"Dream of the Desert": Saudi Arabia's First Five-Star Luxury Train

Set to launch in the third quarter of 2026, "Dream of the Desert" is Saudi Arabia's first five-star luxury train that combines culture and opulence. More than just a lavish travel experience, it embodies the ingenuity and vision of architect and designer Aline Asmar d’Amman, whose exquisite interior design defines the project. As the leader of this pioneering initiative, the female designer brings a unique perspective to luxury rail travel, masterfully blending traditional cultural heritage with contemporary elegance.

"Dream of the Desert is not only about slow travel but also a significant achievement in sustainable practices and ultra-luxury upgrades," noted d’Amman. Its design draws deeply from Saudi Arabia's vast landscapes and Bedouin traditions, with an aesthetic that captures the desert's mysterious allure. Elements from regions such as AlUla, Madain Saleh, and Ha'il are integrated into sophisticated modern spaces. The pure natural beauty, unique vastness, tranquility, wildness, and breadth of Saudi Arabia are "tamed" only by the patient travel approach of Bedouin traditions, a quality that aligns with a distinct travel demand today.

Every detail of the train is meticulously crafted to showcase Saudi craftsmanship: intricate wood carvings, woven textiles, handcrafted lighting fixtures, and sculptural decorations that evoke a cinematic atmosphere. The lounge, inspired by the "majlis" (the traditional Arabic reception room), is ideal for private conversations. Iconic architectural facades of Jeddah are reinterpreted as carved screens, while the restaurant interior pays homage to the artistic beauty of traditional gypsum patterns and desert plants through delicate combinations of textures and tones.

A joint creation by Saudi Arabian Railway Company (SAR) and Italian luxury hospitality group Arsenale, "Dream of the Desert" is the first five-star luxury train in the Middle East, marking a crucial step for Saudi Arabia in the high-end rail tourism sector. The dining experience fuses local flavors with international culinary excellence, with menus co-created by top Saudi and global chefs. Art installations and photographic works onboard showcase Saudi Arabia's cultural and natural beauty, offering passengers an immersive visual journey.

Aligned with Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030," the train's design epitomizes the future of luxury tourism in the country and opens an exclusive door for visitors to explore Saudi Arabia's cultural heritage and modern ambitions. "Saudi Arabia is undergoing an extraordinary transformation, and being part of this exciting chapter to create a vision deeply rooted in respect for cultural heritage yet infused with modernity is fascinating," d’Amman stated. "For me, craftsmanship is the perfect bridge to achieve this seamless integration—it is the ultimate luxury, conveyed through handiwork." She added that the exquisite skills of Italian artisans, along with collaboration with Arsenale and SAR, will give birth to numerous stories that highlight the magic of cultural fusion and the boundless inspiration inherent in Saudi Arabia's cultural heritage and desert legends.