ผู้เข้าพัก
31 ธันวาคม 2023
The debut of the St. Regis brand into Saudi Arabia, The St. Regis Riyadh opened in November 2023 as part of a compact, high-end mixed-use development in the western part of the city. As a brand enthusiast who happened to have work in the Diplomatic Quarter across the road, this new hotel was a natural choice for my quick trip to Riyadh. LOCATION: As referenced above, The St. Regis Riyadh forms the hospitality component of the new VIA Riyadh project, a small, luxurious development housing shops, restaurants and the hotel. Located in the western part of the city directly adjacent to the famous [or infamous, depending on how you look at it] Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, and across the Jeddah Road thoroughfare from the Diplomatic Quarter [an affluent, checkpoint-guarded residential district where the majority of embassies in the Kingdom are located]. The property is approximately 15 minutes away [on a good day] from the central artery of Olaya Street, where one can find many businesses, shops and eateries. King Khalid International Airport [RUH] is located approximately 40 minutes away by car, although this time can extend dramatically if one is caught in the city’s notorious traffic. ENTRANCE/LOBBY: The overall VIA Riyadh development is low-slung, and designed in a modern, Najdi-inspired look to pay homage to the local surroundings. With the hotel situated inside, the guest room floors only extend up three stories and contribute to a very intimate feel - fitting given the low room count of only 83 units. The hotel has a dedicated driveway and entrance at the rear of VIA Riyadh; this is important to note, since many Uber/taxi drivers are unaware of the hotel and will most likely drop you off on the Jeddah Road side of VIA Riyadh, which means you have to cross the central courtyard and enter the hotel from the terrace entrance. Signage isn’t clearly available within the courtyard, so I got lucky when I turned right and found the hotel on that side. The property’s driveway entrance is a discreet one, with a simple glass doorway and branded awning opening onto the beautiful lobby with sit-down island reception desks to the left, the lobby lounge straight ahead, and the rest of the lobby, lounge and St. Regis Bar [read: dry] to the right. A wave-shaped chandelier curls and unfolds above, and sets the tone for a refined stay ahead. Upon check-in, I was greeted by an energetic Saudi team member who acknowledged my Titanium status, informed me of my upgrade from a standard room to a St. Regis Suite, and provided information about the property. I was offered assistance with my luggage and an escort to my suite, which I declined given my travel with only a carry-on, and was shown to the lifts to the left of the reception. ROOMS: I was assigned a St. Regis Suite on the first floor, which was located off the elevator landing. A tall door opened onto a landing with a guest washroom on the right, and a table and artwork on the left that in turn led to a open-plan r
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