Inside Saudi Arabia’s latest egomaniacal plan with 250-room hotel built over a LAGOON with world’s biggest infinity pool
SAUDI Arabia has just announced their latest plans for the futuristic city of NEOM - a 250 room luxury resort complete with the world's biggest infinity pool.
Treyam, the latest NEOM megalomaniac project, promises to challenge architectural norms with an innovative design that creates a sunset-like illusion from afar.
Saudi's latest mind-bending concept is set to be located over a lagoon on the south of the Gulf of Aqaba - a premier resort that the developers are calling an elevated haven.
Designed to be just a handful of metres above the sea, NEOM's board of directors have claimed that guests will feel like they are floating.
An announcement from NEOM describes it as: "Strategically located across the opening of one of the most beautiful, azure lagoons at the southern end of the Gulf of Aqaba, Treyam stands as a luxury gateway inviting guests to experiment with active lifestyles.
"Its striking bridge-like architecture connects the northern and southern shores, hosting a 250-room luxury resort.
"From this elevated vantage point 36 meters above the sea, guests are treated to an awe-inspiring experience, seemingly floating, with a breath-taking panoramic view of the lagoon, the vibrant corals and the tranquil, uninterrupted waters extending to the horizon."
The resort promises to combine luxury with adventure, offering a variety of sports and activities - including sailing, diving, and other water sports.
There will also be plenty of land-based activities for guests to partake in, with spa treatments and fine dining options.
Treyam is just one of the many ambitious projects in Saudi Arabia as the kingdom is spending $1trillion as it seeks to ditch its reliance on oil.
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Through massive investments as part of Saudi Arabia Vision 2030, the nation has been unveiling wildly ambitious projects funded by oil billions at an unprecedented rate.
In line with the megalomania vision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi is desperate to be the centre of the world.
The price of each individual project is not yet known - but Saudi is expected to spend a $175billion every year on mega projects between 2025 and 2028.
But beneath the glitzy facade lies a story of threats, forced evictions and bloodshed.
Many projects have faced fierce criticism over human rights abuses - including the $500billion Neom project where tribes were shoved out of their homeland, imprisoned or executed.
At least 20,000 members of the Huwaitat tribe face eviction, with no information about where they will live in the future.
Alya al-Huwaiti, a UK-based activist who is a member of the tribe, said she has been told drones are being flown regularly over Tabuk province.
Tribespeople believe their mobile phone and social media accounts are closely monitored.
Authorities in the port city of Jeddah also demolished many houses to implement Saudi's development plans - with thousands of locals evicted illegally.
One campaigner claimed "Neom is built on Saudi blood".
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Jeed Basyouni, Middle East director of the human rights organisation Reprieve, said: "We have seen, time and again, that anyone who disagrees with the crown prince, or gets in his way, risks being sentenced to jail or to death."
One person has already been killed for resisting the project, while others are set to be executed and some have been handed long prison sentences.
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- People from the Huwaitat tribe were forcefully evicted from their homes
- Some members of the tribe were bribed to disown those that had resisted eviction
- Abdul Rahim was murdered by Saudi authorities for refusing to leave his home
- Video footage showed authorities using force against residents in al-Khuraiba village
- As it is being built on the coast of the Red Sea, it is thought to be detrimental to aquatic ecosystems
- Water conditions have already been compromised
- Other residents have also complained of water and electricity being cut
- There have been reports of Saudi authorities deploying surveillance drones above residences