Kerten Hospitality has launched Dar Tantora The House Hotel in AlUla’s Old Town, a hotel that has combined the ancient wisdom of the land with the luxurious comforts of modern hospitality.

The hotel, that is located 35 km from AlUla International Airport, opened its doors on January 21, and is a gateway to the region’s historical and artistic wonders.

Dar Tantora The House Hotel is set to be a flagship property for Kerten’s sustainable hospitality strategy. The hotel’s earthen architecture, inspired by AlUla’s Old Town, preserves the ancient aesthetic and building techniques that are of deep historical significance to the families that originally built and lived in Old Town.

Crafted through the meticulous restoration of the mud brick buildings, Dar Tantora The House Hotel draws its name from the traditional sundial, “tantora”, which has historically served as a timekeeper for the local community, especially farmers through the seasons – symbolising the hotel’s deep connection to the region’s rich heritage, agricultural practices and reverence for the timeless traditions.

“Dar Tantora The House Hotel is more than just a place to stay; it’s an invitation to experience AlUla’s vibrant history and embrace its timeless culture and heritage,” states Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality.

“Our passionate team has dedicated themselves to creating an experience that captures the essence of this unique community. This project is a pivotal part of our global expansion, reflecting Kerten Hospitality’s commitment to bringing unique, culturally-rich experiences to diverse destinations around the world.”

Waleed Al Dayel, Chief Strategy and Digital Office at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said: “Sustainable regeneration is fundamental to our vision for AlUla Old Town, as we conserve and enhance its heritage for the benefit of the community and to provide an authentic experience for our visitors.

“Dar Tantora The House Hotel embodies this vision, now standing as a tribute to innovation in hospitality that is grounded in AlUla’s past.”

The House Hotel aspires to be AlUla’s premier low-impact hotel, offering an immersive experience that forges deep connections between guests, locals, without disturbing the rich cultural tapestry and natural heritage of the area, a statement said.

Preserving and celebrating AlUla’s natural heritage, Dar Tantora The House Hotel has sustainability at its heart, following Kerten Hospitality’s ESG philosophy, UBBU which stands for ‘United. Building a Better Universe.’

UBBU’s underlying approach is locality, reflected in a natural approach to the local environment, community involvement and activation.

Additionally, the property is advancing Kerten’s sustainability mission through energy saving, automated food waste and water management solutions.

Art and Culture

Dar Tantora The House Hotel will develop an art project in partnership with The Royal Commission of AlUla aligned with Kerten Hospitality’s mission to engage local artists in every destination that the company operates in, and complementing AlUla’s distinct artistic heritage.

Traditional decorative elements, furniture and artworks aim to encapsulate AlUla’s rich cultural heritage, in addition to room amenities designed by Madrasat Addeera, AlUla’s pioneering school dedicated to fostering artisanal skills and craft programmes of the region.

Bespoke Cultural Experiences

Guests of the 30-room hotel will be treated to daily cultural activities such as fresh bread making, Saudi coffee making sessions, and weekly and monthly local traditions like ancient games and artisanal craft making.

Each session and activity will be led by local artisans, craftsmen. Additionally, the hotel’s teams can create bespoke tours and curated experiences led by local guides called ‘Rawis’.

Dar Tantora also features a unique infinity pool with exclusive oasis views, wellness treatments at the spa that make use of ingredients grown in AlUla, and locally inspired culinary experiences crafted by Michelin-starred Chef Jaume Puigdengolas. – TradeArabia News Service