The 17 Best Luxury Hotels in Riyadh

Above the rooftops: At Fairmont Ramla Serviced Residences, two infinity pools sit on the roof, one of them on the 35th floor with views of the skyline. On the roof of The St. Regis Riyadh, you look out from the pool over boutiques and restaurants, and in the evening Stella Sky opens around it. Kimpton KAFD Riyadh has a sunny open-air pool deck, with sharing dishes at Kanza.Fairmont Ramla Serviced Residences · As SahafahIn the garden and under glass: At The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, the heated indoor pool is on the ground floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows onto the gardens. At Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Riyadh, the Ladies Spa and the Men’s Health Club each have their own indoor pool with a vitality pool, and Fairmont Riyadh has an indoor pool as well. With a 5-star hotel in Riyadh, it is worth asking whether the pool is indoors or outdoors.

With a pool of your own: Out in the desert, each of the 57 bungalows and villas at Nofa Riyadh Radisson Collection Resort has a private pool and garden, plus there is a large outdoor pool. At InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh on the northern edge of the city, the ten villas have their own pools, and by the infinity pool you sit at the Oasis café. Radisson Blu Riyadh Qurtuba offers 16 three-bedroom villas, each with a private pool and a kitchen.

Spa as a destination: At The St. Regis Riyadh, a domed spa with its own entrance spreads over 1,240 m², with saunas, steam rooms, ice fountains and relaxation lounges with a fireplace; the AMRA signature treatment uses 24-karat gold and platinum. At Mansard Riyadh Radisson Collection Hotel, the Mansard Spa by L’Occitane has a salt cave, plus a hammam, an indoor pool, a jacuzzi and twelve treatment rooms.The St. Regis Riyadh · Al HadaHammams and Middle Eastern rituals: At Sofitel Riyadh, the Sofitel Spa with Clarins combines a modern hammam with a thermal area, four indoor pools and twelve treatment rooms; its hammam rituals go by the name “Charme d’Orient.” At Bab Samhan Diriyah Riyadh, the spa works with organic ingredients from the region for body wraps, massages and scrubs, and there are guided meditation and yoga sessions too.

At no extra cost: you pay the same rate as booking direct with the hotel – the suitespot benefits come on top, free of charge.

Separate areas for women and men: Several luxury hotels in Riyadh keep their spas separate. At Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Riyadh, the Ladies Spa and the Men’s Health Club each have their own gym, saunas and steam rooms, open to guests aged 16 and over. Fairmont Riyadh has the Gentlemen’s Tonic for men and the Ladies Lounge with spa, salon and gym, run by female staff. The spa at Sofitel Riyadh has separate areas as well.

Prices start at 153 € at Radisson Blu Riyadh Qurtuba and go up to 550 € at The St. Regis Riyadh. Most hotels fall between about 180 and 360 € a night, such as Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Riyadh at 250 €. The table shows all 17 hotels by location. You will also find all luxury hotels in Riyadh with their current rates in the hotel list below.

What is included everywhere: At all 17 hotels, the suitespot benefits apply from the first night. They include daily breakfast for two (at Radisson Blu Hotel Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter and Radisson Blu Riyadh Qurtuba from the Premium category), an upgrade subject to availability, and early check-in and late check-out when rooms are free. At Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya, the upgrade already applies at booking, subject to availability.

Hotel credit: Eleven hotels add 100 US dollars, and suite guests at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Riyadh receive 200 US dollars, split between the restaurants and the spa. At Nofa Riyadh Radisson Collection Resort it is 50 US dollars from the Premium category, and at Mansard Riyadh Radisson Collection Hotel selected rates include a three-course dinner. A welcome gift awaits you at ten hotels.Radisson Blu Riyadh Qurtuba · QurtubaPoints and status: Marriott Bonvoy applies at five hotels, including The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh and Bab Samhan Diriyah Riyadh, Radisson Rewards at four, ALL (Accor) at three, such as Fairmont Riyadh, and IHG One Rewards at two. At Conrad Riyadh Laysen Valley you earn double Hilton Honors points, at Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya World of Hyatt applies, and at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Riyadh you enjoy the status benefits of Fans of Mandarin Oriental.

When it is loveliest: From October to April the days are mild to warm, ideal for Diriyah, Via Riyadh and evenings on the terrace. In summer it gets very hot; life then moves indoors and into the evening, and the indoor pools and spas come into their own.

How long to stay: For a 5-star hotel in Riyadh we recommend two to three nights. That is enough for meetings, an evening in Diriyah and an afternoon at Via Riyadh. If you also want to experience the desert, add a night at a resort outside the city.