Hotel review: JW Marriott Riyadh
The debut JW Marriott in the Kingdom is style and soul…
Saudi Arabi’a’s first JW Marriott property opened in November 2022. Catering to mindful travellers, JW Marriott is all about creating experiences that allow guests to live in the present, foster connection and feed the soul. In Riyadh, that includes an impressive array of culinary experiences, serene spaces that extend from the gardens to the spa, and intuitive service that welcomes guests for both business and leisure.
We checked in to check it out.
The location
The central location of this property puts guests right in the heart of the city. In the heart of the new commercial and business district of Riyadh, restaurants, attractions and connectivity to the airport are all within easy reach.
Look and feel
We love the warm and inviting feel that oozes throughout the public spaces at JW Marriott Riyadh, which begin on instant arrival in the lobby. Lush botanicals interlace a palette of neutral, earthy tones, warm lights, and textured furnishings that are designed to be touched. A typically forgotten space is filled with interesting and engaging areas to admire and enjoy from the second you step through the doors, with thinks like oil lanterns adding a traditional touch. There’s social spaces and a quaint tea lounge, where guests can enjoy Asian rituals with a Saudi twist.
Rooms
The elegantly designed guest rooms vary across a dozen categories, right up to the multi-room suites that are perfect for family or group stays. All benefit from brilliant Riyadh skyline views, including our own top floor suite, which gazes out over the bustling city below with a floor-to-ceiling feature window a highlight of the bright living area. The dark woods that may typically feel a little tired are given an upgrade with patterned carpets and warm tones. Then there’s five star luxuries like crisp sheets, branded robes and even a kitchenette with all the top mod cons, ideal for those longer stays.
Facilities
For the leisure traveller, it’s hard to be bored at JW Marriott Riyadh. Both ladies and gents are catered to with separate wellness areas at Spa by JW, with outdoor swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms and indoor plunge pools, so even if you’re not getting a treatment you can enjoy the luxe facilities on offer. Looking for a more intense wellbeing ritual? There’s 11 treatment rooms where guests can get pampered with body scrubs and wraps, facials and massages.
The central location also means that
Food and drink
An impressive collection of restaurants includes the signature JW Steakhouse, a sleek space for cosmopolitan carnivores to enjoy grilled, smoked and slow-roasted meats. The aesthetic is dark and grown-up, with a masculine feel thanks to expensive looking woods, crisp tablecloths and warm globe lighting. The only disruptor to this otherwise elegant setting is a glass window into the kitchen, which allows diners to see the culinary team at work.
Within the same space is JW Glass Garden, a greenhouse dining space complemented by a plethora of fresh, organic produce grown on-site and sourced from local farms for fragrant, seasonally inspired plates with zero carbon footprint.
You won’t want to check-in without checking out Casa Cacao, the first international boutique from renowned Spanish chocolatier, Can Roca. The mastermind behind three-Michelin-starred El Celler has transformed a lovely retail space off the lobby into an alluring destination to satisfy your sweet cravings. From pralines to nougats, the boutique offers a bounty of handcrafted chocolate creations that go far beyond the basics. Best of all, you can try your way around them with a special chocolate experience.
Room rates
One-night stays in February start from SAR1,152.
Verdict
A stylish stay in a central location, JW Marriott Riyadh makes a confident entry to the city’s five star hospitality scene. A special mention should be given to the warm service, which starts from the arrival concierge through to every touch point, no request is too much.
JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh, King Fahd Rd, Sahafah District, Riyadh 11564. Tel: 011 511 7777. @jwmarriottriyadh