Finding the best area to stay in Riyadh shouldn’t be difficult because you have a local guide like me.
Riyadh is big.
Like really big!
If you are here for a business trip or want to explore the history of the country or maybe you just want to want to try the best shawarma in the world (because priorities), you will get all that here.
OH AND YEAH!
Choosing the right neighborhood can make or break your trip in this city.
The good news?
There’s a perfect area for everyone.
Whether you want luxury, a budget-friendly stay, or just to be close to the best late-night food joints.
I have broken everything down for you so you don’t stay up late looking for things.
Plus, I’ll throw in some food tips, because let’s be real, knowing where to eat is just as important as knowing where to sleep.
Let’s start then.
Where to Stay in Riyadh
Riyadh isn’t your average city where every place looks and feels the same. Some areas will make you feel like you just stepped into 2050 with cool tech and huge skyscrapers
BUT
There are neighborhoods where you will see old souks, historic landmarks, and streets that smell like freshly grilled kebabs.
Let me give you some details about the options you get here:
Al Olaya: The Best Place to Stay in Riyadh for First-Timers
I like to call this place the main character of Riyadh. You will find all the luxury things here like hotels, restaurants, skyscrapers and the world famous kingdom center.
This place is busy, modern and puts you directly in the main scene of Riyadh.
SPOILER ALERT: This is one of the most expensive place in Riyadh.
Ad Dirah: For Luxury Travelers
Looking for a place that tells a story?
This neighborhood won’t disappoint. Ad Dirah is packed with culture and you will get to see some historic landmarks here like the Masmak Fortress, Alsafat Square (also known as Deera Square), the Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Grand Mosque, the National Museum of Saudi Arabia and Souq Al Zal.
Hotels here are budget friendly and the food is fantastic.
Let’s just say you won’t be more than 5 minutes away from a great place of Kabsa in this location.
Diplomatic Quarter: For Families
This is the place where you can chill and relax. You get access to parks, jogging trails, and international restaurants serving everything from sushi to Italian.
If you don’t like noisy areas or city centers then this is the pick for you.
Al Malaz: Budget-Friendly
Not far away from the main streets of Riyadh but this place is quite affordable.
You still get some amazing places here like the Salam Park, the National Museum, and plenty of affordable eateries where you can get a full meal without making your wallet cry.
As far as I remember it took me like 15 minutes in a taxi to go from Malaz to Olaya which isn’t bad if saving money is your priority.
King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD): For Business Travelers
Not a very “touristy” area but you will love it for its futuristic buildings and overall vibe. The place has top-tier hotels, corporate offices, and a growing number of high-end restaurants.
You can call this place the next Al Olaya of Riyadh because its popularity is growing day by day and people who love the futuristic and younger side of Riyadh visit this place more often.
Near King Khalid International Airport: For Travelers Who Need to Be Close to the Airport
If you have a short stay in Riyadh then I will highly recommend this location. You won’t get to enjoy the full energy of the city but it will save you from those last-minute traffic jams.
Best Hotels in Riyadh Based on Location and Budget
Ok so now you know the big things about each location and you most probably have decided which place will suit you based on the environment and budget.
Now let me give you my recommendations for the best hotels to stay in Riyadh.
Best Hotels in Al Olaya (For First-Time Visitors & Nightlife Lovers)
I would recommend staying in Olaya if you are a nightlife lover or want to enjoy high end malls, restaurants and cafes. My recommended hotels in this area are:
Four Seasons Hotel:
If you want ultra luxury stay in Riyadh with a view of the hotel city then this is on top of my list. Located in the kingdom tower you will get a nice view of the whole city plus an in-house gym, swimming pool and your own personal translator.
Their services and amenities include:
- In room coffee machine
- Premium WIFI
- Teleconferencing and wireless equipment
- Outdoor and indoor spaces for display
- Laundry and dry cleaning
- Kids games and amenities
Centro Olaya
If you are looking for a mid range hotel to stay in Riyadh then Centro is a good choice in terms of ambiance, service and location.
Having a central location this hotel is near all the famous restaurants and tourist spots in Riyadh. You will get access to the famous King Fahd Road and Olaya Street.
Plus, its just steps away from Tahliya Street. In terms of facilities you get:
- 156 modern and stylish guestrooms and studios with comprehensive business facilities.
- 3 different categories of rooms.
- Pool lounge and takeaway deli shop open 24 hours a day.
