Hotel Review: The St. Regis Riyadh
Via Riyadh’s luxury hotel is a befitting addition to one of the city’s most show-stopping areas…
When visionary hotelier John Jacob Astor established the first St Regis Hotel in New York in 1904, I don’t imagine he envisaged his brand making its way to the Middle East.
But fast forward 120 years, and the debut St Regis hotel in Saudi Arabia, The St Regis Riyadh, is six months into operations. Located in one of Riyadh’s newest and most exciting shopping and dining destinations, it laces New York luxury with Saudi Arabian hospitality in a remarkably harmonious way.
Check-in and check it out with us…
Location
The location of St Regis Riyadh, overlooking gorgeously grand Via Riyadh with its myriad upscale shopping and dining options, is ideal both for business and leisure travellers. Reachable from King Khalid International Airport in around 30 minutes, it’s a central base for exploring much of the city, while also feeling like an escape from the densely populated main areas.
Rooms
While the hotel looks like it could be large and corporate from the outside, inside there are just 83 guestrooms, including 23 suites, all adorned in smart, contemporary tones, while still giving a subtle nod to the locale. Guest rooms feature all the modern comforts you’d expect from a five star resort: luxury Frette linens, a super-sized free-standing tub, and flat screen TV. But you’ll also find locally sourced design features and nods to Salmani architecture, in keeping with Via Riyadh’s aesthetic. Bathroom amenities from luxury brands Sachajuan, Sodashi and REN skincare are all welcome extras that make guests feel special, as is the thoughtful turndown service, which leaves guests returning to soothing lounge music playing on a TV screen of flickering candles.
Look and feel
The St Regis DNA is everywhere: the sparkling chandeliers that sit pretty everywhere from the lobby to the spa; the spacious suites, adorned in smart, contemporary shades of teal and soft beige, laced with golden accents for a touch of New York glamour; and of course in the St Regis butler service, on hand to sort anything from restaurant reservations to information on spa treatments, or a particular kind of pillow. If space is a measure of luxury, this must be one of the city’s most luxurious stays, as everything is laid out generously, thoughtfully designed with plenty of cosy nooks in the communal areas for those looking for a little privacy.
Facilities
It’s easy to lose an afternoon in the cosy library or St Regis bar off the lobby, where smart shades of cream and warm lighting create a calm and neutral space for remote working while sipping on a coffee or signature mocktail. The leisure facilities also include a well-equipped third floor gym, with floor-to-ceiling windows of the city unrolling as far as the eye can see; and a rooftop swimming pool, lined with plush seating. But the finest of the hotel’s facilities has to be the St Regis Spa, the largest in Riyadh. It’s a maze of zen-inducing experiences one after another: pampering treatment rooms; relaxation areas where the wow factor from the flickering fireplaces is surpassed only by the suspended glass chandelier; and a dedicated room of temperature-based experiences, including a snow shoer, sauna, and plunge pool. Treatment rooms are warm and dimly lit, designed to embrace all the senses: the sound of soothing string music is the backing track to an evening massage paired with the fragrant scent of the Platinum Amra oil, and firm pressure from an experienced masseuse. A first for the city, the spa is also home to Riyadh’s first couples’ suite, which also comes with a dedicated lounge and relaxation room complete with bubbling jacuzzi.
Food
Though there’s a whole host of internationally renowned restaurants on the hotel’s doorstep, guests shouldn’t miss dining at Jackie (an ode to the former First Lady), St Regis Riyadh’s elegant interpretation of an all-day dining restaurant. Flooded with natural light and dressed in calm hues of white and blue, marble floors, mirrored walls, and triple height ceilings create a space that’s bright and inviting. For breakfast, there’s a small buffet selection of continental classics, and a waste-saving a la carte menu of eggs half a dozen ways, healthy options and sweet treats for something a little more indulgent. For dinner, the culinary focus of Jackie strays from the brand’s American DNA to offer a largely Greek menu, with options like slow braised octopus with cherry tomatoes and capers, a board loaded with traditional mezedes, and prettily plated fish and meat for mains, all of which are generous portions and served on gold plated chinaware.
Then there’s newly opened Stella Sky Lounge (pictured), best enjoyed after sunset, with lounge seating neatly arranged at the third floor poolside. It’s got a sleek city rooftop feel, and wouldn’t look out of place on the roof of a hotel in artsy Miami or culturally-cool Barcelona, with zodiac-inspired mocktails and shisha served up to a live DJ and saxophonist six nights per week.
Room rates
A one-night stay in a deluxe king room starts from SAR1,882 in May 2024.
Verdict
This is an unmistakably St Regis property, the brand’s luxurious DNA laced into every area, from the design to the service and the culinary offering. And it’s quietly setting a new benchmark for luxury stays in Riyadh.
The St Regis Riyadh, Via Riyadh, 2941 Makkah Al Mukarramah Road, Al Hada District. Tel: (966) 115 089 555. marriott.com