Neom has unveiled Leyja, comprised of a collection of three "luxury high-end boutique hotels" at the Gulf of Aqaba coast in Northwest Saudi Arabia.

Dubbed as Leyja, the region will house three marvel-like boutique hotels carved between 400-metre-high mountains. 

The valley is surrounded by alluring waters in the west, then winds inland to form a magnificent natural valley that have been crafted over long centuries by the power of nature and water.

Home of Adventure Hotel is designed by Chris van Duijn. Image courtesy of Neom

A vertical, jewelry-like Oasis Hotel is designed by Mario Cucinella, a mirrored Home of Wellness Hotel is designed by Shaun Killa, and a rock-climbing Home of Adventure Hotel is designed by Chris van Duijn.

Neom's new trourism destination is part of the development's ongoing commitment to becoming a multi-faceted destination and part of a strong and sustainable tourism industry under Saudi Vision 2030. Leyja will be the fifth region of Neom, after Oxagon, Sindalah, The Line, Trojena, Epicon, Siranna, Utamo, and Norlana.

Home of Adventure Hotel is designed by Chris van Duijn. Image courtesy of Neom

"Starting from the Gulf of Aqaba coast and winding inland, Leyja guests will walk from the destination’s experience center to each property, allowing them to take in the dramatic landscape – with the first home approximately 2.8km from the entrance," said Neom in its press release. 

The hotels will feature 120 rooms and suites which will be split equally across the three hotels. Each hotel will offer "differentiated experiences while taking guests on one integrated journey of human transformation through disconnection and reconnection," according to Neom.

Home of Adventure Hotel is designed by Chris van Duijn. Image courtesy of Neom

While the three hotels are designed according to the shape of the valley, visitors start their journey with the Home of Adventure hotel, designed by Chris van Duijn - who is the Partner of OMA. 

The Home of Adventure Hotel will be a place "where raw adventure, sport, and technology collide", as Neom stated. The shape of the hotel traces the topography of the wadi and forms "an out-of-this-world appearance". The hotel allows guests to seamlessly embrace rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and multi-day treks.

Irregularly-designed multiple linear volumes are staggered around the valley, while some of them are climbing to make a tower in itself. End façade of each linear volume has a floor-to-ceiling glass. 

Home of Adventure Hotel is designed by Chris van Duijn. Image courtesy of Neom

The hotel will consist of welcome lobby, events & entertainment floors, sky lobby, wellness spa on the lower levels, while a sky pool is placed on the upper floor of the lower volume. Lounge and fine dining are arranged in other horizontal volume.

Home of Adventure Hotel is designed by Chris van Duijn. Image courtesy of Neom

"It's energy-neutral, t's carbon-neutral"

"Neom is founded on a very sustainable approach," said van Duijn said in a video introducing Leyja. "It's energy-neutral. It's carbon-neutral. The world needs to see how we can develop positive solutions for us to live in."

"Every building that is designed will be designed in respect and in balance with nature and the landscape," he added.

Neom stated that 95 per cent of Leyja preserves the nature, the properties will be arranged in architectural structures, designed to enhance the natural surroundings.

The Oasis Hotel by Mario Cucinella. Image courtesy of Neom

"Our work is to find again this friendship with nature"

The second hotel, dubbed as Oasis, is situated further into the wadi, which is described as "a celebration of nature’s generosity". 

Designed by Italian architect Mario Cucinella, the hotel is comprised of vertical elements that end in different heights, which looks like a jewelry. 

Naturally rising alongside the mountains, according to Neom, "it symbolizes the livable balance between natural protection and strategic innovation." "Oasis will indulge guests with stargazing rituals and culinary delights, including a Chef in Residence program."

The Oasis Hotel by Mario Cucinella. Image courtesy of Neom

The hotel features guest lobby, a mineral garden, hanging gardens, restaurant & lounges, private lounge, guest rooms, suites, a rooftop pool, and an observation deck. 

The Oasis Hotel by Mario Cucinella. Image courtesy of Neom

"In the last century, architecture was against nature, no?" said Cucinella. "Polluting cities, polluting people, polluting the air."

"Our work is to find again this friendship with nature," Cucinella added. "To design a building is a journey, from the dreams to the reality is the most difficult part."

Home of Wellness Hotel is designed by Shaun Killa. Image courtesy of Neom

"It creates this mirage of not quite knowing what's building and what's mountain"

The final hotel, dubbed Home of Wellness, is set to be built as a restorative retreat for guests. The hotel, designed by Shaun Killa - who is the Director and Founder of Dubai-based practice Killa Design, is expected to be a highly reflective piece of architecture.

The hotel mirrors its extraordinary landscape surrounding it. "The property will play host to global longevity experts while blending innovative wellness practices with ancient rituals," said Neom.

Home of Wellness Hotel is designed by Shaun Killa. Image courtesy of Neom

The Home of Wellness, described as "a cutting-edge longevity melts with ancient ritual", features wellness floor, gymnasium, welcome lobby, rooms, suites, restaurant, and lounge. 

"It creates this mirage of not quite knowing what's building and what's mountain. Where nature is so powerful, it becomes a very spiritual feeling of how insignificant we are," said Killa. 

"One of the greatest challenges is creating beautiful buildings that change emotion, that are timeless and sustainable," Killa added. 

"It's our responsibility to build as such a light touch in the wadi that it's almost like a footprint hasn't landed," he continued. 

Home of Wellness Hotel is designed by Shaun Killa. Image courtesy of Neom

Moreover, Leyja will offer an extensive selection of refined experiences and activities, including fine dining and contemporary restaurants presented by world-renowned chefs. 

It will offer extensive guided wadi walks, and enthralling 73-kilometre-long hiking trail towards the Trojena mountain resort, which is being developed as part of Neom project. It will be a year-round tourist resort destination, located 50km from the Gulf of Aqaba coast in the heart of the nature region. 

Additional experiences and activities will be within dramatic mountain landscapes for guests, with mountain biking and climbing on offer for those looking for adventure.

Leyja will be Neom’s latest development and follows the announcement of the project’s flagship regions, including Sindalah, its luxury island; The Line, a cognitive linear city that represents the future of urban living; Trojena, its year-round mountain destination and the first outdoor ski experience in the GCC region; and Oxagon, the reimagined industrial city and home to advanced and clean industries in Neom.

Home of Wellness Hotel is designed by Shaun Killa. Image courtesy of Neom

Neom recently presented projects behind its controversial mega project The Line at this year's Venice Architecture Biennale. 

The $500 billion Neom mega project, The Line, is currently under construction in the Tabuk Province of northwestern Saudi Arabia. The project was highly criticised for the violation of human rights. 

Last year, three men were sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for resisting "displacements" in Neom project site by Saudi Arabia’s Specialised Criminal Court (SCC). Described as "a revolution in urban living", The Line will incorporate smart technologies and is expected to provide home 9 million residents. 

Top image in the article: The Oasis Hotel by Mario Cucinella. Image courtesy of Neom.

All images courtesy of Neom.

> via Neom 

boutique hotel Chris van Duijn concept hotel Mario Cucinella Neom Shaun Killa