Openings
Opening 2028

Capella

Capella at Elanan, NEOM

Capella's first wellness resort, on NEOM's Gulf of Aqaba coast, with moon-phase programming.

Magna, Saudi Arabia

First look

Capella's second Saudi Arabian project is a different animal from its Riyadh hotel. Capella at Elanan sits in the Magna region of NEOM, on the Gulf of Aqaba coast, and is billed as the brand's first dedicated wellness resort, with 80 keys and what's described as moon-phase wellness programming. It was announced in 2024 and is grouped with Capella's 2028 pipeline, confirmed via the NEOM newsroom and Capella's own press.

This is distinct from Capella Diriyah, so the brand is effectively planting two very different flags in Saudi Arabia at once: a heritage city hotel in Riyadh and a coastal wellness resort in NEOM. The wellness angle is new ground for Capella, which is what makes it worth tracking. What we will be watching for is how much substance sits behind the moon-phase framing, and whether the Gulf of Aqaba setting and the wider NEOM build-out are ready when the resort is.

Not yet scored. We publish a Fat Score only once a hotel is open and real guests have stayed and written about it — this is a first look, not a verdict.

Open now

What you can book today

Capella at Elanan, NEOMis still under wraps. Here's what's already open and scored in our collection — more from Capella, and nearby in Saudi Arabia.

Capella Bangkok — Bangkok, Thailand
Fat Favorite

Capella

Capella Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand

Capella Bangkok has earned its status as the #1 hotel on the World's 50 Best list through a combination of flawless execution and genuine Thai warmth. This riverside sanctuary delivers the intimate, residential feel that Bill Bensley's design intended — just 101 rooms and villas scattered across lush gardens along the Chao Phraya. The service operates at an entirely different level: staff know your name, anticipate your preferences, and create those small moments that transform a stay into a memory. While the location requires commitment to shuttles or taxis for city exploration, that seclusion becomes an asset when you're poolside watching longtail boats drift past. The breakfast alone justifies the rates — a full à la carte menu plus exceptional pastries that guests return for even after checking out.

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Capella Ubud — Ubud, Indonesia
Fat Legend

Capella

Capella Ubud

Ubud, Indonesia

Bill Bensley's Capella Ubud is theatrical luxury at its finest—a tented camp where every canvas pavilion tells the story of a 19th-century European explorer, complete with copper bathtubs and saltwater pools carved into the Keliki Valley jungle. The service operates at an almost psychic level, with staff who remember your coffee preferences by day two and arrange doctors when needed. Yes, you're paying premium rates to sleep in what's technically a tent, but when that tent has museum-quality antiques and you're falling asleep to jungle symphonies, the magic justifies the expense. The only real weakness is accessibility—those romantic riverside tents require serious hiking, and the design prioritizes atmosphere over practical conveniences like proper lighting controls.

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From the desk

Get the first-look verdict

We publish our verdict the week Capella at Elanan, NEOM opens. Get it in the monthly note, before the rest of the internet catches up.

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