The House Hotel in AlUla

Kerten Hospitality has recently inaugurated Dar Tantora The House Hotel, a distinctive lodging establishment in the Old Town of AlUla, designed to celebrate the area's rich cultural heritage. The hotel, which opened its doors on January 21, is situated 35 kilometers from AlUla International Airport, serving as a convenient portal to the historical and artistic treasures of AlUla's Old Town. Echoing the traditional architectural style of the region, Dar Tantora The House Hotel is constructed with the same ancient materials and methods used in the area's restored mud brick buildings, offering guests an authentic immersion into AlUla's heritage.

The hotel's name, Dar Tantora The House Hotel, is inspired by the local traditional sundial, 'tantora', a historical timekeeping tool for the community. This name reflects the hotel's profound connection to the area's heritage, symbolizing respect for the age-old traditions and agricultural practices that have shaped AlUla. The Tantora, essential for guiding local farmers through the seasons, represents the hotel's dedication to merging the region's ancient wisdom with modern luxury hospitality. Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality, emphasized that Dar Tantora The House Hotel is more than a lodging facility; it is an invitation to delve into AlUla's rich history and culture.

Waleed Al Dayel, Chief Strategy and Digital Officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla, highlighted the hotel's role in sustainable regeneration, aligning with their vision for AlUla Old Town. The hotel stands as a testament to innovative hospitality that respects and draws inspiration from AlUla's historical background.

The 30-room property offers various daily cultural activities, including bread and Saudi coffee-making sessions, along with weekly and monthly local traditions like ancient games and artisanal craft making, all conducted by local artisans. The hotel also provides tours and experiences led by local 'Rawis' guides, fostering discovery, learning, and memory-making. Key features of Dar Tantora include an infinity pool overlooking an oasis, a spa offering wellness treatments with local ingredients, and a culinary experience by chef Jaume Puigdengolas. Committed to sustainability, the hotel aims to be a low-impact establishment, in line with Kerten Hospitality's ESG philosophy, UBBU (United. Building a Better Universe), focusing on local environmental approaches, community engagement, and activation.

The architecture of the hotel, influenced by AlUla's Old Town, aims to preserve the traditional aesthetic and building methods, significant to the families that originally inhabited the area. The hotel advances Kerten's sustainability goals through energy-saving, food waste automation, and water management solutions.

Furthermore, Dar Tantora The House Hotel is developing an art project in partnership with The Royal Commission of AlUla, consistent with Kerten Hospitality's objective of involving local artists in its destinations, thereby complementing AlUla's unique artistic heritage. The hotel's decor, including traditional decorative elements, furniture, artworks, and room amenities designed by Madrasat Addeera, AlUla's school for artisanal skills, aims to encapsulate the cultural heritage of AlUla.

Hotel website