Mantis Collection Opens Gamra Mountain Resort in Al Baha

Gamra Mountain Resort by Mantis has opened on Khairah Mountain in Al Baha, marking the Saudi Arabian debut of Mantis Collection, Accor's community and conservation-focused hospitality brand. Set at approximately 2,260 metres above sea level, the resort is positioned as an introduction to the wider Al Baha region.

Known as the Garden of the Hijaz, the region is marked by cooler mountain temperatures, more than 100 forests, terraced farmland and orchards producing apricots and pomegranates, a landscape distinct from much of the rest of the Kingdom.

Spanning approximately 22,000 square metres, Gamra comprises 30 tented Mountain Suites, each positioned for privacy, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the surrounding mountains. A soon-to-open Adventure Park will add 14 indoor and outdoor attractions, extending the resort's approach to wellbeing beyond traditional spa-based models under a framework the brand calls the Mantis Estate of Be-ING, built around movement, exploration and cultural immersion for a range of ages.

"As tourism continues to evolve across the Kingdom, we are seeing growing demand for destinations that allow travelers to connect more deeply with nature, culture and local communities," Craig Erasmus, chief executive of Mantis Collection, told SceneTraveller. "Al Baha's temperate climate, mountain landscapes and rich heritage are unlike anywhere else in Saudi Arabia. For Mantis, this is also an important milestone as our first property in Saudi Arabia."

The resort was developed by the Saudi Tourism Investment Company (ASFAR), a wholly owned Public Investment Fund company, and handed to Mantis for operation, part of ASFAR's wider work to shape Al Baha into a tourism destination built around its natural, cultural and agricultural character.

"Al Baha's exceptional natural landscape, authentic cultural heritage, and established tourism base provide a strong foundation for investment in distinctive tourism offerings," said Eng. Mishari bin Abdullah Al-Nahari, chief executive of ASFAR. "Gamra Mountain Resort by Mantis reflects this potential by bringing together the character of the destination, a high-quality tourism product, and Mantis' specialised operational expertise."

Cultural programming includes traditional food preparation, storytelling, local craftsmanship, mountain exploration and birdwatching, tied to the region's history of stone settlements, watchtowers, agricultural terraces and traditional water-management systems. Dining centres on two concepts, Jamra and Hala, drawing on live-fire cooking and Mediterranean and Arabic cuisine, with ingredients including pomegranates, Shadawi coffee and Al Baha's mountain honey, connected to the region's longstanding beekeeping traditions.

Beyond the resort itself, nearby attractions include Raghadan Forest, Khairah Forest, Baljurashi National Park, Al Hamda Waterfall and Bakhroush bin Allaas Castle, alongside stone villages, watchtowers and historic mosques across the wider province.

The resort is reached via King Saud Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Al Baha, roughly 90 minutes by air from Riyadh and an hour from Jeddah, followed by a 55-minute road transfer to the property. Road access from Jeddah and Makkah takes approximately four hours, and around ten hours from Riyadh.