- Meeting rooms.
- Outdoor rooftop poolside deck.
- Multilingual employees.
- Taxi services.
Ibis Riyadh Olaya Street
For an even more affordable option I would recommend Ibis Riyadh located across the street from the kingdom center.
The hotel is clean, comfortable and has a perfect location. If you get the rooms with view you will see the stunning view of the beautiful Al Faisaliyah Centre and Kingdom Centre.
In terms of services you will get:
- Shuttle
- Fitness center
- Car parking
- Fitness center
- Bar
- Dry cleaning / Ironing
The only downside of this place for travelers is that pets are not allowed in this hotel.
Best Hotels in KAFD (For Luxury & Business Travelers)
This location is all about luxury so the cheapest hotels here will be sometimes on the expensive list. My favorites are:
JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh
Marriott hotels don’t need any introduction you know they will be ne of the best in the city. This hotel will give you an amazing view of the city and has everything that one can expect from a top notch restaurant. You will get things like:
- Swimming pools
- Spa
- Fitness center
- Meeting rooms
And many other things. Being close to KAFD this place is ideal for business travelers or those who are into the luxury views.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Convention & Exhibition Center
This is an ideal hotel for those looking to host big meetings and gatherings. The hotel has a huge lobby and a variety of room options to pick from. In terms of services you will get:
- Swimming Pool
- Restaurants
- Steam Rooms
- Hair Salons
- Spa
- Fitness center
The hotel is conveniently located near the convention center, making it ideal for conference attendees and business travelers.
Diplomatic Quarter (DQ)
What’s better than a quite area in this city which is filled with cars and traffic. For a nice serene stay the DQ is an excellent option.
The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh
If there was one word to describe this hotel it would be LUXURY.
When you step inside this hotel you will want to spend the rest of your time here. The service is top notch and the rooms feel like your own private villa. You will get every service that a 5 star hotel provides like:
- Spa
- Swimming pool
- Fitness center
- Restaurants from Italy, China and the Middle East
- All 5962 SQ MT of conference space with board rooms, and ballrooms
Vivienda Hotel Villas
If privacy is your thing then you will fall in love with this place. This hotel in Riyadh offers villa style accommodations with privacy and comfort which is ideal for those who are traveling with their families or just want some extra space.
The place offers:
- Spa
- Gym
- All day dining options
- Lounges for meetings, shows and gatherings
- Limousine rental service
Al Malaz: Budget-Friendly with Local Charm
Malaz has some seriously beautiful, luxury and budget hotels for a nice stay in Riyadh. You will get a taste of the local culture and heritage in this neighborhood with some great spots like the Salman park and Riyadh zoo. My favorite hotels in this area are:
Executives Hotel
I wouldn’t call this hotel an expensive one but it sure isn’t cheap either. This 4 star hotel will definitely impress you with its prices. You get different options of rooms and some of them even have Jacuzzis.
The hotel is just 2km away from the Al Faisaliyah Center, and 10km from the national museum of Saudi Arabia. In terms of services you get:
- Indoor pools
- floor-to-ceiling windows
- Gym
- Sauna
- Restaurants
- Cafes
Holiday Inn Riyadh Al Qasr
The hotel is 30 minute drive from the airport and has a central location which makes it accessible from almost every side of the city.
The hotel has a variety of room options like single rooms and even some luxury picks. For the services it has all those things which other big hotels offer like:
- Spa
- Fitness center
- Restaurant
- Business services
Near King Khalid International Airport
This area is ideal for those people who have short layovers or early flights because you don’t want to take risk with the traffic filled roads of Riyadh.
The area offers hotels equipped with amenities tailored for transit passengers.
My favorites in this location are:
Radisson Hotel Riyadh Airport
Located almost 10km from Roshan Front this place is more than just a stay and go hotel. The inside looks like a luxury mansion with wide open roads and palm trees surrounding the hotel.
The hotel has 471 rooms with options for singles (me), families and even private villas. You can keep exploring this hotel for days without getting tired.
Some of their animates includes:
- Outdoor pool
- Indoor pool
- Spa
- Steam room
- Gym
Movenpick Hotel Riyadh
This hotel doesn’t need any introduction. If you can think of any service this place will have it for sure. The place is close to KAFD, shopping malls and some great restaurants so even if your stay is short you will fully enjoy it.
You will get:
- Restaurants
- Cafes
- Pools
- City views
- Top notch service
