Saudi Arabia’s Overwater Villas Look Fake… But They’re Real!

Video Description

Book a consulting call with me. Real Estate mistakes are expensive. 🔗https://calendly.com/arvinhaddad/retainer If you wish to have early access to the AI forecasting tool visit: 🔗 https://www.zipsmart.ai/ 🔔 Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ArvinHaddadOfficial 🔔Original Video by Kara and Nate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcQirGief28 When I first saw Kara and Nate’s video on Saudi Arabia’s newest overwater villas, I honestly thought it was AI-generated. The futuristic design, the sleek architecture, and the way the villas float over the crystal-clear waters—it all looks like something straight out of a CGI render. But this is 100% real, and in today’s reaction, I’m breaking down everything Kara and Nate showed, from the insane luxury features to the things that might not be as perfect as they seem. Overwater villas have long been associated with places like the Maldives, Bora Bora, and the Caribbean, but now, Saudi Arabia is making a bold entrance into the world of floating luxury resorts. While watching Kara and Nate explore this property, I couldn’t help but compare it to the iconic Soneva Jani in the Maldives, where each villa comes with a retractable roof for stargazing. Or Gili Lankanfushi, where guests enjoy their own private lagoon with nothing but ocean views in every direction. These places have set the gold standard for overwater luxury, and I wanted to see how this new resort stacks up. One thing that stood out in Kara and Nate’s video was the sheer scale of the resort. It reminded me of Four Seasons Bora Bora, where every villa offers direct access to the turquoise waters. But while Bora Bora’s overwater bungalows are designed to blend with the natural surroundings, this Saudi Arabian resort has a much more modern, almost sci-fi aesthetic. It feels more like something you’d expect from The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, with its ultra-contemporary design, rather than the rustic luxury of Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts. The resort's attention to detail is undeniable. As Kara and Nate walked through the villa, I noticed elements that reminded me of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, where every corner is designed for the ultimate relaxation experience. But is it too futuristic? Some people love the natural wood-and-thatch vibe of places like Song Saa Private Island in Cambodia or Pangkor Laut Resort in Malaysia, where the focus is on blending into the environment rather than standing out. Saudi Arabia’s take on the overwater villa concept is completely different—it feels more in line with something like Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, which embraces opulence and grandeur over a natural, tropical feel. What’s fascinating is that while watching Kara and Nate’s tour, I kept thinking about the other new overwater experiences popping up around the world. In Belize, places like Cayo Espanto and Thatch Caye Resort offer secluded villas where you can feel completely off-grid, which is a stark contrast to this high-tech Saudi development. Even in the Caribbean, resorts like Sandals Royal Caribbean in Jamaica and Palafitos – Overwater Bungalows at El Dorado Maroma in Mexico have been bringing this luxury experience to more accessible destinations. As Kara and Nate explored the outdoor deck, I started wondering how this resort would compare to the truly exclusive retreats like Bawah Reserve in Indonesia or The Datai Langkawi in Malaysia, where nature is the main attraction. Here, the design and human-made beauty are the selling points, which makes it more similar to the approach of Rosewood Mayakoba in Mexico or Hotel Palafitte in Switzerland, the only overwater hotel in Europe. There’s no doubt that Saudi Arabia’s floating villas are stunning. But as I break down in my reaction, are they truly setting a new standard, or are they just another high-priced, Instagram-friendly destination? Kara and Nate did a great job showcasing the best parts of this place, but as always, I’m here to dive into both the positives and the negatives. What do you think—does this resort deserve to be mentioned alongside legends like The St. Regis Bora Bora and Gili Lankanfushi, or is it all just an expensive flex? Would you rather stay somewhere classic like InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, or do you prefer the ultra-modern, high-tech vibes of this new Saudi Arabian villa? Let me know in the comments! 🔷****𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻**** 🔗https://calendly.com/arvinhaddad/retainer 🛑 [It's important to note that the content of Arvin’s videos is solely his personal opinion and they are made for entertainment and educational purposes. His brokerage or video sponsors do not necessarily share his opinions. Property analysis is subjective in nature thus Arvin does not guarantee the accuracy of the information presented in his videos, please see the properties in person, review the information available online and contact the city to help you form your own independent decisions.]