Riyadh Reality

Enjoy the dizzy heights of luxury in a modern stylish room at the Four Season’s Hotel. Ideally located within Riyadh’s tallest building, the prestigious Kingdom Centre (also known as Al Mamlaka, worth remembering for taxi drivers), the hotel features 249 spacious guest rooms and suites, a meeting and conference centre (capable of servicing up to 3000 people), and the wonderful benefits of being adjacent to an exclusive shopping mall.

Each room has floor to ceiling windows that present guests with a stunning view of the city. An abundant range of satellite TV channels can be enjoyed from the dreamiest of beds. The marble bathroom features a separate shower and deep-soaking bath tub adorned with delicious L’Occitane beauty products.

Male guests can enjoy the facilities of the gymnasium, outdoor pool, squash, and tennis courts, then chill out and unwind at the spa, sauna, steam, and massage treatment rooms…oh, the luxuries of life!! Female guests are invited to be pampered at the exclusive ladies-only floor of the neighboring Kingdom Centre, open 7am-10pm. I suggest you have the concierge call the beauty therapist first, as prayer times throughout the day can disrupt your plan somewhat.

The weekend sees many locals frequent the hotel to enjoy its restaurants, specifically the Lebanese and Oriental buffet. Guests dining options are further extended by stepping into the shopping mall’s eatery. An array of outlets offer cheap and delicious fare ranging from Iranian kebab meal plates, appetizing Japanese teppanyaki, the ever familiar McDonald’s, KFC, and the scrumptiously sinful Cinnobun.

From the elegant tree-lined lobby filled with dramatic floral displays to the distinctive friendly service, this Four Season’s setting provides you with a memorably superior view of gracious modern Arabian culture.

Imagine a business trip where returning to your hotel feels like coming home. This is the experience and warm Arabian hospitality of Sheraton Riyadh.

Centrally located, 5km from the diplomatic quarter and 30km from the airport, Sheraton Riyadh offers 182 newly renovated, cozy yet modern rooms and villas. With an emphasis on the business traveler, facilities are fitting. A fully equipped business centre, in-room Internet connection, and a conference centre seating up to 350 guests—all makes business seem like a pleasure.

After a productive business day, an inviting array of facilities await. From an energetic workout in the gym to a dip in the pool, a game of basketball, tennis or billiards, a stress-relieving massage, or steam session, this hotel has the key to all your travel needs.

Feeding your hunger is easy with Riyadh’s best Italian restaurant, La Piazza, located in the hotel foyer. Indulge in the mouth-watering Mediterranean salad bar (only 50SR/10.50Euro) or enjoy the delicacies in the comfort of your own room (spaghetti bolognese 45SR/9.50Eruo). Al Bustan offers international buffets with theme nights (Lebanese night and seafood night), being held throughout the week or tet-a-tete over coffee and cake in the buzzing, popular Lobby Lounge.

You get the sense that this Sheraton property is one of the few that really cares about you as their guest (even the telephone operator welcomed me back with glee on my stay). There’s also a compassionate emphasis on the ‘Check-Out for Children’ program, where $1 is added to your final bill as a donation to UNICEF to help raise funds for life-saving immunization work for children the world over, support I’d not felt at any other Sheraton hotel around the world.

Sheraton Riyadh truly is ‘your home away from home’.


Room Service: Coffee 13.50SR/3euro, Club Sandwich 46SR/9.50euro, Spaghetti 45SR/9.50euro

In Saudi Arabia, where woman are obliged to cover up and are bound by some of the most restricting rules in the world, the idea of shopping for entertainment can be completely warranted.

Take advantage of the fact that you’re prohibited to drive and enjoy being chauffeured around, but make your first stop the Harvey Nichols Outlet Store. Label-savvy shoppers will love this gem of a store, home to brands such as Jimmy Choo, Versace, Barbara Bui, Alexander McQueen, Maharishi, D-Squared, and thousands more, all at 60% to 90% off!!

Depending on your timing, you’ll either be impressed or disappointed. But with new stock always arriving from the main store in Al Faisaliah Mall, it won’t be long till a truck load of treasures is once again off-loaded and hungry bargain hunters are appeased.

Phone: +9661 273 4444