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Partner Article • Sponsored by Saudi Tourism AuthorityContributing Writer

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Saudi Arabia's Hottest Hotels

Nov 07, 2022

Saudi Arabia Four Season hotel
Four Seasons Hotel Diriyah
Credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts


Saudi Arabia is home to top luxury hotels where guests can experience the ultimate relaxation and pampering in this relatively untouched destination. However, travelers also have the option to book unique lodging experiences that really showcase this emerging destination.

Some of the hottest luxury properties include the Nofa Riyadh, a Radisson Collection Resort, which is perched above the Nofa Wildlife Park and features an equestrian estate as well as a world-class golf course surrounded by sand dunes and mountains.

Guests can see more than 700 animals, including zebras, sables, giraffes, cheetahs and more.

The resort, 45 minutes from downtown Riyadh, features 57 luxurious bungalows, a show jumping arena, a polo field, a luxury health club and spa as well as the golf course and wildlife park.

Travelers can look to The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah for the royal treatment on the Red Sea. With its palatial roots, the property welcomes guests with its magnificent fountain, majestic arches and traditional Saudi hospitality.

The hotel is located on Al Hamra corniche and overlooks the Red Sea. It is a destination for international business travelers, newlyweds, pilgrims journeying to Makkah and families seeking a weekend escape. Guest rooms overlook the sea and restaurants highlight global cuisines.

Visitors to Jeddah are able to explore the city's history and culture, exploring the nearby Al Balad historic district and the Floating Mosque.

In the Eastern Province, the Sunset Beach Resort is a sanctuary in Kohbar. The five-star, private resorts occupies more than 5.9 million square feet of landscaped gardens and beaches along the peninsula facing both the Aziziyah Bay and the Arabian Gulf coastline.

Guests have the option to stay in one of Sunset Beach's 251 villas, chalets and beachfront cabanas, all of which are opulent, private and spaciously designed.

In addition to its iconic luxury properties, Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the hottest destinations for new hotel and resort openings, welcoming myriad new properties over the last couple of years.

Saudi Arabia Banyan Tree hotel
Banyan Tree AlUla

Saudi Arabia recently welcomed its first Banyan Tree property in AlUla in October 2022. Located in the Ashar Valley near the city, the luxury tented resort blends into the desert landscape and offers one-, two- and three-bedroom villas.

Also in AlUla is another unique, eco-friendly property, the Habitas AlUla Resort. The property, which opened in 2021, has already won architectural awards for hospitality design. The resort offers an immersive experience blending nature, creative expression, human connection and adventure. Ninety-six guest rooms span three tiers, including Celestial Villas, Alcove Villas and Canyon Villas. The resort features a yoga deck, a wellness and fitness center, a restaurant and a swimming pool.

In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia recently welcomed InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh Resort & Spa in the distinguished neighborhood of Banban, Riyadh. The property occupies over 1.6 million square feet of oasis and is ideal for business and leisure travelers alike. The facilities include an array of restaurants, a spa, indoor and outdoor pools and more.

In fact, IHG Hotels & Resorts operates an extensive portfolio of properties in Saudi Arabia in cities and destinations around the country that include popular brands such as Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, Voco and more.

Saudi AlUla Hegra
1/1110 Most Instagrammable Spots in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a beautiful destination that more and more travelers are discovering and one certainly worthy of a post or two on one's Instagram account. From jaw-dropping natural wonders to historically- and culturally-significant manmade structures and developments, the Kingdom boasts a robust portfolio of photogenic sites that visitors will want to add to their bucket lists. When you're not enjoying quintessential Saudi experiences or exploring the inviting Red Sea, be sure to make plans to visit these incredible locales and don't forget to bring your phone or camera. You can leave the filters behind.
Credit: Saudi Tourism Authority

Saudi hike
2/1110 Most Instagrammable Spots in Saudi Arabia

The Edge of the World. Just a 90-minute drive from Riyadh, Jebel Fihrayn, also referred to as the Edge of the World, is an unmistakable natural wonder that offers some of the best views on the planet. Forming part of the Tuwaiq Cliffs, this spectacular spot can be reached via winding desert trails that are equally as scenic.
Credit: Saudi Tourism Authority

