Accommodation in AlUla: stay in one of 30 heritage Dars at Dar Tantora
Choose your Dar
Dar Tantora offers four Dar styles. Each one grows in space and privacy, from a cosy entry level room to a two bedroom family suite.
- Dar Al Luban (Cozy Dar): 9 rooms, 38 m²
- Dar Al Bukhour (Superior Dar): 13 rooms, 41 m², with a private lounge and tayara
- Dar Al Hareer (Deluxe Dar): 4 rooms, 60 m², with a lounge, tayara and private terrace
- Dar Al Oud (Family Dar): 4 rooms, 82 and 85 m², with two bedrooms and a terrace
Dar Al Luban, the Cozy Dar
Dar Al Luban is Dar Tantora’s entry level Dar and the most intimate way to experience the Old Town. Each of the 9 rooms measures 38 m² and is fitted with one king size bed, a private bathroom with a shower, bathrobes, a hairdryer and a portable fan.
Ideal for: solo travellers and couples who want an authentic, unfussy base in the heart of the Old Town, and who are happy to prioritise location and character over extra square metres.
Key features: individually decorated interiors built into original mud brick walls, heritage inspired furnishings, and the same personalised turndown ritual offered across the hotel.
Why choose it: Dar Al Luban puts you closer to the price point of a standard luxury room while still giving you a genuine heritage house, not a generic hotel room. It is the Dar most guests choose for a short, immersive first stay in AlUla.
Dar Al Bukhour, the Superior Dar
Dar Al Bukhour is Dar Tantora’s most popular category, with 13 rooms at 41 m². It adds a separate lounge area and a tayara, a shaded interior courtyard feature drawn from traditional AlUla home design, alongside the same one king size bed, private bathroom, bathrobes and portable fan found in every Dar.
Ideal for: couples who want extra room to relax between excursions, plus a little more space for slow mornings before a day exploring Hegra or the Old Town.
Key features: a defined sitting area separate from the bed, giving the room a suite-like feel without the price of the Deluxe or Family Dars.
Why choose it: if you plan to spend part of your stay unwinding on site, between the rooftop pool, the spa and the restaurant, the extra lounge space in Dar Al Bukhour earns its keep.
Dar Al Hareer, the Deluxe Dar
Dar Al Hareer steps up again to 60 m² across 4 rooms, combining a lounge, a tayara and a private terrace furnished with daybeds. It keeps the same one king size bed and private bathroom as the other categories, but the terrace is the real draw, giving you a quiet outdoor space within your own Dar.
Ideal for: couples celebrating an anniversary or honeymoon, and anyone who wants to watch AlUla’s sunset light over the Old Town without leaving their room.
Key features: the only category below the Family Dar with a dedicated private terrace, plus a larger lounge than Dar Al Bukhour.
Why choose it: for guests who want a genuinely elevated stay without booking a full two bedroom suite, Dar Al Hareer is Dar Tantora’s most romantic middle ground.
Dar Al Oud, the Family Dar
Dar Al Oud is the largest category, with 4 suites at 82 and 85 m². Each one is arranged across two bedrooms with its own terrace, making it the only Dar built for groups larger than two.
Ideal for: families and small groups of friends travelling together, or anyone who simply wants more room to spread out during a longer AlUla stay.
Key features: two separate bedrooms sleeping up to four guests, a private terrace, and the same handcrafted, heritage led interior design found throughout the hotel.
Why choose it: with only 4 of these suites available across the entire property, Dar Al Oud is worth booking early for family trips, especially around AlUla’s festival season.
What is included in every stay
Wherever you stay at Dar Tantora, a few details are consistent across all 30 Dars.
- A welcome ceremony on arrival, with a cool towel, dates, freshly prepared Arabic coffee and a choice of incense burned in your room at turndown
- A record player and curated vinyl selection in every Dar, so you can set the mood for the evening
- Antique inspired fittings, from lantern style lighting to taps modelled on traditional AlUla design
- Locally handcrafted clay water jars, a heritage feature that keeps water naturally cool without relying on refrigeration
- Ceiling fans and portable fans rather than air conditioning, in keeping with the mud brick building’s natural cross ventilation and insulation
- Access to the rooftop pool, the meditation and yoga area, and in room massages using MZN spa products
- Dining at Joontos, led by a Michelin starred chef, plus in room dining through the Mirbad concept
This combination of heritage design and modern comfort is central to what makes Dar Tantora different from a standard AlUla hotel, and it applies equally whether you book Dar Al Luban or Dar Al Oud.
