Neom’s Siranna: A Stunning ‘Lord of the Rings’ Inspired Hotel in Saudi Arabia

Neom Project: Siranna Hotel

A new tourism development project is announced in the Gulf of Aqaba. This project includes a hotel called Siranna, which is inspired by the famous film ‘Lord of the Rings‘.

Saudi Arabian leaders revealed plans for Siranna, a hexagonal pillar-shaped hotel. The hotel will feature 65 rooms and 35 private residential units.

According to The Mirror, access to the hotel will be exclusively via the sea. Fans of ‘Lord of the Rings’ may see similarities between Siranna and ‘The White City’, a destroyed location from Peter Jackson’s film. Siranna’s tall fortress structure resembles mountainside architecture.

A statement from NEOM describes Siranna as part of their commitment to creating sustainable spaces that support future living and creativity. The hotel will also offer luxury hospitality experiences.

In addition to its unique design, Siranna will have a beach club, a fitness center, and a spa. The hotel’s rocky features will blend seamlessly with the mountains, blurring the line between indoor and outdoor spaces. This environment aims to provide relaxation and escape.

The design comes from Woods Bagot, with surrounding landscapes showcasing steep rocky formations and nature trails. Although the exact cost of building the hotel remains unknown, the overall NEOM project is projected to cost between $1 trillion and $1.5 trillion, exceeding Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund, which is $925 billion as of July this year.

Initially, the NEOM project was estimated at $500 billion. Recently, significant cost increases occurred, and the project leader, Nadhmi al-Nasr, was removed from his position, raising concerns about the project’s future. NEOM stated that new leadership would ensure operational sustainability aligned with the project’s vision, but did not disclose reasons for the leadership change.

The NEOM initiative includes ten different areas, like Oxagon, an octagon-shaped port city; The Line, a futuristic linear city; and Sindalah, an island resort.

However, NEOM faces criticism, especially regarding human rights violations. The organization ALQST reported that three individuals were executed after being removed from the NEOM area. Reports suggest over 21,000 workers have died since the Saudi Vision 2030 project began in 2016. An October documentary titled ‘Kingdom Uncovered: Inside Saudi Arabia’ claimed that around 100,000 people have gone missing since the Vision 2030 plan was introduced.

Reuters noted that NEOM project leaders are under tight deadlines, but many plans are delayed or behind schedule. Earlier this year, UN human rights experts raised concerns about imminent executions.

In response, Saudi Arabia denied allegations of human rights violations. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who leads this ambitious project, has pledged to invest trillions to alter the country and improve Saudi Arabia’s global image.