Tag Archives: Riyadh

In an exclusive interview with TravelTV Middle East, Saurabh Tiwari – Area Director Middle East & CIS, Taj Hotels part of IHCL  shared that there are two hotels in the pipeline for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. One will be in the cultural capital of Diriyah Gate in Riyadh with 200 rooms whilst the other will be in Mecca with an inventory of 350 rooms. ” Saudi Arabia is growing at a phenomenal pace—it’s already among the world’s top 20 economies and is well on its way to breaking into the top 10. With numerous giga projects underway and nearly a trillion-dollar economy, the momentum is unstoppable. The opportunities here are vast; it’s not just one runway, but six major runways of growth and potential. The future truly looks bright. As for Taj Hotels, we currently operate three exceptional properties in Dubai. Now that we’re well-established there and our growth in India has been remarkable, we’ve turned our attention to Saudi Arabia. We’ve already signed two hotels—one in the holy city of Mecca and another in Riyadh. We’re actively engaging with promising partners and like-minded investors who recognize the strength of our brand. And it’s not just about Taj—it’s also about the power of Brand India. There’s a strong Indian diaspora here in Riyadh, over 1.7 million people, not to mention the countless pilgrims from the subcontinent who visit Saudi Arabia. They know our brand, they trust it, and they connect with it. We’re confident that Taj will thrive in Saudi Arabia, and we’re incredibly excited about what’s ahead.”

Fairmont Ramla Riyadh announces the launch of its new ultra-luxury penthouse collection, setting a bold new standard for elevated living in the Kingdom. Located on the 33rd and 34th floors, the Fairmont Royal Penthouse spanning the top floors of Riyadh’s first branded luxury serviced residences, these exclusive duplex penthouses offer sweeping city views, exceptional design, and world-class amenities tailored for those who expect nothing less than the extraordinary. The three newly introduced penthouses—Fairmont Privilege Penthouse, Fairmont Harmony Penthouse, and the crown jewel, the Fairmont Royal Penthouse—offer between 500 to 718 sqm of refined living space across two floors. Each residence features four master bedrooms with king-sized beds, six bathrooms, a private home theater, a state-of-the-art gym, a Jacuzzi, an executive office, a fully equipped kitchen, a spacious two-bedroom maid’s room, and expansive living and dining areas. Every detail has been carefully curated to provide seamless comfort and privacy in the heart of the capital. Located on the 33rd and 34th floors, the Fairmont Royal Penthouse epitomizes grandeur. This 718 sqm residence showcases expansive lounges adorned with hand-selected furnishings, a private outdoor swimming pool, multiple balconies with panoramic views, and a cinema room. A private elevator connects both floors, ensuring discretion and ease of access throughout the home. The experience is akin to a private villa suspended above Riyadh’s skyline. “Fairmont Ramla’s new penthouse collection is a statement of prestige and refinement,” says General Manager Muhieddine Zok. “It reflects the city’s growing appetite for uncompromising luxury and places Fairmont Ramla firmly at the top tier of serviced living in Riyadh.” Fairmont Ramla Riyadh remains the first branded luxury serviced residence in Saudi Arabia, ideally located with direct access to the King …

Earth Riyadh is slated to open in Q3 2026 featuring 86 signature rooms, lofts and suites tailored for the corporate road warriors and leisure travellers seeking to immerse themselves in high energy locally connected experiences. The design, fresh and unapologetically youthful, is the “third place” locals , visitors and the creatives of this vibrant city can enjoy with authentic community engaging spaces, events and activations are a focus of the brand all year round.. More than a hotel, Earth Riyadh is an experience – one that fuses the pulse of Saudi culture with laid-back vibes, bold locally inspired designs, and purposeful hospitality. Located in the Al Maathar district, close key attractions and the Diplomatic Quarter. From a vibrant Eatery bar and lounge to a boutique wellbeing space , a music room, co-working zone, and rooftop lounge, this is where style and substance intersect. Following closely behind is Earth Hotel and Living Jeddah Waterfront, launching in Q3 2027. Positioned on a prime waterfront plot set to create Jeddah’s first integrated urban community by the sea. The property will offer a unique hybrid hospitality and entertainment experience with a place to stay, live, dine and entertain. Its design shall be inspired by the hertiage architecture of the region with a modern take- housing 110 hotel rooms and 179 fully serviced “Earth living” apartments. Earth Jeddah is designed to bring together travelers and locals in spaces that inspire connection and wellbeing. Earth Jeddah will feature co-working zones, event and social spaces , a retail component accessible from the waterfront corniche. Guests can recharge in an expansive wellbeing and longjevity hub offering cryotherapy, float therapy, and high-performance training zones to name a few. It’s bold, …

