Family travel expert Maryanne Peacock checks into the energetic, family-friendly and timeless resort in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea destination – The St. Regis Red Sea Resort

Why book The St. Regis Red Sea Resort, Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea archipelago, a constellation of new luxury openings is redefining what travel looks like in the region. Just a five-minute boat ride from Nujuma, the two properties could not feel more different. Where Nujuma offers quietude and seclusion, The St. Regis Red Sea Resort hums with energy. Its atmosphere is social, spirited, and ever-so-slightly theatrical, the kind of place where stories are told around dinner tables and friendships are struck on the beach. To experience both is to glimpse two sides of the same pioneering vision, and together they reveal just how dramatically this coastline is transforming.

The The St. Regis Red Sea Resort location

Reaching The St. Regis Red Sea Resort is part of the adventure. The journey begins with a swift car ride from Red Sea International Airport to the marina, followed by a short boat crossing that whisks you across luminous waters. The team arranges everything with ease, and within moments of stepping off the boat you are enveloped in the resort’s lively rhythm. The setting is spectacular: a sweep of white sand edged with greenery that softens the desert landscape, coral reefs just offshore with sea life that seems even richer than its Ritz-Carlton neighbour. There is a certain vitality in the water here – turtles and sting rays, shoals of fish shimmer, and beneath it all the reef breathes with colour.

The villas

The villas are remarkable in their design, inspired by the form of a turtle – a motif that carries from floor mapping through to wall curves and light fittings. Shades of blue, green and natural wood dominate the interiors, echoing the palette of sea, sand and foliage. It is a clever architectural narrative, deeply tied to place yet undeniably contemporary.

Beach villas are perhaps the most beautiful, their decks opening directly onto sand shaded by palm and planted greenery that gives them a softer, more tropical feel. Overwater Coral Villas bring a sense of theatre, their circular forms spiralling above the lagoon with uninterrupted views of the horizon. Larger families or groups gravitate towards the Astor Villas, where three bedrooms are spread across 229 square metres with open-air showers and a media room, while the Presidential Dune Villa is a statement of scale and indulgence, stretching across four bedrooms and vast sundecks on the beachfront. Wherever you stay, there is a private pool, a generous sundeck, and interiors filled with handmade ceramics, natural fabrics and untreated wood that lend authenticity to the luxury. And then there is the butler service, a St. Regis signature. Our butler, Bob, was extraordinary – anticipating needs we didn’t know we had, from pressing clothes before dinner to arranging sunset drinks on the deck. 

Drinking and dining

Food is where the social spirit of The St. Regis Red Sea Resort truly comes to life. The resort has an impressive spread of restaurants, each with its own character and mood. The highlight for me was Gishiki 45, a modern Japanese izakaya where culinary artistry meets spectacle. The interiors are striking – a glowing blue glass bar, a dramatic wall feature that catches the light just so – but it is the food that lingers in memory. Sushi and teppanyaki are prepared with flair, and a chocolate-banana dessert turned out to be one of the best things I have eaten in years, indulgent yet perfectly balanced.

For those who prefer their dining accompanied by views of the reef, Tilina floats above the water and serves refined degustation menus that weave local and international flavours into symphonies of texture. Nesma is lighter in spirit, a bright, airy restaurant serving Middle Eastern dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, while The Beach Club keeps things casual and relaxed with grilled favourites and thirst-quenching infusions. At the heart of the resort is the St. Regis Bar, a stage for ritual and performance where champagne sabrage is performed at sunset to the sound of a violinist, afternoon tea unfolds with grace, and the Coral Mary – the resort’s own Bloody Mary inspired by the Red Sea – makes a spirited appearance. And if privacy beckons, in-villa dining can be arranged anywhere you choose, from your own deck to a candlelit corner of the beach.

Spa and facilities

The spa at St. Regis is every bit as opulent as you would hope, yet it remains grounded in its setting. Treatments use AMRA products and sustainably sourced botanicals, with rituals designed to engage all five senses. I tried the Red Sea Facial, which left my skin glowing, nourished by minerals and oils that felt both luxurious and deeply restorative. The spa is divided into male and female areas, each with vitality pools and relaxation spaces, and a yoga pavilion looks out across the water. A celebration bar – serving teas, tonics and elixirs post-treatment – is a lovely touch, a place to linger rather than rush back to reality.

Unlike its more private neighbour, St. Regis places activities and experiences at the centre of its offering. Watersports are not hidden away but celebrated: the lagoon is alive with paddleboarders, kayaks, and the occasional e-foiler. Sailing, windsurfing and catamaran trips are on hand for those who want to harness the breeze, while snorkelling and diving excursions head out to reefs that teem with marine life. The Galaxea Dive Center, located on nearby Nujuma, caters to all levels, from beginner snorkelers to PADI-certified divers.

On land, the activities are just as engaging. Mangrove planting and nature walks with the resident marine biologist connect guests to the fragile ecosystem. Bonfire nights on the beach bring a sense of community, while stargazing sessions with the resort’s astronomer offer a chance to be humbled by the cosmos. Lying beneath the Saudi sky, guided through constellations by an expert storyteller, is a memory that lingers long after you leave.

Families are exceptionally well looked after. The Children’s Club, fittingly named Little Treasures, is great for small kids. It has a fabulous outdoor space for climbing and playing, and indoors there are creative and cultural activities that keep young guests immersed and entertained.

The service

Service here is as polished as the interiors, yet never stiff. It is delivered with warmth and ease, anchored by the butler service that defines the St. Regis brand. Bob, our butler, was remarkable – intuitive, attentive, and genuinely kind. He seemed always present when needed and never intrusive when not. Elsewhere, the staff were equally impressive, striking that delicate balance of friendliness and professionalism that defines great hospitality.

The verdict

The St. Regis Red Sea Resort is an island alive with possibility. Its villas are clever in design and stunning in setting, its dining world-class, and its spa and activities endlessly rewarding. It feels more social than its Ritz-Carlton neighbour, but no less luxurious. In fact, the two complement each other – one private, one convivial – and together they elevate the Red Sea into a destination unlike any other.

We left wishing we had stayed longer, not because the days weren’t full, but because there was simply so much more to discover. From diving and snorkelling to stargazing and sabrage, every experience adds another layer to the story. The Red Sea is only just beginning to reveal itself as a world-class destination, and The St. Regis Red Sea Resort is leading the charge with flair, elegance and just the right amount of theatre.

Villas from AED5,145 per night; marriott.com; @thestregisredsea

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