmonious communities, and we eagerly look forward to playing a significant role in the region’s development,” Knippenberg added.
