In an interview we published about a year ago, Paul Jordaan, operations director of ENVI Lodges, told us about the characteristics of the project embodied by his firm. He said that the aim of the project was to “create meaningful, nature-centred accommodations that regenerate the environment, offer purpose-driven experiences and are transformative for our guests”. Well, according to the framework contracts that ENVI Lodges has just signed with Mansour Alsanooni Group and Afyaa Group respectively, the project is making great strides and getting closer to its goals.
Under the first agreement, ENVI Lodges agrees with Mansour Alsanooni Group to develop several eco-resorts with a total of 200 keys. This accommodation will be built on the basis of a prototype that the entrepreneur Alsanooni created. After seeing that “the prototype was a great success” in Riyadh, Alsanooni decided to collaborate with ENVI Lodges to “offer a memorable getaway in the heart of nature, with an innovative culinary offer and 5-star services”. As for the eco-lodge operator, ENVI Lodges, Alsanooni says it “fully shares my vision”, adding that his experience in managing such projects makes it “the ideal partner to help me achieve my goals”.
The first of these developments will take place on the outskirts of the capital, Riyadh, on an estate adjacent to Wadi Hanifah, and is scheduled to open in 2023. It will feature 50 cottages hidden among the palm trees available on site. A barbecue corner, a large “experiential” garden, an outdoor dining area, a space for arts and crafts activities, a wellness and meditation centre, and a private swimming pool are just some of the facilities it will have.
In contrast, with Afyaa Group, ENVI Lodges has agreed to develop a circuit of three eco-resorts in Al Ahsa. This is the largest governorate in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia, a city located in one of the world’s largest oases and one of the country’s main tourist destinations. Each hostel will offer a different experience, depending on its location in one of the different natural landscapes of Al Ahsa.
The first of these, which is expected to open in the first quarter of 2024, is located on a large date farm, and will consist of 25 “biophilic” cottages with private pools and a communal pool, a restaurant area, spa and bathing facilities, agricultural and wellness activities, etc. The first resort will be designed by Luxury Frontiers, “one of the most renowned and award-winning experiential design firms worldwide”. The second and third lodges, which ENVI Lodges will develop in a second phase for Afyaa Group, will offer completely different experiences. One of them will be oriented towards adventure tourism, while the other will revolve around family activities on the beach.
You can read our interview with ENVI Lodges COO Paul Jordaan, HERE.
