Shebara is a 73-key hyper-luxury eco-resort located on Sheybarah Island within Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Archipelago. Developed by Red Sea Global, the resort is designed as a pioneering model of regenerative luxury, seamlessly blending world-class hospitality with deep environmental stewardship. Surrounded by one of the planet’s most pristine marine ecosystems—home to vibrant coral reefs, turtle nesting zones, mangroves, and desert flora—Shebara reflects the ambitions of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 while offering a fully off-grid, net-zero experience.
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Shebara Resort
Hospitality Architecture (Built)
Firm
Killa Design
Architect/Designer
Shaun Killa
Design Team
Shaun Killa
Location
Sheybarah Island
Country
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Photographer/Copyright
©Killa Design ©Red Sea Global
Website
https://www.killadesign.com/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/killadesign_/
Facebook
N/A
Whatsapp
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The brief called for a resort that would appeal to the world’s most discerning eco-luxury travellers while safeguarding and enhancing the island’s biodiversity. The result is a development that is as much a sanctuary for nature as it is for guests. Facilities include one- and two-bedroom overwater villas, as well as beach villas ranging from one to four bedrooms, complemented by a spa, world-class dining, a fitness centre, family and adult pools, and private beaches. A fully electric transport system supports movement across the island, ensuring zero-emission mobility, while dedicated butler services provide guests with a deeply personalised experience.
The resort’s architectural language draws inspiration from the island’s natural palette—crystalline waters, shifting sands, and infinite horizons. The overwater villas, crafted from marine-grade stainless steel, were inspired by the natural formation of pearls. Suspended above the sea like floating orbs, each villa reflects and refracts light, capturing the changing colours of the Red Sea and sky. On land, villas and jetties were positioned with millimetre precision to avoid ecological disruption. No seabed dredging or concrete foundations were used; instead, a steel piling system gently elevates structures above sensitive terrain and marine habitats.
Shebara is entirely powered by a solar microgrid, eliminating the need for diesel generators and dramatically reducing its carbon footprint. This renewable energy system supports not only the villas but also all back-of-house and hospitality functions, establishing Shebara as a fully self-sufficient, net-zero island. Potable water is produced through solar-powered desalination, while all wastewater is recycled on-site through closed-loop greywater systems and reused for landscape irrigation. Solid waste is separated, composted, or recycled, reinforcing the resort’s zero-waste philosophy. Every material was carefully selected for sustainability and longevity; the use of stainless steel ensures durability in the coastal climate while remaining highly recyclable, further reducing embodied carbon.
The resort is positioned just metres from a dramatic 30–40 metre reef drop-off, offering immediate access to some of the most vibrant diving and snorkelling opportunities in the Red Sea. More than simply protecting this marine sanctuary, Shebara actively contributes to its revival. Through Red Sea Global’s coral gardening initiative, the resort supports one of the world’s largest reef restoration programmes, with over 300 football fields’ worth of coral under regeneration.
Accessible only by seaplane or private boat, the journey to Shebara is an intentional act of disconnection. The remoteness creates a profound sense of isolation, where silence, nature, and elemental beauty prevail. For travellers, the experience is not just an escape but an immersion into something larger than themselves—a rare combination of privacy, renewal, and ecological harmony.
Shebara stands as both a luxury destination and a regenerative model for the future of island hospitality. It embodies a vision where architecture, nature, and technology converge to create an experience that is as sustainable as it is extraordinary.
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