The Oberoi Sukoonvilas To Open In Saudi Arabia’s Wadi Safar In 2027

The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts has revealed details of The Oberoi Sukoonvilas, Wadi Safar, an intimate luxury resort under development in one of Saudi Arabia’s emerging destinations. The property is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2027 and will be the first hotel to welcome guests in Wadi Safar.

Located around 30 minutes from Riyadh and close to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif in Diriyah, Wadi Safar is being developed around the region’s landscape, heritage and cultural identity. The destination spans dramatic escarpments and desert valleys, with plans bringing together nature, wellbeing, sport and luxury hospitality.

60 Villas And 10 Branded Residences

Set atop a 70-metre escarpment, The Oberoi Sukoonvilas will occupy more than 37 acres of landscaped terrain. The resort is planned around 60 standalone villas and 10 branded residences, with its design drawing on the architectural traditions of Najd.

Aedas is responsible for the architecture, while global design studio Blink has designed the interiors. The resort will use shaded courtyards, waterbodies and a strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces to reference the region’s architectural heritage. The intention is to place contemporary luxury within the landscape rather than separate it from it.

Food will form another part of the resort’s offering. Yatra will serve contemporary Indian cuisine curated by Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai, while Linnet will focus on artisanal pastries and café culture under pastry chef Lily Vanilli. Beyla will offer international cuisine, alongside more relaxed poolside dining overlooking the escarpment.

Wellness And A Saudi-Indian Connection

Wellness will be centred around ASMI by Oberoi, the group’s wellness programme, with signature journeys alongside hammams, indoor wellness pools and fitness facilities. A 65-metre infinity pool will overlook Wadi Safar, providing another focal point for the resort.

The property is also intended to create a cultural dialogue between Saudi Arabia and India through its architecture, food and approach to hospitality. That connection runs through the resort’s design and dining concepts, while remaining rooted in the character of its Saudi setting.

Jerry Inzerillo, Group Chief Executive Officer of Diriyah Company, described the opening as an important milestone for Wadi Safar, given that The Oberoi Sukoonvilas will be the destination’s first hotel. Vikram Oberoi, Chief Executive Officer of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, said the resort had been conceived around its surroundings, with architecture, landscape and hospitality intended to work together.

For Jeremy Canivet, General Manager of The Oberoi Sukoonvilas, the focus will be on creating a guest experience shaped by Wadi Safar itself, from the villas and landscaped gardens to its dining and wellness offerings.

The resort’s opening will coincide with the wider development of Wadi Safar as a destination near Diriyah, the birthplace of the First Saudi State. The Oberoi Sukoonvilas will be the first hotel to open there, positioning its arrival as an early marker in the development of the new destination.