Ritz-Carlton to open first hotel in Saudi Arabia

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company will open its first hotel in Saudi Arabia, The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh on 24 October.

The palatial hotel, with 493 rooms and suites, is situated next to the Diplomatic Quarter and adjacent to the King Abdul Aziz Convention Centre within 213,500 sq m (52 acres) of landscaped gardens.

“This majestic hotel’s prime location in the literal heart of the Arabian Peninsula offers many significant advantages to visiting guests and dignitaries,” said Herve Humler, President and Chief Operations Officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

“We are privileged to be managing this spectacular palace which fits our luxury brand perfectly, and we are extremely proud that The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh represents our first hotel into Saudi Arabia,” he added.

Designed by Al Rasheed Engineering Company and constructed by Oger International, The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh regally faces spectacular fountains fronting a one kilometre driveway.

Originally envisioned as a royal guest palace for visiting dignitaries and heads of state, the hotel’s stately architecture is modeled on traditional palaces and elegant Arabian residences with ochre facades.

Native palms, 600-year old olive trees from Lebanon, and water fountains abound on the property, a statement said.

All guestrooms and suites are elegantly styled using the vibrant colours and ethnic textures of the region, with subtle touches reflecting the Kingdom’s Arabic heritage, it added.

Highlights include not just one, but 49 exquisitely appointed two-bedroom Royal Suites, each generously measuring more than 425 sq m (4,574 sq ft,) and 50 one-bedroom, opulent Executive Suites at 95 sq m (1,022 square feet).

All guest rooms are equipped with wireless and wired Internet access, flat screen televisions and DVD players, according to the statement.

The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh offers more than 5,800 sq m (62,000 square feet) of conference space, including two ballrooms in a separate wing that are both identical in size at 1,970 sq m or 21,000 sq ft each.

They are complemented by two vast auditorium-styled theatres with stepped floors and built-in stages, perfect for press conferences and symposium lectures, and a generous variety of smaller meeting rooms.

Completing the conference area is Aubergine restaurant that cater exclusively for the invited delegates, journalists and accompanying security personnel.

The hotel features Al Orjouan, the signature all-day dining buffet restaurant featuring Lebanese favourites; and Turquoise, the cigar lounge offering a selection of Cuban cigars.

Presenting an alfresco option is Chorisia Lounge for leisurely breakfast, lunch or the signature afternoon tea, while Strike offers a fun and stimulating atmosphere for mocktails and smoothies within the 1,000 sq m (10,700 sq ft) indoor six-lane bowling alley.

Flanking the stunning indoor swimming pool on the ground level, which features garden views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, are Hong, the Asian restaurant featuring a contemporary fusion of fresh Oriental ingredients with a western flair, and Azzuro Italian restaurant that serves authentic cuisine from the old country.

Recreational facilities include a full-service men’s health club complete with three treatment rooms. For medical emergencies, the hotel features a fully-equipped Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with separate rooms for patients.

The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh joins nine other Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts currently operating or under development in the Middle East: Bahrain, Dubai, Sharm El Sheikh, Doha, Sharq Village & Spa, Dubai International Finance Centre, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Nile Cairo (opening respectively in 2012 and 2013.)