RiyadhTravel.com
Olaya Street in Riyadh lined with office towers

Where to Stay in Riyadh

Tower hotels on the metro, a garden suburb of embassies or a mud-brick retreat beside At-Turaif. Here is where to sleep.

In a city this large, location matters more than star rating. A hotel that looks central on a map can be forty minutes by car from what you came to see, and evening traffic is slow. Decide first what your days will look like, then choose the district.

We group the options into four areas. Olaya is the classic centre: the two landmark towers, the Blue Line of the metro and the widest choice of hotels. KAFD and the north suit travellers who want modern surroundings, the metro interchange and a quick run to the airport. The Diplomatic Quarter is quiet and green. And Diriyah and Al Hada, on the western side, put you closest to At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace. Links go to Trip.com for live rates and availability; we do not print prices, because Riyadh’s swing too widely between an ordinary week, a major event and midsummer.

Where to stay

Olaya: the central choice

Between King Fahd Road and Olaya Street, around Kingdom Centre and Al Faisaliah. Best for first-time visitors: restaurants and malls on the doorstep, and the Blue Line to the National Museum and the old town.

Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh

★★★★★

The hotel inside Kingdom Centre itself, occupying the middle floors of Riyadh’s best-known tower, with the mall below and the Sky Bridge above. The classic luxury address in Olaya.

  • Inside Kingdom Centre
  • City views from high floors
  • Mall and metro at the door
See rates & availability

Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh

★★★★★

The long-established grand hotel at the foot of Al Faisaliah Tower, now under the Mandarin Oriental flag. Polished service and a location in the middle of Olaya’s business strip.

  • At the base of Al Faisaliah Tower
  • Central Olaya location
  • Strong dining options
See rates & availability

Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya

★★★★★

A modern, reliable five-star on Olaya Street, well placed between the two landmark towers. A sensible choice when you want international standards without palace prices.

  • On Olaya Street
  • Contemporary rooms
  • Good value for the area
See rates & availability

Narcissus Hotel & SPA Riyadh

★★★★★

A lavishly decorated, classical-style hotel on Olaya with a large spa. Popular with regional visitors who like their marble and chandeliers generous.

  • Opulent classical interiors
  • Large spa
  • Central Olaya
See rates & availability

Courtyard Riyadh Olaya

A straightforward, modern mid-range hotel in the Olaya district. Comfortable rooms and dependable service at a calmer price than the big names nearby.

  • Mid-range pricing
  • Modern rooms
  • Olaya district
See rates & availability

Novotel Riyadh Al Anoud

A long-running business hotel on King Fahd Road beside the Al Anoud Tower, close to Al Faisaliah. Practical, central and usually among the more affordable international brands.

  • On King Fahd Road
  • Close to Al Faisaliah
  • Often good value
See rates & availability
See all hotels in Riyadh

KAFD and north Riyadh: modern and well connected

The financial district is walkable, lively in the evening and sits on the metro interchange with the airport line. Further north and east, large hotels along the main roads are convenient for the airport and for Riyadh Season venues.

W Riyadh - KAFD

★★★★★

A design-led hotel inside the King Abdullah Financial District, with the district’s walkways, restaurants and metro interchange around it. The livelier, younger option in the north.

  • Inside KAFD
  • Bold contemporary design
  • Walk to the metro
See rates & availability

Kimpton KAFD Riyadh by IHG

★★★★★

A boutique-style newcomer in KAFD from IHG’s Kimpton brand. A good fit if you want to stay within the district’s walkable core and prefer a smaller, more personal hotel.

  • Boutique feel
  • In the walkable heart of KAFD
  • Restaurants on the doorstep
See rates & availability

JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh

★★★★★

A large, polished five-star on King Fahd Road in the north of the city, a short drive from KAFD and convenient for the airport road.

  • North Riyadh location
  • Spacious rooms
  • Convenient for the airport
See rates & availability

Fairmont Riyadh

★★★★★

A big resort-style five-star in the Business Gate complex on the airport road, in the north-east of the city. Handy for the airport and the northern districts; a taxi ride from the old centre.

  • Close to the airport
  • Large pool and spa
  • Business Gate complex
See rates & availability
Browse Riyadh hotels

The Diplomatic Quarter: calm and green

A landscaped district of embassies, gardens and walking trails on the edge of Wadi Hanifah, with a handful of good hotels. Peaceful, safe and close to Diriyah — but off the metro, so plan on using cars.

Marriott Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter

★★★★★

A calm, modern five-star inside the leafy Diplomatic Quarter, with walking paths and Wadi Hanifah close by. One of the most relaxing bases in the city, and well placed for Diriyah.