flynas launched direct flights between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi further expanding in the UAE market in line with flynas growth and expansion plan, launched under the title “We Connect the World to the Kingdom,” in parallel with the objectives of the National Civil Aviation Strategy to enable national air carriers to contribute to connecting KSA with 250 International destinations and to accommodate 330 million passengers and to host 150 million tourists yearly by 2030 and the objectives of the Pilgrims Experience Program (PEP) to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques. An inaugural ceremony was held at King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh on Thursday, April 10, and attended by representatives from flynas and Riyadh Airports Company, which manages and operates KKIA, to celebrate flynas maiden direct flight between the Saudi capital and the Emirati capital, further consolidating flynas position as the largest air carrier connecting the two brotherly countries with more than 20 daily flights. Starting 10 April, three weekly flights will be operated between King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Shaikh Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Traveling guests on the departing inaugural flight were welcomed with giveaways. The leading LCC is now the only KSA carrier serving the four major airports in UAE with direct flights operated from flynas’ main bases in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah. flynas operates 139 routes to more than 70 domestic and international destinations in 30 countries with more than 1500 weekly flights and has flown more than 80 million passengers since its launch in 2007, with the aim to reach 165 domestic and international destinations within its growth and expansion plan, and in line with the objectives …

Al Nakhla Investment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed an agreement with Marriott International to open a Residence Inn by Marriott in Riyadh. This development marks a significant milestone in Al Nakhla Investment’s ongoing efforts to diversify and expand its regional hospitality portfolio. The new Residence Inn by Marriott Riyadh will be strategically located in one of the city’s most vibrant and rapidly developing areas, offering long-term travelers and business professionals an exceptional blend of comfort, convenience, and modern amenities. The property will feature a selection of spacious suites and units designed to cater to guests seeking short or long stays, with fully equipped kitchens, separate living and sleeping areas, and state-of-the-art facilities. This agreement is part of a broader strategic collaboration between Al Nakhla Investment and Marriott International to bring world-class hospitality experiences to the Kingdom. The collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to boost tourism, attract international investment, and develop the Kingdom’s hospitality sector. Speaking on the occasion, Momen Dowji, Business Development Manager of Al Nakhla Investment, said, “We are thrilled to work with Marriott International to bring the Residence Inn by Marriott brand to Riyadh. This agreement aligns with our strategy to expand our footprint in the hospitality sector and contribute to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism and business travel markets. We believe that the Residence Inn will offer a unique value proposition to both business and leisure travelers seeking high-quality, longer-stay accommodation in the heart of Riyadh.” Introducing Residence Inn by Marriott in Riyadh will add to the city’s growing array of hospitality options, catering to a diverse range of travelers. With its focus on long-term stays, Residence …

Accor introduces the Mercure brand to Riyadh with the opening of Mercure Riyadh Al Anood. This marks the only Mercure hotel in the capital, offering a distinctive blend of comfort and authentic local experiences. Situated in the vibrant Al Murabba district, Mercure Riyadh Al Anood provides easy access to the city’s commercial and cultural landmarks. It is located near Faisaliah Tower and the Diplomatic Quarter, with King Khaled International Airport just 20 kilometers away, making it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers. Paul Stevens, Chief Operating Officer of the Premium, Midscale & Economy Division, Middle East, Africa & Türkiye at Accor, emphasized the significance of this launch. “Opening Mercure Riyadh Al Anood is a major step in expanding the Mercure brand across the Kingdom. With this new property, we continue to offer experiences rooted in the local culture, enhancing our guests’ connection to the city through our ‘Discover Local’ program.” The hotel offers 135 elegantly designed rooms and suites, including Superior Rooms, Privilege Rooms, and Junior Suites, all equipped with modern amenities. Each room provides guests with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, minibars, digital safes, and in-room dining options, ensuring a comfortable stay tailored to meet the needs of every traveler. Dining at Mercure Riyadh Al Anood promises a memorable experience. Guests can savor a variety of international and Arabic dishes at Les Bernaches Restaurant, which features live cooking stations. La Vie Café Lounge offers light meals and specialty coffees from morning until late evening, with extended hours on weekends. For a more relaxed ambiance, La Maison Pool Lounge on the terrace serves refreshing drinks, exotic cocktails, and snacks, allowing guests to unwind while enjoying views of the …

