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City Hotel · ££££
The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Middle East
8.7Editorial score
Editorial research. Profiled through in-depth editorial research; Browntravels has not yet stayed at this property. How we review
A vast palace originally built to host state guests, set in landscaped grounds beside Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter and run with ceremonial polish.
The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh was conceived not as a hotel but as a palace for visiting heads of state, and it shows in every dimension: a colossal domed and colonnaded building approached through fountained gardens, with a lobby of marble, chandeliers and a sweeping double staircase built for arrivals with entourages. It opened to the public under the Ritz-Carlton flag in 2011 and has been the Saudi capital's ceremonial address ever since.
Rooms are among the largest standard offerings of any city hotel in the region, dressed in a classical European register with Arabian flourishes, and the suite inventory extends to quarters designed for royalty. The grounds are a genuine amenity in Riyadh's climate—acres of lawns and palms that turn golden in the evening light—alongside an indoor pool of near-Olympian proportions and a men's spa of similar ambition.
Dining runs from an elaborate international restaurant to Chinese and steakhouse venues and a chocolate-focused lounge. The location, near the Diplomatic Quarter on the city's western side, suits business and government itineraries better than casual sightseeing. As Riyadh opens to tourism, the hotel remains what it always was: the kingdom's statement address for guests it wishes to impress.
Why stay here
- Palace architecture and grounds built for state occasions
- Exceptionally large rooms and a deep suite inventory
- A grand indoor pool and extensive spa facilities
- Convenient to the Diplomatic Quarter and government district
Things to consider
- The ceremonial scale can feel impersonal for leisure stays
- Away from the city's newer dining and entertainment districts
Rooms & Suites
Around 490 rooms and suites of unusually generous size, in classical palace style; specialty suites occupy quarters originally intended for state guests.
Dining
A lavish international dining room, Chinese and steakhouse restaurants, and a lobby lounge where Arabic coffee and dates set the ceremonial tone.
Spa & Wellness
A vast indoor pool beneath arched ceilings, extensive fitness facilities and an elaborate spa; the palm-filled grounds invite evening walks.
The Browntravels Verdict
Riyadh's palace hotel—unmatched for scale and occasion, best suited to travellers whose business is in the west of the capital.
Last updated 28 July 2026
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Live rates and availability for The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh and nearby stays — or book directly with the hotel.
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