Situated in Saudi Arabia, Duqm Beach in Umluj is a stunning coastal destination best known for its pristine waters and tranquil atmosphere. Hailed a recreational oasis, the beach’s expansive white sands are populated with comfortable seating, shelter, designated spaces for sports, and a picturesque walking route overlooking the red sea. The luxurious Waves Hotel is the ideal location for wanting to explore this beautiful beach, with direct access to its shore. We caught up with Ussama El Shair below, General Manager of Waves Hotel, as the establishment is named in LUXlife magazine’s Leaders in Luxury Awards 2025.
Founded in 2022, Waves Hotel is a beachfront accommodation on a mission to redefine luxury hospitality by delivering unparalleled experiences designed to meet and exceed guest expectations. The very foundation of the hotel has been built upon the core values of excellence, integrity, attention to detail, and a commitment to sustainability. These values have been deeply integrated into its culture and operations, creating a team environment dedicated to providing exceptional services and unforgettable experiences.
Located to the north of Umluj City, Waves Hotel is built upon an impressive 7,331m² land. This expanse comprises stunning landscaping, parking space for 100 cars, and its main building. The main building holds six floors, with its ground floor featuring a coffee shop, main dining restaurant, terrace, pool, and direct access to Duqm Beach. Its first floor, the Mezzanine Floor hosts four banquet and event halls and executive meeting rooms; four repeated floors feature 152 rooms consisting of eight suites, 52 premier sea-view rooms, 40 deluxe sea-view rooms, and 52 standard mountain-view rooms; and its final floor, the Roof Top, hosts a state-of-the-art Health Club.
Whilst Waves Hotel boasts a number of top-tier amenities, what distinctly makes the establishment stand apart in the hospitality industry is its unwavering dedication to delivering personalised services and its holistic approach to guest satisfaction. Ussama told us: “We take great pride in crafting unique experiences that are tailored to individual guest preferences, ensuring they truly feel at home while surrounded by luxury.”
One such example of this commitment is Waves Hotel’s outstanding offering of a tailormade concierge experience. This service is designed to cater to its guests’ every wish, from providing personalised tours to securing exclusive dining reservations. This service relentlessly drives the hotel’s dedication to creating unforgettable memories and has been widely praised by guests for the exceptional levels of attention and care provided.
Ayesha said: “Firstly, a big thank you to the service team at Waves Hotel. We felt very well taken care of as soon as we entered the hotel, to the moment we left. They made our special day even more memorable because of their care. Secondly, everything was clean, room service was fast, the gym was good, and the food was nice. We will come back again and recommend Waves Hotel to our friends and family. Thank you, again.”
While Zainab stated: “I recently had the pleasure of staying at Waves Hotel, and it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish! From the moment I arrived, the staff were incredibly welcoming and attentive, making sure that every detail of my stay was taken care of. The rooms are spacious, immaculately clean, and offer breathtaking views of the Red Sea. Overall, Waves Hotel has exceeded my expectations in every way. It’s not just a place to stay, but an experience in itself. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a peaceful, luxurious, and unforgettable retreat in Umluj!”
Finally, Sarah wrote: “This is one of the best hotels that I have stayed in. The rooms were very spacious, and the bed was very comfortable. The colours and interior design were wow! The restaurant was great and the food delicious, with very good value for money. What made it an exceptional stay were the staff; from the moment I arrived until I left, they made me feel at home – very welcoming, polite, friendly, and helpful. There is also a beautiful pool, and the hotel is right on the beach. If you’re looking for a calm and peaceful place, then Waves Hotel is your best choice.”
From its countless five-star testimonials, it is clear that Waves Hotel has quickly established itself to be a leader in the luxury market. To ensure that it retains its luxury status, Waves Hotel focuses on continuous training for its entire team, regular quality control measures, and delivering personalised services. Alongside routinely reviewing guest feedback, the hotel also invests in unique, high-end amenities and exclusive experiences with the aim of enhancing the overall guest journey and nurturing a culture where excellence is expected. With this in mind, we asked Ussama what exactly luxury means to the General Manager of Waves Hotel.
“My perspective of luxury is beautifully articulated – it transcends materialism and elevates the intangible elements that create meaningful, memorable moments,” he said. “By focusing on anticipatory service, emotional connection, craftsmanship and detail, discretion, and exclusivity through personalisation, you are embracing a philosophy where true luxury lies in emotional resonance rather than mere opulence. Waves Hotel operates with the mantra: ‘Luxury is where every interaction feels like a whispered secret between the guest and the experience – irreplicable, intimate, and designed solely for them.’”
Keeping a close eye on the luxury sector enables Waves Hotel to successfully remain at the forefront of emerging developments. The hotel has recently observed a significant shift towards sustainability and experiential offerings, with guests increasingly seeking eco-friendly practices and authentic local experiences. By embracing this shift, Waves Hotel has not only elevated its standards but has also been able to connect more genuinely with guests, thereby enhancing brand loyalty and engagement.
Looking forward, Waves Hotel aims to continue its momentum and build upon its recent successes. Named the Tabuk Region’s Most Luxurious Coastal Hotel 2025, the hotel plans to attract more and more international guests to the beauty of Saudi Arabia. Through the integration of technology, it will innovate and enhance personalised guest interactions using data analytics and artificial intelligence. With this, Waves Hotel hopes to establish a seamless and luxurious guest experience that anticipates and caters to guest preferences whilst maintaining its unique services.
Alongside these interaction advancements, Waves Hotel has a number of other exciting projects in the pipeline. This will include a complete refurbishment of its guest suites to incorporate further advanced technologies, whilst preserving the essence of luxury for which it has become renowned. These developments will further position Waves Hotel as a significant player in the luxury market, continually operating one step ahead of its competitors.
The rapid evolution of this sector makes it particularly difficult to break into, but Ussama shared the following advice with us: “My advice to anyone wishing to work in the luxury sector is to build a genuine passion for hospitality. Develop strong interpersonal skills, remain adaptable, and always strive for excellence. Understand that every detail matters, and that success hinges on creating meaningful connections with guests. I chose to work in the luxury hospitality sector because it’s where excellence meets emotion – where service becomes an art form, and the smallest details can create lifelong memories.”
Contact Details
Contact: Ussama El Shair
Company: Waves Hotel Umluj
Web Address: https://wavesumlujhotel.com