Comparing the four Dars at a glance
| Dar | Rooms | Size | Sleeps | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dar Al Luban (Cozy Dar) | 9 | 38 m² | 2 | Entry level heritage room |
| Dar Al Bukhour (Superior Dar) | 13 | 41 m² | 2 | Private lounge and tayara |
| Dar Al Hareer (Deluxe Dar) | 4 | 60 m² | 2 | Private terrace with daybeds |
| Dar Al Oud (Family Dar) | 4 | 82–85 m² | 4 | Two bedrooms for families |
Choosing the right Dar for your AlUla trip
If you are visiting AlUla as a couple on a shorter trip, Dar Al Luban or Dar Al Bukhour offer excellent value while keeping you close to the Old Town’s alleys and courtyards. For a honeymoon, anniversary or a stay built around slow evenings, Dar Al Hareer’s private terrace is worth the upgrade. Travelling with family or friends changes the equation entirely: Dar Al Oud is the only category with two separate bedrooms, so it is the natural choice whenever your group is larger than two.
Whichever Dar you choose, book directly through the Dar Tantora booking engine to confirm availability for your dates, since room counts in each category are limited.
Staying in AlUla's Old Town
Dar Tantora’s location inside the heritage of AlUla’s Old Town is as much a part of the accommodation experience as the Dars themselves. You are steps from the labyrinth of restored mud brick streets, within easy reach of the AlUla Oasis, and a short drive from Hegra and the wider Sharaan Nature Reserve, home to AlUla activities such as the Hidden Valley hike and the AlUla stairway. Guests exploring the wider region often build a stay around things to do in AlUla, from rock climbing to stargazing in the desert, before returning to the Old Town each evening.
For travellers still planning their route, our AlUla travel tips cover getting to and around the city, while our festivals and events page is worth checking before you book, since availability tightens considerably during AlUla’s major seasonal events. If you are exploring more of the country, discover the cities to visit in saudi arabia and combine AlUla with other remarkable destinations across the Kingdom.
Sustainability built into every Dar
Dar Tantora’s approach to sustainability shapes the accommodation itself, not just a separate initiative. Candlelight and oil lamps reduce energy use, natural mud brick construction insulates each Dar without mechanical cooling, and in room amenities avoid single use plastic. Combined with locally sourced materials and support for AlUla’s artisans, it is one of the reasons Dar Tantora reads as a genuinely eco conscious heritage hotel rather than a luxury property with sustainability added as an afterthought.
Book your stay
With only 30 Dars across the four categories, and just 4 suites in Dar Al Oud, availability at Dar Tantora moves quickly, particularly around AlUla’s festival calendar. Compare the Dars above, choose the one that fits your trip, and check live rates and dates to secure your stay in AlUla’s Old Town.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dar is best for couples?
Dar Al Bukhour is the most popular choice for couples, thanks to its private lounge and extra breathing room. Couples looking for something more romantic, such as a honeymoon or anniversary stay, tend to prefer Dar Al Hareer for its private terrace and daybeds.
Which accommodation is suitable for families?
Dar Al Oud is the only category built for more than two guests. Its two bedrooms and private terrace make it the right choice for families or small groups travelling together in AlUla.
What amenities are included in every Dar?
Every Dar includes a welcome ceremony, a record player with a curated vinyl selection, antique inspired fittings, a private bathroom with bathrobes and a hairdryer, and access to the rooftop pool, wellness area and Joontos restaurant.
Does Dar Tantora have air conditioning?
No. Dar Tantora relies on ceiling fans, portable fans and the natural cross ventilation of its mud brick construction rather than air conditioning, in keeping with the building’s traditional design and its approach to sustainability.
Which room offers the best views?
Dar Al Hareer and Dar Al Oud both include a private terrace, making them the best options for guests who want outdoor space and views over the Old Town from their own room.
How do I choose the right Dar for my stay?
Start with your group size and how much time you plan to spend in your room. Solo travellers and short stay couples are well suited to Dar Al Luban or Dar Al Bukhour, couples wanting more privacy should look at Dar Al Hareer, and families need Dar Al Oud.
What is included in a stay at Dar Tantora?
Every stay includes the welcome ceremony, in room amenities described above, and access to the hotel’s shared spaces, including the rooftop pool, spa treatments, meditation and yoga area, and dining at Joontos or through the in room Mirbad concept.
Is Dar Tantora a good base for visiting Hegra and the wider AlUla region?
Yes. Dar Tantora sits inside AlUla’s Old Town, within easy reach of the AlUla Oasis, and a short drive from Hegra and the Sharaan Nature Reserve, making it a practical base for both heritage sites and outdoor activities.
Experience highlights
Immerse yourself in nature with this 4km hike through the Hidden Valley within the Sharaan Nature Reserve.
Take your adventure to the next level with rock climbing on the spectacular rocks of AlUla.
Take a leap on the Giant Swing in AlUla swinging over 85 metres above the ground into a 70-metre arc in a stunning canyon.
The first of its kind in the region, the AlUla Stairway takes you up a 45-metre ladder with a zipline back down.