AlUla, Saudi Arabia: Dar Tantora The House Hotel, the heritage-led property by Kerten Hospitality in AlUla Old Town, has been awarded One MICHELIN Key in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection. The recognition highlights the property’s distinctive hospitality, thoughtful design, individual character and overall guest experience.
For Kerten Hospitality, the award represents more than an international accolade for one hotel. It reflects the group’s broader approach to hospitality, built around cultural identity, community engagement, creativity, wellbeing and meaningful human connections.
Dar Tantora Brings AlUla’s Heritage into Modern Hospitality
Located in the heart of AlUla Old Town, Dar Tantora The House Hotel combines heritage architecture with contemporary hospitality and local cultural experiences. The property features 30 restored mudbrick Dars, bringing historic structures into a hospitality setting while maintaining a strong connection to the destination’s character.
Its approach places the surrounding community and cultural heritage at the centre of the guest experience. Through its art programme, culinary offerings, collaborations and engagement with local artisans, Dar Tantora reflects the idea that a destination should shape a hotel’s identity rather than simply provide its backdrop.
This philosophy gives the property a distinct position within AlUla’s hospitality landscape, where local stories, architecture and creative expression contribute to the overall experience.
Kerten Hospitality’s Approach to Place-Led Experiences
Kerten Hospitality operates a growing portfolio of hotels, residences, restaurants and lifestyle concepts across the Middle East, Europe and other markets. Its approach focuses on creating hospitality experiences that respond to their surroundings instead of repeating the same concept across different destinations.
The group’s philosophy centres on creating distinctive experiences through local stories, people, creativity and contemporary service. Its principle of delivering bespoke hospitality at scale aims to preserve the individuality of each property while maintaining a broader commitment to thoughtful guest engagement.
Dar Tantora The House Hotel illustrates this approach by bringing together restored heritage buildings, local culture and modern hospitality within a living historic destination.
The MICHELIN Key recognition reinforces the property’s identity as a hotel where design and service are closely connected to the character of its location.
Joontos Restaurant Earned a Bib Gourmand Distinction
Dar Tantora’s culinary offering also has a place in the MICHELIN Guide. Its signature restaurant, Joontos, received the Bib Gourmand distinction in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide.
The restaurant is recognised for cuisine that combines Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences, including Spanish elements, while using local ingredients sourced directly from the AlUla oasis.
Its approach connects the dining experience with the surrounding landscape and regional produce, complementing the hotel’s wider emphasis on local culture and a strong sense of place.
The restaurant’s recognition adds another dimension to Dar Tantora’s hospitality offering, bringing together accommodation, architecture and food through experiences connected to the destination.
A Recognition of Culture, Community and Connection
Commenting on the award, Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality, said the MICHELIN Key was meaningful because it reflected what the group was building across its portfolio.
Knippenberg said the company did not aim to replicate beautiful hotels in different destinations. Instead, its approach focused on understanding and acknowledging each place through authentic, sustainable and meaningful guest engagement, supported by thoughtful storytelling.
She added that the group’s ambition was to create hospitality with a distinct identity, giving guests a reason to connect with a destination while contributing something valuable to the communities and creative ecosystems around it.
For Dar Tantora The House Hotel, this philosophy is reflected in its restored mudbrick architecture, cultural programming, culinary experiences and relationships with local artisans.
Dar Tantora Strengthens AlUla’s Distinctive Hospitality Offering
The One MICHELIN Key recognition places Dar Tantora The House Hotel among the properties recognised in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection. It also draws attention to a style of hospitality that connects the guest experience with local identity, heritage and community.
As AlUla continues to develop its hospitality offering, properties such as Dar Tantora demonstrate how historic architecture, regional culture and contemporary service can work together to create a distinctive destination experience.
For Kerten Hospitality, the award supports a wider vision of hospitality shaped by the places in which its properties operate. At Dar Tantora, that vision is expressed through a hotel experience rooted in AlUla’s heritage and the people and creative communities that give the destination its character.
Related reading: AlUla Skies returns for 2026, bringing balloon flights and celestial experiences back to AlUla | AlUla dates season invites visitors to experience a living agricultural tradition
Ahmed Abdul Wasey
Managing Editor, Eat ‘N Stays
Ahmed Abdul Wasey is the Managing Editor in Eat ‘N Stays, overseeing all editorial coverage of travel, hospitality, and food across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region. He sets the publication’s editorial direction and reviews coverage across hotels, restaurants, tourism, cruise, and industry news before it publishes.
Have a story tip, correction, or question about our coverage? Reach Ahmed directly at pr@eatnstays.com.
