New hotels lined up for Diriyah: What we know so far…
The first 14 of its planned 38 hotel brands for the giga-project include Capella, Raffles, and the Six Senses…
Home to one of Saudi’s Unesco Heritage Sites, Diriyah is a centre of the Kingdom’s rich history – the original home of the Saudi Arabian royal family and the country’s first Saudi State.
And as part of the transformation of the historic city of Diriyah, Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) has announced the first 14 of its planned 38 hotel brands, of which the concept design is nearing completion.
The 14 luxury hotels, strategically located across two of DGDA’s four master plans – Diriyah Gate and Wadi Safar – will open within the first phase of the giga project.
Diriyah Gate
Hotel brands coming to phase one of Diriyah Gate include Address Hotels & Resorts, the opulent Baccarat Hotels & Resorts, and a 100-key hotel by Capella Hotels and Resorts, designed to immerse guests into the authenticity of the destination and its local culture.
Located in the Bujairi district will be a Campbell Gray Hotels and Resorts property, combining sustainability and Najdi design with modern glamour to Diriyah Gate, and the first Fauchon Hotel in the Middle East, showcasing the perfect Parisian “art de Vivre” experience.
An 80-key retreat from LXR Hotels & Resorts, Hilton’s exclusive collection of legendary, independent properties, will represent the brand’s debut in Saudi Arabia.
In addition, Orient Express will make its debut in the Middle East, and there will be a Raffles property with breathtaking views of Wadi Hanifah from its rooftop. Other openings include Park Hyatt, The Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, and a Marriott-operated five-star Luxury Collection property of 141 keys, which will open first in 2022.
Wadi Safar
To the west of Diriyah sits Wadi Safar, steeped in heritage and rich cultural tradition and nestled within an unspoilt natural landscape.
Once the gathering place for traders and travellers from Asia, Africa and Europe, Wadi Safar is being developed to become today’s modern embodiment: a cultural hub where the world’s finest experiences and visionary minds will combine.
Among the luxury hotel brands opening here are Oberoi, bringing its warm hospitality to a serene setting, and Six Senses, inviting guests to reconnect to the region through crafted experiences.
The hotel openings will commence in a strategically articulated manner from 2022 through to its completion in 2026.
Jerry Inzerillo, the group CEO of DGDA, said, “This prestigious hotel collection will set the stage for a new level of global hospitality. We are honoured to have attracted such iconic brands to the destination and look forward to unveiling the hotels’ next-level offerings for Saudi Arabia’s visitors and locals over the forthcoming months.”
Jonathan Timms, president of Diriyah Development Company, added, “The announcement of our forthcoming hotel collection is a major milestone in our development’s progress. Each hotel partner has been carefully selected and curated to ensure our guests receive the highest standard of hospitality, whilst enticing them to explore Diriyah and the Kingdom through much-loved brands.”
Diriyah, the new global landmark
As the historical and cultural heart of Saudi Arabia, Diriyah will be the first of the Kingdom’s giga projects to welcome guests.
The new global landmark, located 15 minutes north-west of Riyadh city centre, will be created in a traditional Najdi architectural style, typical of Saudi villages of centuries past.
The destination will soon offer a diverse collection of museums and cultural attractions, an ultra-luxury retail offering, and a line-up of international and local dining brands within the recently revealed Bujairi Terrace district.
Visit: dgda.gov.sa
Images: Provided