The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. debuted in Saudi Arabia this week with the palatial 493-room The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh.
The sense of arrival through 213,500 sq m (52 acres) of landscaped gardens is befitting of the grandeur of the palace that lie ahead. Designed by Al Rasheed Engineering Company and constructed by Oger International, the hotel boasts spectacular fountains that front the 1-km (0.62-mile) 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 blending gracefully with the verdant landscape of the gardens. Native palms, 600-year old olive trees from Lebanon, and water fountains abound on the property.
“We are extremely proud that The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh represents our first hotel into the Kingdom. We have been aggressively seeking the right first location in Saudi Arabia for a number of years,” said Herve Humler, president and chief operations officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. “Having such an impressive presence in Riyadh is part of our ongoing strategy to develop world class hotels in cities where the demand for luxury lodging is high.”
The architecture, interior design, landscaping and accessories fuse to create a marriage of style and sense of place within the Middle East. All guestrooms and suites are elegantly styled using the vibrant colors and ethnic textures of the region, with subtle touches reflecting the Kingdom’s Arabic heritage.
The hotel offers more than 5,800 sq m (62,000 sq ft) of conference space. Guests are offered a selection of gourmet dining venues, including Al Orjouan, an all-day dining buffet restaurant featuring Lebanese favorites and Turquoise, a cigar lounge.
Presenting an alfresco option is Chorisia Lounge for a leisurely breakfast, lunch or 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. Other dining options include Hong, an Asian restaurant and Azzuro Italian, serving Italian cuisine.