Luxury Resort Experience in Saudi Arabia
The speaker visited a luxury resort in Saudi Arabia, which opened in 2024 as part of the country’s efforts to grow and expand its energy development and tourist projects. Despite high expectations, the speaker experienced problems and challenges, starting with the difficulty of getting to the resort due to a lack of direct flights.
Journey to the Resort
The narrator waited over a day for their flight and almost missed it, but made it to the gate in time. They flew on an older plane to a unique airport that is still under construction, but had a surprisingly efficient security check. To get to their destination, Chevro, they had three options: a sea plane, boat, or private yacht, but the sea plane option was cancelled due to windy weather, so they took a transfer car, a new Mercedes, to get to the port.
Arrival and First Impressions
Upon arrival, the speaker had a bumpy start but felt they were on the right track. They arrived at a lounge to wait for a boat, but the wait was unclear and uncommunicated, causing frustration. After about 30 minutes, they received an update that they would be leaving in 15 minutes, having originally been planned to leave at 2:00. The speaker was impressed by the stunning first impression of the Six Senses Southern Dunes resort, which opened in 2023 as part of a larger project, with additional openings in 2024.
Resort Features and Design
The resort’s design, created by Kila Design, blends into the landscape, and the surroundings are breathtaking and untouched. The resort was built using eco-friendly solutions, including Saudi Arabia’s largest off-grid charging network, a solar plant, recycling system, and desalination plant, making it a unique and sustainable destination. The place is stunning with beautiful furniture and decor, and electric buggies are available for transportation.
Dining Experiences
The speaker tried several restaurants, including Lunar, which has a beautiful white interior and a creative ceiling, and Ikiro, which serves Nikai cuisine, a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian food. They also had dinner at Aryamare, an Italian restaurant, where the atmosphere and service were nice. The menu featured classic items, and the food, including appetizers and homemade pasta, was delicious with fresh flavors and rich sauces.
Accommodations and Amenities
The speaker’s villa was breathtaking, with a beautiful interior designed by Studio Paulo Ferrari, featuring a unique and flowing design with no corners. The kitchen had a secret door for butlers to deliver food and other items unnoticed. The speaker was impressed by the custom-made furniture and beautiful design of the villa, featuring curved and soft elements, with high-quality materials and attention to detail.
Challenges and Issues
Despite the luxury and beauty of the resort, the speaker encountered several frustrating issues, including a late driver, unresponsive butler service, and delays in receiving ordered drinks. They also experienced a mysterious phone call offering Coke Zero and had an issue with other guests entering their room with a key card, indicating a management problem.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The writer had a unique experience at the resort, with amazing scenery and great people, but also encountered strange and unpleasant moments. The total bill for a 3-day stay was $7,200, and the writer felt that for this amount, they expected better hospitality and finesse, not just a high price. Despite initial issues, the resort staff listened to the writer’s concerns and offered a kind gesture of free dinners. The speaker expresses optimism about the place’s potential for growth and success, despite current issues, and wishes them the best.
Saudi Arabia’s Development Plans
Saudi Arabia has ambitious development plans, including the Vision 2030 program, which aims to attract 100 million annual visitors by 2030, a goal that was already reached in 2023 with 110 million visitors. The program includes renewable energy projects, industry developments, and tourist developments, such as the Red Sea project with 22 islands and 50 resorts.
Recommendations and Future Prospects
Despite the challenges and issues encountered, the speaker believes that the resort has the potential to become a top destination in the future. With improvements in service and management, the resort could provide a truly luxurious and unforgettable experience for its guests. The speaker invites viewers to subscribe and looks forward to seeing the resort’s progress and growth in the future.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury Resort | A high-end hotel or resort that offers luxurious amenities and services. | The Six Senses Southern Dunes resort in Saudi Arabia is a luxury resort with stunning views and eco-friendly features. |
| Eco-Friendly Solutions | Methods or technologies that reduce environmental harm and promote sustainability. | The resort uses eco-friendly solutions such as solar plants, recycling systems, and desalination plants to minimize its environmental impact. |
| Sustainable Destination | A tourist destination that prioritizes environmental sustainability and responsible tourism practices. | The Six Senses Southern Dunes resort is a sustainable destination that offers a unique and environmentally friendly experience for its guests. |
| Off-Grid Charging Network | A system that generates and stores energy independently, without relying on public utilities. | The resort has Saudi Arabia’s largest off-grid charging network, which powers its facilities and reduces its reliance on non-renewable energy sources. |
| Desalination Plant | A facility that removes salt and other minerals from seawater to produce fresh water. | The resort has a desalination plant that provides fresh water for its guests and facilities, reducing its reliance on external water sources. |
| Vision 2030 | A development plan launched by the Saudi Arabian government to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil exports. | Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program aims to attract 100 million annual visitors by 2030 and develop its tourism and renewable energy sectors. |
| Red Sea Project | A tourism development project located on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, which includes the construction of 22 islands and 50 resorts. | The Red Sea Project is a major component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program and aims to establish the country as a premier tourist destination. |
| Nikai Cuisine | A fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine, characterized by the use of bold flavors and exotic ingredients. | The Ikiro restaurant at the Six Senses Southern Dunes resort serves Nikai cuisine, offering a unique and flavorful dining experience for its guests. |
| Butler Service | A personalized service provided by a trained butler, who attends to the needs and preferences of hotel guests. | The resort offers butler service to its guests, providing a high level of personalized attention and care during their stay. |
Watch The Video
Vocabulary Quiz
1. Which word means ‘a person who takes care of guests and their needs in a hotel or resort’?
A) Butler
B) Chef
C) Manager
D) Tourist
2. What does ‘eco-friendly’ mean in the context of the resort’s design and features?
A) Using a lot of energy and resources
B) Harmful to the environment
C) Environmentally sustainable and responsible
D) Only using solar power
3. Which word means ‘a combination of different things, such as foods or styles’?
A) Fusion
B) Separation
C) Combination
D) Isolation
4. What does ‘off-grid’ mean in the context of the resort’s charging network?
A) Connected to the main power grid
B) Using a lot of energy from the main grid
C) Not connected to the main power grid and generating its own energy
D) Only using energy at night
5. Which word means ‘a plan or program for the future, especially one that is ambitious or large-scale’?
A) Vision
B) Goal
C) Project
D) Dream
Answer Key:
1. A
2. C
3. A
4. C
5. A
Grammar Focus
Grammar Focus: Using the Present Perfect Continuous Tense to Describe Ongoing Situations
Grammar Quiz:
1. The speaker ____________________ for their flight when they received an update on the departure time.
- a) waits
- b) has been waiting
- c) was waiting
- d) had waited
2. By 2023, Saudi Arabia ____________________ its goal of attracting 100 million annual visitors.
- a) attracts
- b) has attracted
- c) had attracted
- d) is attracting
3. The resort staff ____________________ to the writer’s concerns and offered a kind gesture.
- a) listen
- b) have been listening
- c) had listened
- d) were listening
4. The speaker ____________________ several restaurants during their stay at the resort.
- a) tries
- b) has tried
- c) had tried
- d) was trying
5. The resort ____________________ eco-friendly solutions, including a solar plant and recycling system, since its opening.
- a) uses
- b) has been using
- c) used
- d) had used
Answer Key:
1. c) was waiting
2. c) had attracted
3. c) had listened
4. b) has tried
5. b) has been using