When it opens in 2023, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, will form part of The Red Sea Project. Photo: Marriott International
When it opens in 2023, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, will form part of The Red Sea Project. Photo: Marriott International
When it opens in 2023, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, will form part of The Red Sea Project. Photo: Marriott International
When it opens in 2023, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, will form part of The Red Sea Project. Photo: Marriott International

Saudi Arabia to host the region's first Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel


Selina Denman
  • English
  • Arabic

Marriott's Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand will make its debut in the Middle East with a property off the coast of Saudi Arabia.

When it opens in 2023, Nujuma will form part of The Red Sea Project, a mega-development taking shape off the west coast.

Blending indigenous design and highly personalised services, Nujuma joins an exclusive collection of five Ritz-Carlton Reserves worldwide. It will be located on a collection of pristine private islands in the Red Sea’s Blue Hole atoll.

A rendering of a villa at Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Photo: Marriott International
A rendering of a villa at Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Photo: Marriott International

Accommodation will be offered in 63 one- to four-bedroom water and beach villas, complemented by a spa, swimming pools, multiple culinary venues, a retail area and a range of other leisure facilities, including a conservation centre.

The property will also offer 18 Ritz-Carlton Reserve branded residences.

“We are thrilled to bring our most luxurious brand, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and its exemplary experience to the Middle East,” said Jerome Briet, chief development officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International.

“Perfectly situated on one of the most anticipated regenerative tourism projects in the world, the resort will blend seclusion and sophistication to provide a highly personalised luxury escape.”

Reserve properties are found in Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

“I am excited to welcome Ritz-Carlton Reserve into the fold of our luxury collection of brands for The Red Sea,” says John Pagano, chief executive at The Red Sea Development Company.

“Around the world, Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties are synonymous with providing unique luxury experiences and creating personalised meaningful escapes, underpinned by a commitment to sustainable practices. As we inch closer to opening our first resorts early next year, this world-class brand is sure to excite and entice future guests.”

The Red Sea Project is a tourism venture covering 28,000 square kilometres, of which less than one per cent will be developed. It encapsulates an archipelago of more than 90 untouched natural islands, as well as dormant volcanoes, desert dunes, mountains and wadis, and more than 1,600 cultural heritage sites.

All the hotels opening at Saudi Arabia's Red Sea — in pictures:

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Teaching your child to save

Pre-school (three - five years)

You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.

Early childhood (six - eight years)

Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.

Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)

Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.

Young teens (12 - 14 years)

Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.

Teenage (15 - 18 years)

Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.

Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)

Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.

* JP Morgan Private Bank 

Results

2.15pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m

Winner: Hello, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihi (trainer).

2.45pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m

Winner: Right Flank, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

3.15pm: Handicap Dh115,000 1,000m

Winner: Leading Spirit, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

3.45pm: Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 Dh575,000 1,600m

Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,400m

Winner: Ode To Autumn, Patrick Cosgrave, Satish Seemar.

4.45pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh125,000 1,200m

Winner: Last Surprise, James Doyle, Simon Crisford.

5.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,200m

Winner: Daltrey, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihi.

New UK refugee system

 

  • A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
  • Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
  • A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
  • To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
  • Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
  • Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Updated: May 23, 2022, 10:07 AM