With a constellation of mirror-clad villas rising from the Red Sea, Shebara Resort is redefining castaway luxury

By Amanda McCoy

There are arrivals, and then there are unveilings. Touch down at Red Sea International Airport and within minutes the mainland dissolves behind you, replaced by open horizon and water so mind-warpingly clear it feels painted. Scattered across the Ummahat Islands like a string of celestial pearls, Shebara Resort emerges slowly into view, its mirrored stainless-steel villas reflecting both the sky and sea until they nearly disappear into the turquoise expanse. The effect is futuristic yet elemental, an avant-garde hideaway from a faraway galaxy (where aliens also indulge in lobster and caviar starters).

Developed as part of Saudi Arabia’s visionary Red Sea Project, Shebara is an ultra-luxury sanctuary designed for those wild-hearted wanderlusters seeking both serenity and spectacle. Accommodations range between one and four bedrooms, nestled into the powder-soft sand or suspended above translucent aquamarine shallows, and each is finished with a private infinity pool that appears to flow directly into the sea (here, a sunken lounge and circular daybed provide plenty of seating options for soaking in the Arabian rays). Interiors lean minimalist and luminous, allowing the ever-changing palette of the Red Sea to take center stage. Floor-to-ceiling glass invites dawn’s coral glow inside, while sunset positions the villas as lanterns suspended above ink-blue water. The rooms are equipped with an array of clever one-touch features that control everything from the sliding glass terrace doors and TV console to the fully stocked mini bar, all opening with the punch of a button.

The resort’s design language is boldly contemporary, yet its ethos is deeply ecological. Powered entirely by renewable energy via the resort’s solar farm and committed to preserving one of the world’s largest barrier reef systems, Shebara exists in dialogue with its environment. Beneath the villas, kaleidoscopic coral gardens teem with marine life, lending excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities to connect with the vast underwater metropolis of the Red Sea. Paddleboards skim over glassy shallows, private yachts drift toward hidden coves, and seabirds trace lazy arcs overhead. Guests can take part in windsurfing and sailing lessons, or turn up the thrills with e-motor watersports experiences.

There are five signature restaurants and bars on site, spanning a sweep of global flavors and tastes. Days begin at Lunara, a swanky brasserie-style eatery that whips up international sunrise favorites like brioche French toast, buttery pastries, crepes, and shakshuka alongside specialty coffee drinks and freshly squeezed juice. Patrons can return to the brasserie for lunch or dinner, or shake things up with casual bites at Saria, a beachfront pool bar and grill geared toward families.

Ariamare, Shebara’s Mediterranean option suspended over the sea, is a highlight, serving Michelin-starred restaurateur Chef Marco Garfagnini’s exquisite plates of tagliata di manzo, ricotta gnudi, and additional Italian culinary stars that celebrate the glorious bounty of land and sea. Diners can even take a peek behind the curtain via the Pasta Lab, where house-made pastas are put on display in a large glass encasement. Evenings here begin with a citrus-forward mocktail as the sky ignites in saffron and rose, then lead to a candlelit dinner where the only soundtrack is the rhythmic hush of waves in the distance.

The resort’s flagship entry is Iki.Roe, a glamorous Japanese-Peruvian omakase concept specializing in authentic Nikkei cuisine. Dining here unfolds with theatricality; an interactive kitchen is anchored by a tapestry of bamboo and glass, setting the scene for the big event: truffle teriyaki lobster, Wagyu tokusei tsukune (a premium Japanese yakitori-style meatball), and miso black cod. Be sure to end the evening with a nightcap mocktail at Solera, the sultry adults-only pool lounge wrapped in rich marble and moody accent lighting.

Wellness here feels elemental, not ornamental. Soul-cleansing spa rituals draw inspiration from ancient regional traditions, blending mineral-rich clays, marine extracts, and aromatic oils in beachside treatment cabanas overlooking open water. There’s also a large vitality pool ringed with oversized loungers, plus a Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, and ice chip station. Sunrise yoga sessions take place on private decks, while stargazing experiences reconnect guests to the vast, unobstructed Arabian sky, where the stain of city lights feels several galaxies away.

The Shebara experience is not rooted in spectacle in the traditional sense; it is about immersion. In an ever-swelling world of overwater fantasies, it is the rare retreat where design dares to be brazen and bold, yet silence still reigns supreme. A place where architecture stuns like larger-than-life sculpture art, lively reefs shimmer beneath your villa, and the horizon stretches unbroken in every direction.

Shebara Resort
shebara.sa