Annabel’s AlUla

In late Spring 2025, I was appointed by the Royal Commission for AlUla to curate and deliver a high-profile restaurant residency within the region for the October–December season. Following the successful execution of Annabel’s over three consecutive seasons, the opportunity presented itself to reintroduce the iconic brand through a reimagined, immersive outdoor dining concept tailored to AlUla’s extraordinary landscape.

Working from a blank-canvas timber structure, I conceptualised a setting inspired by the celebrated Annabel’s garden in Mayfair, thoughtfully translated into the dramatic desert terrain of Saudi Arabia. The vision was to retain the unmistakable DNA of Annabel’s while creating a dialogue with its surroundings — merging quintessential British garden elegance with the untamed romance of a tropical oasis beneath the desert sky.

Towering palms formed a natural canopy under the stars, while guests were seated in bespoke upholstered booths layered with patterned textiles and decorative cushions. At the heart of the space stood a striking central tree installation, engineered from a custom steel framework and meticulously clad in natural bark and branches to create an authentic sculptural focal point.

The environment was richly layered with curated botanical installations, mirrored trellis detailing, Carrara marble dining tables and custom wire-frame chairs finished with tailored seat pads and covers. Every design element was considered to ensure cohesion between brand identity, spatial storytelling and guest experience — delivering an exclusive, transportive dining destination within one of the world’s most culturally significant landscapes.