The Red Sea EDITION made its grand debut last year as part of the Red Sea project, one of the world’s most ambitious and forward-thinking tourism initiatives in recent years. The giga-project is transforming more than 90 islands along Saudi Arabia’s west coast into a travel destination for eco-responsible luxury. The EDITION marked an important project milestone: it was the first hotel to welcome guests on Shura, the Red Sea’s main island.
Seamlessly blending the lifestyle brand’s signature modern, minimalist aesthetic with the rugged beauty of the desert and warm Saudi hospitality, the property set the tone for the region. The winning combination earned it the title of Forbes Travel Guide’s Best New Hotel Opening for 2025.
For the third annual award, an executive editorial committee narrowed the field to five finalists, which included Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Costa Rica; Orient Express La Minerva, Rome; Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur; and Waldorf Astoria New York. Readers and followers then crowned the winner through an online survey.
Learn more about this newly opened hot spot.
The Look and Feel
At the Rockwell Group-designed hotel, the landscape’s rocks, sand and sea inspire the look. The arrival pavilion is sculpted from warm rammed earth and natural oak, an homage to the canyon walls in Saudi deserts. It’s softened with touches like verdant greenery and a ceramic chandelier that resembles a stone fragment. The property’s other pavilions have custom rooftops that mimic coral formations.
The 240 guest rooms and 53 suites radiate tranquility with natural oak, coral stone flooring, sandy tones and soft lighting. Panoramic windows overlook the sea or the island, and some suites feature their own private pools. The spacious bathrooms come with a walk-in shower and a separate tub and Le Labo toiletries.
“Every element of the resort is intentionally designed to create an emotional journey that evolves through the day and into the evening,” says Tony Coveney, area general manager, Marriott Red Sea Region. “This natural rhythm is connected to a deeper purpose, offering more than just an escape but a transformational experience.”
The Amenities
At the EDITION’s second Saudi hotel (the first is in Jeddah), all-day restaurant Central specializes in creative New American dishes. The Lobby serves coffee and pastries in the morning and later an Aperi-Tea, which reinvents afternoon tea and cake into tea-based cocktails and nutritious small plates. JIWA Terrace brings healthy fare like Indonesian shaved ice from an es campur trolley, ceviches and mocktails poolside.
JIWA Beach Club delivers more Indonesian cuisine, and according to Coveney, the venue offers the most popular hotel amenity. “There is a nightly fire show designed to bring theater and motion to the evening beach experience,” he says. “The food and beverage experience is complemented by carefully curated musical programming that transforms the evening ambiance into unforgettable shared moments.”
When you need to unwind, head to the five-treatment-room spa with holistic services featuring Omorovicza and Le Labo products and EDITION Rituals using heated sea stones, flowing massage and mineral-rich wraps. A highlight is the Recovery Dome, a suite of hydrothermal experiences, including an infrared sauna, a bio sauna, heated stone loungers, a snow shower and a lymphatic shower. A gym curates a range of fun classes, from tension-zapping Shaolin Moves to glute-shaping Booty Builder.
The luxury hotel also offers a heated outdoor infinity pool, a watersports center (try everything from scuba to sailing), tennis and padel courts, and a volleyball court. In addition, guests receive access to nearby Shura Links, an 18-hole golf course designed by Brian Curley.
The Sustainability
Like the rest of the Red Sea project, the EDITION was designed with sustainability in mind. Its infrastructure uses 100% solar power, and there are no single-use plastics anywhere on the property. The hotel even provides complimentary sustainable transportation to and from the airport.
The property also gives guests the chance to help preserve the nearby barrier reef — the fourth largest in the world — with coral gardening sessions and conservation dives.
