NEOM's luxurious Red Sea resort Sindalah opens
The unveiling of Sindalah island marks more than just another luxury destination in the Red Sea – it represents Saudi Arabia's bold vision for transforming its tourism landscape.
After two years of intensive development involving 30,000 workers, NEOM's first physical showcase is ready to welcome visitors to what could be the Kingdom's most ambitious hospitality project yet.
Key details
Located just five kilometers off NEOM's coastline, this 840,000-square-meter island paradise isn't merely about opulent hotels and yacht berths. It's a carefully orchestrated statement of intent, demonstrating Saudi Arabia's capability to compete in the ultra-luxury tourism market while maintaining a commitment to environmental stewardship.
The numbers are impressive: 2,400 daily guests by 2028, 3,500 new jobs, 38 dining venues, and an 86-berth marina designed to attract Europe's yacht-owning elite. But what's more intriguing is how Sindalah balances luxury with sustainability.
The island's waters host 1,100 fish species (45 unique to NEOM) and 300 coral species, making conservation central to its development strategy.
Designed by renowned yachting architect Luca Dini, with a yacht club by Stefano Ricci, Sindalah offers a glimpse of Saudi Arabia's new identity as a luxury tourism destination.
The island's amenities read like a wish list for high-end travelers: a par-70 golf course, 440 premium rooms, 88 villas, and 218 luxury serviced apartments, all wrapped in cutting-edge technology and architectural excellence.
But perhaps the most significant aspect of Sindalah isn't its facilities – it's what the project represents.
CEOs message
As NEOM CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr noted, this is "the gateway to the Red Sea" and a testament to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 agenda. It's a physical manifestation of Saudi Arabia's determination to diversify its economy beyond oil and reshape its global image.
As Sindalah prepares to welcome its first guests, it raises an intriguing question: Could this island paradise be the catalyst that transforms Saudi Arabia from a business destination to a luxury tourism powerhouse?
In November, it was announced that Sindalah had forged a partnership with superyacht service provider Burgess, aiming to deliver a comprehensive suite of services to the island’s yachting community in anticipation of its inauguration later this year.
Jonathan Hind, Managing Director of Burgess Middle East, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: "We are thrilled to contribute to this groundbreaking development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at NEOM. Sindalah is poised to fulfil every desire of the superyacht clientele, ensuring an unparalleled experience, with our team ready to make it a reality," as reported by Superyacht News.
The writer is a Middle East luxury travel analyst and regular contributor to Nemnna.