Review: Fairmont Riyadh
Is this the best luxury stay for the business traveller in the Saudi Capital?
As Riyadh becomes a beacon for business in the Middle East, a new wave of well-travelled visitors are making regular trips to the capital. To cater to them, Fairmont Riyadh opened in Business Gate in 2019, promising to bring Fairmont signatures like grand public spaces, engaging service and authentic experiences to a new address on the northernmost part of town.
But among a sea of big global names now welcoming visitors to the Saudi capital, how does Fairmont Riyadh fare?
Location
For those looking to be close to the airport – and avoid the bustling Riyadh traffic while doing so – Fairmont Riyadh is the ideal address, located a 15-minute drive from King Khalid International. A centrepiece of the Business Gate development, it’s the best choice for luxury stays in this part of town. But if you choose Fairmont Riyadh for your leisure getaway you won’t be disappointed either, with a string of Riyadh’s star attractions accessible within 20 minutes.
Rooms
Generous guest rooms start from a sumptuous 40 square metres, meaning there’s plenty of space to make you feel right at home. The furnishings include a comfy sofa and smart writing desk so that guests checking-in for business have everything they need to make their space a remote working office. Crisp white linen bedsheets and luxurious feather pillows ensure guest get a blissful night sleep, while there’s a grown-up feel to the room’s slate grey and soft sand hues, given a splash of personality with pops of lime green and orange. Little luxuries like a fruit basket, fresh flowers, and Le Labo amenities are subtle touches that make a big difference.
Look and feel
Marrying Saudi Arabian detail with quiet contemporary luxury is no easy feat, but the hotel aesthetic somehow achieves this perfect balance. The grand driveway up states the tone for the grandeur that follows, but it’s impressive without being too in-your-face. Twinkling lights, water features and angular art pieces make the hotel’s communal spaces feel as much like art galleries as they do hotel facilities. The marble, brass, glass elements all create a modern feel that makes this one of the best hotels in Riyadh for contemporary luxury.
Facilites
The Fairmont Spa at this hotel is a reason in itself to book yourself a getaway to the Fairmont Riyadh, and the spa facilities here are among the very best in the city. The indoor swimming pool, bathed in natural light from triple height windows, is an instantly relaxing spot whether you just want to bliss out on the surrounding day beds or get your lengths in with a dip in the temperature-controlled pool. There’s an open-all-hours fitness facility for both men and women, as well as separate spa facilities including steam and sauna for when you’re in need of a little ‘me’ time.
Food
The hotel has a collection of five restaurants that cater to all occasions. All-day eatery 365 is exactly that, an all-encompassing, all-occasions restaurant that’s particularly impressive during breakfast, where counters are filled with continental classics, hot buffet dishes and live stations for made-to-order eggs and pancakes. The light and elegant The Plaza has a welcome buzz about it that’s atmospheric, inviting guests to linger longer in the elegant surrounds of this lobby-side spot. It’s a social space for guests to conduct business meetings, or meet with friends for the hotel’s signature afternoon tea.
Room rates
A one-night stay for two in an entry level Fairmont Room starts from SAR1,850.
Verdict
For a luxurious stay in one of the best hotels in Riyadh, Fairmont Riyadh is both style and substance. Staying true to its Middle Eastern existence while incorporating all of the best bits of Fairmont’s signature understated grandeur, this might be Riyadh’s best kept secret.
Fairmont Riyadh, Airport Road, Qurtubah Area, Business Gate, Riyadh. Tel: (0)11 826 2626, fairmont.com/riyadh