Monday marked a milestone for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company when the luxury hotel brand made its first foray into Saudi Arabia.
The 493-room Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh sits next to the Diplomatic Quarter and adjacent to the King Abdul Aziz Convention Centre. We love the 52 acres of landscaped gardens (palatial indeed!) and the opulent fountains that greet visitors along the driveway. Nice touch: Native palm trees and 600-year-old olive trees from Lebanon complete this oasis paradise.
All guest rooms and suites are designed to reflect the area's Middle Eastern heritage. Forty-nine two-bedroom Royal Suites measure 4,574 square feet. There are 50 one-bedroom Executive Suites that measure 1,022 square feet, as well. Each room has wireless and wired internet, flat screen televisions and DVD players.
Dining options abound. Al Orjouan is the signature all-day dining buffet restaurant serving up Lebanese favorites; Turquoise, the cigar lounge, is the one-stop-shop for a good Cuban. Looking to dine alfresco? We suggest Chorisia Lounge, which is perfect for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. And if it is a bit of fun you are after, Strike is an indoor six-lane bowling alley with a bar of mocktails and smoothies.
Fine dining options include Hong, the Asian restaurant, and Azzuro for Italian fare.
For more information visit www.ritzcarlton.com.