This festive season, Banyan Tree AlUla is inviting guests to celebrate the holidays amidst the tranquil beauty of Saudi Arabia’s Ashar Valley. Exquisite tented villas with private pools and sweeping desert views provide an idyllic setting for an unforgettable mix of adventure, fine dining, and relaxation.
AlUla’s clear winter skies and refreshing temperatures provide the ideal conditions to explore the captivating landscape. After a day of discovery, guests can relax by the iconic Rock Pool, overlooking vast valley vistas and creating moments of deep connection with nature in this breathtaking desert sanctuary.
Guests can celebrate Thanksgiving in style with a family-style sharing menu at Harrat on Nov. 27, featuring a festive feast perfect for bringing loved ones together. Beginning with a refreshing butternut squash salad, followed by succulent roasted turkey with all the traditional trimmings, and a decadent Beef Wellington, ending the meal with a classic pumpkin pie to capture the spirit of the season. The experience is available for SR450++ ($120) per person.
For those who prefer to celebrate at home, Banyan Tree AlUla offers a Thanksgiving To-Go package including a delicious roasted turkey perfect for up to six people. Guests can enjoy all the festive trimmings, including cauliflower “mac” with bacon and gouda, and roasted brussels sprouts, ending on a sweet note with a pumpkin pie. This is priced at SR1,200++, available for pre-order until Dec. 25.
The season’s highlight is the highly anticipated New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, where guests can ring in the New Year under the stars. This exclusive celebration, starting from SR8,100++ per night, includes a stay in the a tented Dune One-Bedroom Villa, where guests can enjoy the privacy of their own swimming pool, inclusive of a memorable gala dinner for two, ensuring a luxurious and immersive holiday escape.
The experience promises a celebration of elegance and nature that combines live DJ entertainment, with a remarkable culinary feast, hosted at Saffron Restaurant. As the evening begins, guests are welcomed with sunset mocktails and canapés, followed by a curated five-course menu by Chef Gede Widyarsana. Drawing inspiration from both local ingredients and international flavors, the dinner highlights a blend of delicate and bold flavors, from Red Sea lobster with avocado and fig arugula, to the rich notes of Patagonian Toothfish accompanied by purple curry and tropical Asian slaw. For the main course, guests will savor full-blood wagyu, prepared with a zaatar crust and paired with truffle hummus — a true fusion of Arabian and global cuisine.
In addition to the New Year’s Gala, Banyan Tree AlUla offers a variety of experiences throughout the festive season. Guests can embark on stargazing tours under AlUla’s pristine night skies, explore the Ashar Valley’s scenic trails, or take in AlUla’s natural beauty from above with a thrilling hot air balloon ride. The resort’s luxurious Banyan Tree Spa provides the ideal setting to start the New Year feeling refreshed, with treatments designed to restore balance and well-being.
The celebrations continue into the New Year, with a special all-day New Year’s Day brunch, priced at SR450++ per person, at Harrat from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., featuring an extensive selection of gourmet pastries, breakfast classics, and regional dishes. Highlights include a pastry and bakery corner with freshly made croissants, a variety of local and international sweets, a hot corner with crab cakes, polenta-crusted eggs, and Welsh rarebit.
