IHG Soft Launches InterContinental The Red Sea Resort

On December 1, IHG opened the InterContinental The Red Sea Resort, joining the collection of what would eventually be 11 hotels on Shura island.  

Located on the inner northwest section next door to the SLS Red Sea, the InterContinental features 210 rooms offering a variety of views including the ocean, beach front and lagoon.

Like many of the properties in the vicinity, the resort takes design cues from its surroundings, featuring minimalist and coral inspired themes. IHG has noted that this is a soft launch, as some of the facilities are still undergoing finishing works in time for their grand opening in the future.

“The opening of InterContinental The Red Sea Resort marks the beginning of a new chapter for guests to explore the Red Sea’s extraordinary beauty,” said Francesco Pantalone, General Manager. Reflecting on the milestone, Pantalone stated that through its refined design, bespoke experiences, and enduring spirit of discovery, InterContinental The Red Sea Resort seeks to deliver extraordinary experiences and timeless memories for our guests.

The InterContinental features a range of options from “Classic” rooms which are 52 square meters in size, up to their largest two-bedroom suites offering 156 square meters of space.

The rooms themselves have the usual amenities such as tea and coffee supplies, complimentary water, a mini bar, robes, free Wi-Fi and so on. Each room also has an outdoor living area, as well as a separate bath and walk-in shower area for when you’re finished taking a dip at the beach.

In terms of on-site amenities, there are five restaurants, three of which serve international themes while the other two cover American and Peruvian-styled food. The good news is that all bookings come with complimentary breakfast as well. There are three pools and a kids splash park, as well as a fitness center and spa. If you’re interested in playing golf, the Shura Links golf course is just across to the east. Even though it is within walking distance, I’m sure they also offer cart services to get to the other side.   

Development of Shura Island and the surrounding areas is part of the Red Sea Global project which wants to turn the once barren desert into a tourist getaway. All this is part of the larger Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to shift Saudi Arabia away from the dependence on the oil and gas industry.

As part of the Red Sea project, four islands are being transformed into a tourist hub including Shura Island, the Ummahat Islands, Sheybarah Island and Laheq Island. Inland, they are also working on development of the Southern Dunes, Turtle Bay Village, Desert Rock and Botanica (a botanical nursery).

And what’s a new major destination in the middle of nowhere without an airport? That’s where the newly built Red Sea International Airport comes into play.

Shura Island will see the majority of foreign tourist resorts, with 11 resorts set to be constructed and opened in the next few years. Marriott was the first out the gate, opening the Red Sea EDITION in mid-October, while the SLS Red Sea is also set to open any day now.

Not counting those two and the InterContinental, there are eight more hotels scheduled to be opening including a Grand Hyatt, Miraval, Fairmont, Rosewood, Four Seasons, Raffles, Faena and Jumeirah.

It’s clear from the selection of hotels that the Red Sea Development Company is targeting more affluent travelers. Just recently, the Saudi government started easing its restrictions on alcohol purchase and consumption, allowing select non-Muslim foreign residents the option to purchase limited quantities from a designated liquor shop in Riyadh.

To qualify, you must earn above a certain monthly income, but it wouldn’t surprise me if further exceptions are made later down the road to cater to projects like what is taking place at the Red Sea.

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