  • Green, quiet neighbourhood
  • Walking trails nearby
  • Short drive to Diriyah
See rates & availability

Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence, Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter

Hotel rooms and serviced residences in the Diplomatic Quarter. Good for longer stays and families who want space, a kitchen and a peaceful setting.

  • Apartments as well as rooms
  • Family-friendly
  • Inside the Diplomatic Quarter
See rates & availability

Courtyard Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter

A long-standing, good-value hotel in the Diplomatic Quarter, close to the embassies and the quarter’s parks and cafés.

  • Good value
  • Close to the embassies
  • Parks and cafés nearby
See rates & availability
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Diriyah and Al Hada: beside the heritage

Diriyah’s first hotel has opened within reach of At-Turaif, with more on the way. Just to the south-east, Al Hada is home to two of the city’s grandest hotels and the Via Riyadh complex.

Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah

★★★★★

The first hotel to open in Diriyah itself: a Luxury Collection property in Najdi mud-brick style on the edge of Wadi Hanifah, within reach of At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace. The most atmospheric stay in Riyadh.

  • In Diriyah
  • Najdi-style architecture
  • Near At-Turaif and Bujairi Terrace
See rates & availability

The St. Regis Riyadh

★★★★★

A refined, intimate luxury hotel at Via Riyadh, the upscale shopping and dining complex in Al Hada, between the Diplomatic Quarter and Diriyah.

  • At Via Riyadh
  • Fine dining on the doorstep
  • Short drive to Diriyah
See rates & availability

The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh

★★★★★

A palatial hotel set in large gardens in Al Hada, built on a scale intended for state guests. Grand, formal and a short drive from both the Diplomatic Quarter and Diriyah.

  • Palace-style building and gardens
  • Large indoor pool and spa
  • Between the city and Diriyah
See rates & availability
See hotels in Diriyah

Which area suits you?

Area Good for Less good for Typical level
Olaya First visits, metro access, dining and shopping Peace and quiet; evening traffic Mid-range to luxury
KAFD & the north Modern architecture, metro hub, airport access The old town and Diriyah are further away Upper mid-range to luxury
Diplomatic Quarter Calm, greenery, walking; close to Diriyah No metro; security checkpoints at the gates Mid-range to upscale
Diriyah & Al Hada Heritage atmosphere, fine dining, special occasions Budget travellers; reaching the east of the city Luxury

Practical advice

  • Check the metro map. A hotel within a ten-minute walk of a Blue Line station saves a great deal of time and money. In summer, even ten minutes on foot is a long way.
  • Book early for winter. From November to March, and whenever a headline Riyadh Season event or a major conference is on, rooms sell out and rates can double.
  • Look at summer deals. From June to August the best hotels in the city are often heavily discounted.
  • Serviced apartments are common, good value for families and longer stays, and found in every district.
  • Budget options exist — simple hotels and furnished apartments in Olaya, Al Malaz and near the old centre — but quality varies. Read recent reviews.
  • Near the airport: for a very early flight, a hotel in the north of the city or by the airport road saves a pre-dawn crossing of town.

Wherever you stay, hotels in Riyadh do not serve alcohol, pools and gyms may have separate hours or areas for men and women, and check-in requires your passport.

Accommodation links go to Trip.com. If you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Hotels cannot pay to be listed here.
Plan your days in Riyadh

Mud-brick palaces, glass towers and a cliff at the edge of the desert

Riyadh pairs the birthplace of the Saudi state with one of the great desert viewpoints of Arabia. Compare city tours, Diriyah visits and 4x4 desert trips and book in a couple of taps.

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Good to know

Where to stay: common questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to stay in Riyadh for tourists?

Olaya for most first-time visitors: it is central, has the widest choice of hotels and restaurants and is on the metro’s Blue Line. Choose KAFD for a more modern feel, or the Diriyah side of the city if heritage is your priority.

Are there hotels in Diriyah itself?

Yes — Bab Samhan was the first to open, and more are planned as the district develops. The Ritz-Carlton and the St. Regis in nearby Al Hada are a short drive away.

Is it better to stay near the metro?

If you plan to see the city’s museums, towers and old centre, yes. If your trip revolves around Diriyah, the desert and Riyadh Season, you will be using cars anyway.

Can unmarried couples share a hotel room in Riyadh?

Foreign visitors are not asked for proof of marriage at check-in. Each guest needs to show a passport.

How far ahead should I book?

For the winter season, as early as you can — at least several weeks ahead, and longer around major events. In summer you can usually book at short notice.