The David Kempinski (Architectural Digest)
We are delighted to share some exciting news: the pages of Architectural Digest have showcased our most recent project at the David Kempinski Hotel in Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Projects
- 2026
28 January 2025, Yanbu, Saudi Arabia: Kempinski Hotels today inaugurated Kempinski Hotel & Resort Sariya Yanbu Red Sea, marking its second property in the Kingdom and the first five-star luxury resort in Yanbu.
Sited on Al Mahar Island within the Royal Commission, the resort offers 118 rooms and suites, many overlooking the lagoon, with some offering full sea views. Guests gain access to pristine beaches, infinity pools, a marina, spa, and expansive meeting and event spaces, anchoring Kempinski’s ambition in the region.
In announcing the opening, Dirk Bansemer, General Manager, stated:
“The opening of Kempinski Hotel and Resort Sariya is a momentous occasion. Opening our doors in Yanbu, The Pearl of the Red Sea, marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for both Kempinski and the city itself. … We are honoured to contribute to Yanbu’s growth as a premier destination while aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to highlight its natural beauty and cultural legacy on the world stage.”
Reimagined by studio ara, the resort’s interiors draw from the character of the Red Sea. The palette moves between soft sand tones and shifting shades of blue, with brass details that glint like sunlight on water.
Working closely with local artisans, studio ara has managed to translate the region’s defining characteristics into tangible details. Hand-carved screens, textured panels, and bespoke brass fixtures add warmth and tactility, grounding the refined interiors in local craftsmanship.
The All-Day Dining restaurant was designed as an inviting, open space where guests can connect and observe the energy of a live kitchen. Tall arched screens provide structure and rhythm, while a central water feature reflects light and movement, reinforcing the coastal atmosphere.
In contrast, the Royal Suite leans into contemporary glamour with layering plush fabrics, polished stone, and soft lighting to create a retreat that feels sophisticated, luxurious, and above all, comfortable.
As Kempinski’s second footprint in Saudi Arabia, Kempinski Sariya Yanbu reinforces the brand’s commitment to luxury growth in the Kingdom. Yanbu itself, dubbed the “Pearl of the Red Sea,” carries a legacy of maritime trade, coral reefs, and 2,500 years of history.
The resort is also well placed geographically: it lies approximately 20 minutes from Yanbu International Airport, and is within reach of historic and coastal attractions in the region.
At studio ara, the Yanbu project reflects a design philosophy that prizes places as living narratives rather than static displays. In Yanbu, that story is now manifest: a coastal city long associated with trade and heritage reinterpreted for contemporary hospitality.
