Enveloped by the verdant farmlands of AlUla, Tarah Farmhouse unveils a heritage-inspired retreat in a glass structure that invites the outside in.
Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
Known for its archaeological sites and vast desert surroundings, AlUla has become a prominent fixture in Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning tourism sector. What most might not know, however, is that the ancient city is evolving into a flourishing hub for an equally vibrant agricultural tourism industry. Set across an area nestled amid mountains around 1,000km from the Saudi capital of Riyadh, the fertile oases and farmland of AlUla are now seeing the emergence of scenic boutique properties and hotels within its heart.
One such estate is Tarah, a family-owned renovated farmhouse that sits among the verdant fields of Wadi Sadr, or the Sadr Valley, an area that has provided life to AlUla’s residents, travelers, flora, and fauna for thousands of years. Hashim Abduallah Albalawi and his siblings embarked on the renovation of their farmhouse a few years ago, before the property officially opened its doors in late 2022.
Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
Deeply rooted in AlUla, and particularly in the Sadr Valley where Albalawi’s father first worked as a farmer, the family has lived in the area for more than 40 years. Although Albalawi and his siblings pursued diverse careers in AlUla, they’d always had a profound bond with the valley. “Hospitality is a relatively new venture for us. A year before establishing Tarah, we dipped our toes into this field by renovating a farmhouse in one of our properties,” he says. “This pilot project, Agmar, was envisioned as a dwelling harmonizing with the natural beauty of Sadr Valley. Initially, we offered it for short-term stays, but it was quickly leased for a year, marking our initial foray into this industry.”
Prior to its renovation, Tarah was a simple metallic structure amid the verdant fields of the farm. It was originally built with the intent to develop it along similar lines to Agmar, but the project was left incomplete for a period. “This pause was due in part to two of my brothers, the visionaries behind the concept, being abroad. The renovation process was further delayed when the Covid-19 pandemic brought everything to a standstill,” Albalawi explains. But as tourism in AlUla began to rebound post-pandemic, the family seized the opportunity to complete the Tarah farmhouse’s transformation, realizing their vision and opening the doors to Tarah to welcome guests for a rare blend of natural beauty and comfort.
Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
Tarah is designed to embrace the serenity of its surroundings. Amid agricultural farms, the one-bedroom, one-bath property features a main house spread over two floors. The ground floor welcomes guests into a minimalist living area that opens to a well-equipped kitchen and a unique dining table built around a tree. The upper floor houses a cozy bedroom, complete with a wardrobe and chest to add to the bohemian-style decor, with floor-to-ceiling windows bringing in an abundance of natural light.
Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
The bedroom leads out to an outdoor balcony furnished with seats in neutral tones, also seen across much of the property. In addition to the main living space, a separate office is designed for moments of solitude or work. The garden offers a picturesque seating area surrounded by native trees, while an outdoor dining table and hammock make for a relaxing retreat. At the heart of Tarah is the natural pool, fed by the farm’s own water to provide a refreshing and organic retreat for guests.
“The design of Tarah was inspired by the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of AlUla and the Sadr Valley,” Albalawi shares. “The concept was to blend traditional elements with modern comforts, ensuring that the farmhouse complements rather than competes with the natural landscape.”
Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
A collaborative effort, led by family friend and Saudi artist Khaled AlMolougy, the design not only incorporated elements from the Tarah farmhouse’s natural surroundings, but also included works and crafts from Saudi artists to bring a uniform identity to the space. The interiors are adorned with art and craftsmanship, including textiles, pottery, and artworks created by the community’s creatives.
“The use of local materials was central to this vision, resulting in a space that is both authentic to AlUla farms and comfortably modern,” says Albalawi. “For the art and decor at Tarah, we primarily relied on the skills and creativity of our own workers, under the guidance of our friend and artist Khaled AlMolougy. The process was akin to running a workshop, where a great deal of learning and skill development took place.”
Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
AlMolougy, who shared a deep understanding and appreciation of the region’s history and aesthetics, worked closely with the brothers on the interior design, bringing to life pieces such as the drop light in the living room made from palm tree parts, the standing light, the outside wall cover, the office design by rock and tree, and the upside-down fountain. “Our workers, who have been with us for many years, have gained significant experience and know-how in crafting unique pieces for the farmhouse. This approach allowed us to create a space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also imbued with a sense of personal touch and craftsmanship, reflecting the spirit of our vision for Tarah,” he adds. Just as important as the interior décor, the external spaces were equally thought through – from landscaping to incorporating indigenous plants and traditional agricultural practices, mirroring the natural flora of AlUla and its historical farming methods, to bringing an authentic experience through cultural activities and community engagement for its guests.
Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
“We offer a range of activities that allow guests to immerse themselves in the local culture, learning about the farming, trees and plants, or tasting some homemade food,” Albalawi says, adding that visitors can take part in seasonal fruit picking, hiking, and educational practices such as learning about farm operations, fruit processing, and exploring different types of trees and plants during their stay. “Tarah also actively engages with the local community, involving them in various aspects of the operations. This not only supports the local economy but also provides guests with an authentic experience of Saudi hospitality and culture.” In terms of dining, the farmhouse offers a homemade food and beverage experience, prepared by trusted local families with a focus on providing traditional options, some of which are made from the farm’s own products. This includes homemade jams, pickles, fresh dates, and an array of juices like mango, orange, and lemon, all made from fruits grown on the farm. Depending on the season, Tarah is also open for dining experiences such as afternoon tea, traditional farm breakfast, and barbecue dinners.
Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
“The reception, since opening Tarah, has been incredible and beyond our expectations,” Albalawi says. “We have received feedback from guests who have stayed at high-level resorts in AlUla, emphasizing that Tarah stands out from well-known brands due to its distinct farmhouse charm. In terms of occupancy, we have exceeded our targets.” Albalawi emphasizes, however, that the high quantity of guests was never an aim as it could compromise the quality of the offering. The business model instead focuses on exclusivity and experience rather than on high turnover. “This is reflected in our pricing, which is on the higher side due to the customized service and operational costs involved. Additionally, we have certain restrictions, such as not allowing young children and limiting the number of guests, even for dining experiences. These factors contribute to maintaining Tarah as a sought-after, premium destination,” Albalawi adds, while also recommending that guests who do choose to visit the Tarah farmhouse do so between November and the end of February to benefit from the cooler weather.
Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
For the future, the owners have plans to expand Tarah as an essential step for its growth and profitability and shift towards solar electricity to meet at least 50% of the property’s energy needs by the end of 2024. The team is also nearing the completion of a new development close to Tarah, focusing on agricultural tourism, with an additional farmhouse renovation in the pipeline with a similar design ethos, but distinct purpose. “This forthcoming venture aims to provide a bespoke farm experience, especially for individuals seeking to focus on specific personal or professional projects – customizable to the unique needs of our guests, it represents an evolution of the Tarah experience,” Albalawi reveals, adding, “We are excited about the unveiling of Hajna House, which promises to be a significant addition to our offerings.”
Originally published in the March 2024 issue of Vogue Arabia
