Riyadh, home to the medieval Al Masmak fortress and buzzing Souk Al-Zal, is one of the wealthiest cities in the world. It’s not surprising that it has a growing reputation for being the bling empire of the Middle East. Want to lounge by your own private pool, shop in a gold-dipped mall and dine like royalty? Here’s our pick of the best luxury hotels in the Saudi Arabian capital.
Narcissus Hotel & Residence Riyadh
Luxury, Spa Hotel
Courtesy of Narcissus Hotel and Residence Riyadh / Expedia
The famous King Midas is remembered from Greek mythology for his ability to turn everything he touched into gold. You’d be forgiven for assuming Midas has stayed here – everything from the curtains to the cakes glitter with gold. Bling aside, this is a five-star experience all the way. Inside, you’ll find 280 palatial apartment-style rooms and an impressive luxury spa, plus a Rolls Royce airport transfer for the end of your stay.
The hotel’s limo service extends beyond airport pick ups, ready to whisk you wherever you’d like to go in the city. The nearby upmarket shopping malls – Al Nakheel Mall, Granada Mall and Hayat Mall – are a good start. Return for dinner at the hotel’s Oasis restaurant, which combines traditional Arabesque style with charming European touches. Don’t miss the luxurious spa with an indoor pool, jacuzzi and fully equipped gym.
The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh was originally designed as a royal palace before opening as a hotel in 2011. 52 acres (21ha) of manicured gardens feature 600-year-old olive trees and swaying palms. The grand marble-clad lobby secures first impressions with an ornate water fountain and plenty of dramatic gold accents. There are 492 opulent guest rooms and a world-class spa with a majestic indoor pool, topped with its own sky — see it to believe it.
The locale alone is reason enough to book a stay at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh. It occupies the 30th to 48th floors of the prestigious Kingdom Centre, a 99-storey skyscraper known as the tallest building in Saudi Arabia. Suites are decorated in an earthy, vibrant colour palette as a nod to Riyadh’s literal meaning of “garden,” while soft furnishings are handcrafted by local artisans. In-room technology includes automated curtains and lighting systems, iPads, smart TVs, Bose Bluetooth speakers and smart makeup mirrors.
This 17-storey hotel is a sturdy sun-splitting glass tower, dominating King Fahad Road. Inside, 349 rooms and suites are hi-tech to suit modern travellers, with tasteful nods to Najdi architecture. The luxurious, marble-clad bathrooms all have deep-soak bathtubs with floor-to-ceiling windows, offering incredible city views.
The Al Faisaliah Spa by ESPA is exclusively a man-free zone, and a real highlight within this five-star hotel. Sparkling crystals and soothing waterfalls make way for signature treatments and opulent relaxation areas. There are 95 modern guest rooms here, but also 106 separate suites with 24-hour butler service – making this Riyadh’s only dedicated luxury suite hotel.
Small touches go a long way at Shaza Riyadh. Listen to beautiful bird song in the grounds, enjoy the Shalimar tea selection in your room and glide around the property where the smiley staff will greet you by name. Rooms and suites are bathed in sunlight and soft colour palettes, with magnificent views of Riyadh. The hotel’s two restaurants, MeNa and Midan, offer menus that remain faithful to Middle Eastern culture, while the Garden View cafe is the perfect spot for a late night coffee and sweet treat.
Do you like to zip from plane seat to luxury bolthole within minutes? Fairmont Riyadh is the nearest five-star hotel to King Khalid International Airport, so they claim. The hotel embraces Arabian decadence in all of its 298 rooms and suites. They also offer a variety of lifestyle facilities, from the Gentlemen’s Tonic Spa, with a state-of-the-art fitness centre and indoor pool, to the Ladies Lounge with spa, pampering beauty salon and boutique gym.
Freedom with a dollop of opulence is what Fraser Suites offer inside their serviced luxury apartments in downtown Olaya. From studios to two-bedroom flats, each one is elegantly designed with fully equipped kitchens and laundry facilities on every floor. Cool down in the hotel pool, or sweat out the dust in the sauna, steam room or 24-hour gym.
This 21-floor property was purpose built by Hilton, and stands next to the Granada shopping mall – with its 420 stores and 10 high-end restaurants. Deluxe rooms, suites and apartments offer outstanding views of the city and plenty of natural light, thanks to wrap-around windows. Choose from three in-house dining options: Anar (Armenian), Arabica (Arabic) and Lotus (Asian).
With lush green gardens and no less than 18 swimming pools, this vast property feels more like a luxurious village than a resort. Book one of 10 stately villas for an opulent stay – each one has marble floors and a sweeping terrace with a private pool. The two-storey spa, which takes up 5,000sqm (53,820sqft) of space, is the largest in Riyadh. Inside, they offer indulgent treatments, wellness experiences and a full beauty salon.
For keen sightseers and no-nonsense shoppers, this is the perfect luxury base for your escapades. Riyadh’s upmarket designer mall, Centria, and the National Museum of Saudi Arabia are both close to the Hyatt Regency. Rooms and suites are top-tier deluxe. Head to the 26th floor for a refreshing drink at the swish Regency Club, the city’s highest lounge.
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