SAUDIA has launched its seasonal flights to Phuket, marking its second destination in the Kingdom of Thailand after the capital, Bangkok. Musaed Almusaed, Assistant Vice President, International Regions at SAUDIA, stated: “SAUDIA has scheduled flights between Jeddah, Riyadh, and Phuket, offering 12 weekly flights in both directions. We are committed to enhancing our competitive position and expanding our reach to new destinations, whether scheduled or seasonal. This aligns with the unprecedented and fundamental development of our services, aimed at enriching the travel experience at all stages and exceeding our guests’ expectations.” SAUDIA operates flights to over 100 destinations across four continents, leveraging its current fleet of 144 diverse Boeing and Airbus aircraft. With plans to add 130 new aircraft, SAUDIA aims to expand seating capacity and increase the frequency of flights to existing destinations while also reaching new international markets, contributing to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by bringing the world to the Kingdom.

Emirates has introduced Chauffeur-Drive Services (CDS) in Riyadh, further elevating the travel experience for discerning premium passengers arriving at and departing from King Khalid International Airport. Emirates customers travelling in First and Business Class will enjoy a stress-free, comfortable journey with a door-to-door experience that reflects the airline’s exceptional onboard experience and premium services. First and Business Class customers can request for CDS on any of the airline’s three daily flights to and from Riyadh. The exclusive service is complimentary for customers within a 100-kilometre radius of the airport. Excess Mileage will apply for areas beyond the served radius*. Emirates Chauffeur-Drive Services are currently offered in over 70 cities within the Emirates’ network. Emirates’ Chauffeur-Drive service can be booked through Manage My Booking option on www.emirates.com or Emirates’ call centres as well as through travel agents. Bringing a new level of comfort and luxury to Saudi Arabia. Emirates’ recent investments in its operations to the Kingdom underpin the airline’s commitment to bringing a new, heightened level of service and hospitality, both in the air and on the ground, for customers flying to and from one of Emirates’ most important markets globally.This includes a new dedicated lounge at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. The US$5.4 million, 900-square-metre lounge located in the airport’s newest Terminal 1 welcomes 190 guests at any one time, with seating tailored to the needs of business and leisure travellers. In early October, Riyadh became Emirates’ first GCC destination to welcome the airline’s refurbished Boeing 777, offering passengers an all-new Business Class cabin and highly acclaimed Premium Economy seats. The four-class Emirates Boeing 777 offers 24 Premium Economy seats, giving customers the opportunity to treat themselves to a more spacious seat …

SAUDIA announced the addition of Phuket to its seasonal destinations, making it the second city in Thailand to join its network, following the capital, Bangkok. This expansion aligns with SAUDIA’s strategic objective to broaden its international flight network and bring the world to Saudi Arabia, leveraging its young fleet and enhancing its global competitive advantage. SAUDIA will commence flights to Phuket on 2 December 2024, offering 12 weekly round trips from Riyadh and Jeddah combined. Bookings will be available through SAUDIA’s website and mobile app. Operational preparations are currently underway at Phuket International Airport to ensure an exceptional service and seamless experience for all guests. The airline will deploy its state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on the routes between the Kingdom and Phuket. These Dreamliners are equipped with spacious seating, advanced inflight entertainment systems catering to diverse guest preferences, and other premium onboard services designed to enhance the travel experience.

Cathay Pacific announced the launch of direct passenger flights to Riyadh  from 28 October 2024, further enhancing connectivity, trade and cultural exchange between its home hub, Hong Kong, and countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. Cathay Pacific marked the announcement with a signing ceremony in Hong Kong, attended and witnessed by Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung, Consul General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Hong Kong SAR, Hamad Aljebreen, Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam and Saudi Air Connectivity Program Chief Executive Officer Majid Khan. The agreement was signed by Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau, and Saudi Air Connectivity Program Aviation Development Vice President Rashed Alshammari in the presence of distinguished guests from Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung said: “The signing of the cooperation agreement marks a significant milestone for the already prospering aviation partnership between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia developed for almost two decades. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Cathay Pacific for their unfaltering support to the Government’s policies and for considering Hong Kong’s strategic development needs in their network planning. “The Hong Kong SAR Government is committed to strengthening aviation services on current major routes and routes along the Belt and Road with potential. Following Cathay Pacific’s initiative to commence services to Riyadh, we will be able to expand Hong Kong’s aviation network and enhance air connectivity between us and the Middle East, which further consolidates Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub.” Consul General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Hong Kong SAR Hamad Aljebreen said: “The inauguration of this route is a …