Credit: Miraval The Red Sea

Each experience, from movement and meditation to culinary and creative workshops, is designed to be immersive, restorative and culturally resonant
– Hanna Kulyba, director of wellness, Miraval The Red Sea

Miraval The Red Sea has opened on Shura Island in Saudi Arabia as part of The Red Sea Project. The development is the first Miraval-branded property outside the US.

This site is the fourth Miraval resort in the world – following US-based properties in Arizona, Texas and Massachusetts.

Hyatt bought Miraval from previous owners Steve Case and investor KSL in 2017 and has also started putting its Life in Balance spas into Hyatt hotels. The first one opened in California at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in 2023.

Miraval The Red Sea is part of the Red Sea Project, which is being developed by Red Sea Global – a company owned by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 

In alignment with the developer’s commitment to regenerative tourism and sustainability principles, the resort is powered entirely by renewable energy.

Miraval Red Sea

The 180-key adults-only all-inclusive wellness resort has the largest spa on Shura Island. The 3,000sq m Life in Balance Spa has 39 treatment rooms.

The thermal facilities include salt rooms, hydrotherapy pools, a vitality pool and sensory shower. 

There are also relaxation lounges, a reflection pond and a courtyard. 

The spa is also home to a space called the Majlis Private Suite that honours the Saudi tradition of storytelling and shared experiences. Majlis means the heart of the home. Groups of up to eight people can seek rejuvenation together in this suite. Guests will be welcomed with Arabic coffee and dates before experiencing personalised spa treatments and mindful rituals. The suite has four individual treatment rooms and one hammam.

Earlier this year, Hanna Kulyba, director of wellness, Miraval The Red Sea, told Spa Business about how the brand has translated its concept in this region: “Bringing Miraval to the Middle East has been a journey of thoughtful interpretation. Saudi Arabia is a remarkable country of striking landscapes, from The Red Sea coastline to desert horizons, enriched by a deep cultural heritage rooted in intention, presence, kindness and human connection.”

“We remain true to Miraval’s philosophy of holistic wellness, mindfulness and personal growth, while thoughtfully weaving in this cultural and natural richness," continued Kulyba. "In many ways, our role has been to translate these meaningful traditions into the Miraval experience, sharing a culturally inspired approach to mindfulness and wellbeing through our offerings.

“Each experience, from movement and meditation to culinary and creative workshops, is designed to be immersive, restorative and culturally resonant," she added. "The intention is always presence: gently guiding guests to reconnect with themselves, with others, and with their surroundings.”

More wellbeing facilities

The Life in Balance Spa serves as the anchor for other wellbeing facilities at the property. These include a Serenity Centre, Body Mindfulness Centre, Miraval Challenge Course and Life in Balance Culinary Kitchen.

The Serenity Centre is the resort’s transformation and retreat centre for a variety of classes and workshops. It hosts classes in aerial yoga, silk-supported meditation, breathwork, art activities to foster creative expression, wellness counselling spaces, specialist consultation rooms and areas for group activities.

Kulyba said: “As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the region’s evolving wellness landscape, we anticipate welcoming many female guests seeking space to reconnect with themselves in a supportive and culturally respectful setting. With this in mind, we have thoughtfully designed women-focused experiences, including ladies-only classes offered throughout the day – ensuring every guest feels comfortable, supported and inspired on their wellbeing journey.”

The Body Mindfulness Centre is where fitness classes and equipment are on offer. There’s a fitness studio with Technogym equipment, a HIIT training room, private consultation room, barre and Pilates studios, a lap pool, performance lab, sound and music room and a outdoor fitness deck. There are female-only and co-ed studios available for training too.

The resort’s Aquatic Centre provides guests with various water sports facilities for guided adventures in the Red Sea. These activities include kayaking, snorkelling, paddleboarding, water bikes and a meeting space for group sessions. This centre also offers private beach access, and there’s a cafe too.

The Miraval Challenge Course is a suspended aerial obstacle course. Facilitators will guide guests along the course of ropes, netting and wooden structures to encourage vulnerability, mindfulness and courage – rather than adrenaline. 

The Red Sea Project

Miraval The Red Sea forms an integral part of The Red Sea Project, one of the world's most ambitious regenerative tourism developments. The project is expected to become one of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s premier international leisure destinations and will be committed to preserving and actively enhancing the natural environment, which spans 10,800 square miles.

The Red Sea Project stretches across 124 miles of coastline and an archipelago of 92 islands, dormant volcanoes, desert and mountains with a wide variety of wildlife.

The organic and nature-inspired architecture across the three million square feet of beaches and seafront landscapes is by Foster + Partners and interior design is by Rockwell Group.

The Miraval property is one of 50 planned resorts being created as part of the project.

Miraval

The original Miraval Resort, Miraval Arizona Resort and Spa in the northern Tucson desert, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Since the resort's inception in 1995, Miraval Arizona has been known for transformative experiences, supporting holistic wellbeing and the connection between mind, body and spirit.

Miraval Austin opened in Texas in 2019 and Miraval Berkshires in Lenox, Massachusetts, in 2020.