Desert Rock Resort Creates Saudi Arabia Luxury Tourism History With MICHELIN Three Keys Win

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Desert Rock Resort has recently been awarded 3 Michelin stars and is now the first and only resort in Saudi Arabia to achieve this prestigious recognition. Located in the beautiful Hijaz mountains, this exquisite property has some of the most unique and majestic design elements that help pay homage to its beautiful location while providing some of the most luxurious services and experiences in the world. With 1 Michelin star property Shebara Resort, located in the same destination, also retaining its recognition for 2026, The Red Sea is rapidly becoming one of the most desirable luxury destinations in the world.

With this recognition, Desert Rock enters an elite group of only 155 hotels worldwide awarded Three MICHELIN Keys in 2026. It is also one of just two properties across the GCC region to receive the prestigious distinction. Globally, the 2026 MICHELIN hotel selection includes 155 Three-Key properties, 657 Two-Key hotels and 2,020 One-Key hotels.

Desert Rock has also secured the 2026 MICHELIN Architecture & Design Award, further strengthening its international recognition. Set within the dramatic granite formations of Saudi Arabia’s Hijaz Mountains, the resort was designed by Oppenheim Architecture with a philosophy centred on integrating buildings into the natural landscape rather than imposing structures upon it.

Its villas, suites and shared spaces have been carefully carved into, suspended from and positioned around the surrounding mountains, creating a strong connection between architecture and nature. Desert Rock features 64 private-pool villas and suites, alongside experiences ranging from mountain adventures and stargazing to destination dining and wellness programmes inspired by the rugged desert environment.

Shebara Resort offers a contrasting island experience on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. Located on a private island within the Al Wajh Lagoon, the resort is surrounded by clear waters, white-sand beaches and colourful coral reefs.

The property features 73 private-pool villas, including its distinctive reflective overwater villas, which appear like a string of pearls floating above the lagoon. Guests can access a wide range of activities and experiences, including diving, snorkelling, sailing and electric water sports, together with five dining venues and a spa concept influenced by the island’s natural surroundings.

Both Desert Rock and Shebara are operated by Red Sea Global Hospitality. Together, the two resorts present very different interpretations of luxury travel on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, combining mountain landscapes, island settings, distinctive architecture and nature-focused hospitality across The Red Sea destination.

Sébastien Carré, Group Head of Hospitality at Red Sea Global Hospitality, said: “This is a landmark moment for Red Sea Global Hospitality, and a proud one for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The three MICHELIN Keys and the Architecture & Design
Award for Desert Rock, alongside Shebara retaining its Two Keys, place both resorts among the most exceptional in the world. Desert Rock and Shebara were created to represent Saudi Arabian hospitality on a global stage. To see them recognised by
MICHELIN in this way is a moment of immense pride for everyone who brought them to life.”

The MICHELIN Key is awarded to exceptional hotels featured in The MICHELIN Guide’s worldwide hotel selection. Among the three levels of recognition, Three MICHELIN Keys represent the highest honour. For the 2026 selection, more than 2,800 hotels received MICHELIN Key distinctions from a global portfolio of over 9,000 hotels reviewed by the Guide.