NEWS
Oberoi to open desert sanctuary in Wadi Safar as new luxury gateway to Diriyah
The Oberoi Group is preparing to debut The Oberoi, Wadi Safar in the second half of 2026, introducing a new ultra-luxury retreat on the edge of historic Diriyah. Set across 62 square kilometres of some of Saudi Arabia's most untouched natural terrain, the resort is envisioned as an exclusive escape that blends desert tranquillity with access to one of the kingdom’s most culturally significant destinations. With just 60 rooms and 10 private villas, it will offer an intimate alternative to large-scale developments emerging across the country. As Oberoi Hotels & Resorts expands its footprint in Saudi Arabia, the property is positioned to become a landmark address for discerning travellers seeking seclusion, scenery and a strong sense of place.
Anchored in the dramatic landscape of Wadi Safar, The Oberoi, Wadi Safar has been conceived as a discreet collection of accommodations that showcase the surrounding escarpment rather than dominate it. Each of the 60 rooms and 10 villas is planned to maximise views of the desert horizon, with the entire resort overlooking the Royal Equestrian and Polo Club and a Greg Norman-designed 27-hole championship golf course. This setting reinforces the property’s positioning as a hub for high-end leisure, where equestrian pursuits, world-class golf and immersive desert experiences sit alongside the signature intuitive, graceful service for which Oberoi Hotels & Resorts is known. By limiting the key count, the brand ensures that privacy, space and personalised attention remain central to the guest experience.
The resort’s facilities are designed to support both quiet retreats and high-profile gatherings. A dedicated ballroom will accommodate events of up to 160 guests, making The Oberoi, Wadi Safar a compelling venue for intimate celebrations, executive meetings and destination weddings that seek a dramatic desert backdrop. A full-service spa, pool area and Yoga Studio will cater to wellness-focused guests, offering spaces for relaxation and restoration between explorations of nearby Diriyah or time on the fairways. Families will find added appeal in the Kids Club, while a Business Centre ensures that corporate travellers can stay connected and productive without detracting from the resort’s overall atmosphere of calm.
Culinary experiences will play a key role in expressing the character of the resort and its surroundings. Five distinct dining venues are planned, each featuring outdoor seating that takes advantage of either a central grand water feature or the striking escarpment views. This emphasis on alfresco dining allows guests to connect more closely with the landscape, from sunrise breakfasts to dinners under the desert sky. By combining carefully curated menus with memorable settings, The Oberoi, Wadi Safar aims to elevate everyday dining into a core part of the stay, aligned with the brand’s reputation for refined, destination-led gastronomy.
As The Oberoi Group advances its presence in the kingdom, The Oberoi, Wadi Safar will become its second hotel in Saudi Arabia, joining The Oberoi, Madina, an award-winning property located close to the Prophet’s Mosque. Together, the two hotels will bookend different facets of the country’s appeal: one centred on spiritual significance, the other on cultural discovery and desert luxury near Diriyah. Positioned as a serene gateway to this historic area and framed by equestrian and golfing facilities, The Oberoi, Wadi Safar is set to strengthen the brand’s association with thoughtfully placed, high-end retreats in destinations of growing global interest.
Source: Oberoi Group
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