Saudi Soudah Mountains
3/1110 Most Instagrammable Spots in Saudi Arabia

Soudah Mountains. Saudi Arabia's outdoor adventure capital sits some 9,850 feet up along the side of the country's highest mountain. Soudah is ideal for hiking and camping and the views along the way will have visitors pulling at their phones to snap an Instagram shot at every turn.
Credit: smsm mohmmad/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Saudi Al Wahbah Crater
4/1110 Most Instagrammable Spots in Saudi Arabia

Al Wahbah Crater. One of the most dramatic and rarest Instagram photo-ops can be found at the 2.5-mile-wide Al Wahbah Crater, which can be found on the western edge of the Hafer Kishb basalt plateau located about two hours from Taif and four hours from Jeddah. This otherworldly locale also requires a two-hour climb to the top but will be well worth it.
Credit: Aljohara Jeje/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Saudi Jeddah
5/1110 Most Instagrammable Spots in Saudi Arabia

Al Balad. To capture some of the world's most unique architecture during their time in Saudi Arabia, visitors can head to Al Balad in Jeddah. This colorful UNESCO World Heritage site boasts centuries-old buildings made of coral from the floor of the Red Sea that may even date back to the era before Islam.

Saudi Elephant Rock
6/1110 Most Instagrammable Spots in Saudi Arabia

Elephant Rock. Visitors to AlUla in the northwest part of Saudi Arabia can't leave before viewing Elephant Rock, also known as Jabal AlFil. Another eye-popping product of nature, this sandstone structure was even featured on Complex's recent Instagram TV series, racking up views from millions of users — even celebrities like LeBron James.
Credit: xavierarnau/E+

Saudi aerial
7/1110 Most Instagrammable Spots in Saudi Arabia

Kingdom Center. While in Riyadh, travelers must venture up to the 99th floor of the iconic Kingdom Center for remarkable panoramic views. Perched nearly 1,000 feet above the city, visitors can capture the city in all its glory from the curved Sky Bridge.
Credit: Saudi Tourism Authority

Saudi Umluj boat
8/1110 Most Instagrammable Spots in Saudi Arabia

Umluj. Dubbed the Maldives of Saudi Arabia, Umluj is renowned for its spectacular white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters that will have visitors looking like royalty on their social media accounts.
Credit: Saudi Tourism Authority

Saudi rose
9/1110 Most Instagrammable Spots in Saudi Arabia

Taif. If spring flowers are your idea of the perfect Instagram post, then be sure to visit Taif during this blooming season. After all, the beautiful City of Roses sees more than 900 rose farms produce more than 300 million flowers every spring.
Credit: da_cipher/iStock/Getty Images

Saudi Floating Mosque
10/1110 Most Instagrammable Spots in Saudi Arabia

Floating Mosque. In Jeddah, the Al-Rahmah Mosque or Floating Mosque is a can't-miss site for Instagrammers. Constructed in 1985, this serene structure sits just above the water's surface and makes for a unique photo subject when the sun is beaming down
Credit: Saudi Tourism Authority

Saudi AlUla Hegra
11/1110 Most Instagrammable Spots in Saudi Arabia

Hegra. Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient city of Hegra is an absolute must-visit for travelers to the Middle Eastern country. The well-preserved tombs here and the surrounding landscapes throughout AlUla are sure to make for breathtaking photos.
Credit: Saudi Tourism Authority

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In addition to these luxurious and unique already-open properties, there are many exciting new additions coming soon for travelers planning a trip.

There are plans for a new Armani Hotel Diriyah, the company's third property, which will be located in the Diriyah Gate Development and just 15 minutes from Riyadh.

Also in the Diriyah Gate Development will be the Four Seasons Hotel Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. The project, announced by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) will include approximately 150 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites, expansive meeting and event spaces, a wellness spa with seven treatment rooms and a fitness center, as well as two outdoor pools with private cabanas.

Anantara is also coming to the Diriyah Gate Development as is an 80-room Fauchon Boutique Hotel from the French brand and two Marriott properties, proving that Diriyah Gate is the new it destination for travelers heading to the Kingdom.

For more information on Saudi Arabia, visit their tourism hub here.

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