Face-to-face with Antony Treston – GM of Banyan Tree AlUla
Tucked away in the captivating landscapes of AlUla, Saudi Arabia, the Banyan Tree stands as a testament to luxury, culture, and innovative hospitality. Banyan Tree AlUla opened in the latter part of 2022 and is nestled in the embrace of millennia-old cliffs and canyons within the sweeping landscapes of Saudi Arabia’s desert, offering guests a tranquil escape and an immersion into a heritage that has whispered through the ages.
On a gently warm January morning, we find ourselves conversing with Antony Treston on the sun-dappled terrace of Banyan Tree AlUla’s southern pavilion. The air is alive with the soft calls of desert birds, creating a serene backdrop to our discussion. Treston, the General Manager, speaks with an infectious enthusiasm that’s as lofty as the breathtaking spire-like mountains surrounding us. He elaborates on the ambitions and dreams woven into the fabric of the resort, a linchpin in Saudi Arabia’s vision of transforming into a haven for international travellers.
“We have a total of 79 units,” Treston begins, his voice reflecting the satisfaction of overseeing a project that’s as much about numbers as it is about narratives. “There are 47 in the Banyan Tree, ranging from one-bedroom suites without a pool to expansive three-bedroom villas. Additionally, we have 27 of the Ashar tents and the five Royal villas.”
Treston’s vision comes from a lifetime in hospitality. “I’ve traipsed across the globe, from the bustling streets of China to the rich cultures of India and beyond. But it’s here, in AlUla, where history speaks through the sand, that I’ve found a profound connection,” Treston shares.
His journey into the hospitality industry was one of defiance and passion, a path not initially understood by his father back home in Northumberland, UK. “I was the son who didn’t have a ‘proper’ job,” he recalls with a wry smile. Yet, his career, peppered with stints in iconic locations, attests to a vocation found and flourished.
The allure of AlUla is not lost on Treston, who articulates the area’s pull with a vividness that transports you to the heart of the desert. “AlUla isn’t just a place; it’s a living narrative, a canvas where every grain of sand has a story to tell. And at Banyan Tree, we strive to be the medium through which these stories reach our guests,” he says.
This commitment to storytelling is echoed in the design of the resort, where the all-villa, tented accommodations draw inspiration from the nomadic nature of the ancient Nabataean architects. “We’ve tried to embrace the local culture… for example, the fire pits in every room where guests can enjoy the evenings just as the locals do,” Treston explains.
For Treston, it’s crucial that the resort’s offerings are rooted in the authentic Saudi experience. “It’s not a cookie-cutter hospitality; it’s a sense of place that Banyan Tree is very keen to maintain,” he states firmly. From outdoor treatments to nomadic chef’s tables, the experiences are curated to resonate with the essence of AlUla.
Treston’s ambition for the Banyan Tree AlUla transcends the usual luxury stay; it’s about crafting an international crossroads, a confluence where diverse cultures converge. The resort’s guest list reads like a UN roll call or the cast of a Hollywood blockbuster, but with an unexpected surge of South Americans, a steady stream from China, and a continuous flow from the GCC. “We’re flinging open the doors to the world,” Treston declares. “Visitors arrive not knowing what to expect and depart with a fresh perspective.”
Training local talent is another aspect Treston is deeply passionate about. He believes in the natural hospitality of the Saudi people, seeing it as a fertile ground for the Banyan Tree’s ethos to nurture. “We’re starting at a very good level of genuine hospitality… we’re not trying to change it, we’re trying to develop it,” he notes, speaking to the importance of fostering a sense of place in the service provided.
As the resort grows, so too does its role in the broader tapestry of AlUla’s tourism landscape. With the Royal Commission for AlUla’s development plans and Banyan Tree’s commitment to authenticity and luxury, this unique destination is set to weave new stories for every traveller who wanders into this ancient valley, seeking sanctuary among the sands.
Leaving Banyan Tree AlUla, like many of Treston’s guests, we carry with us an imprint of the desert’s grandeur, a multisensory collage etched in our memories. There’s a reverence that envelops you in this landscape – a place where the word “unique” regains its full weight, untouched by the erosion of overuse. AlUla doesn’t just invite observation or passive visits; it demands to be experienced – to be lived. Here, in the cradle of history, “unique” is not a mere descriptor; it’s an irrefutable truth.
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Read also: ALULA ADDS 5 NEW DMCS
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Photo – top of page – Antony Treston – by Richard Barnes, editor-in-chief – SAFE
