Review: The St. Regis Riyadh

Why book?

The St Regis Riyadh is the only hotel to sit inside Via Riyadh, a bijou mall of designer boutiques, hand-picked restaurants and a cinema complex, wrapped within monumental sandstone walls at the edge of the Saudi capital’s Diplomatic Quarter. A new must-visit destination for the city, Via Riyadh comes alive in the evening with diners and shoppers, and those wanting to be seen.

Set the scene

The St Regis Riyadh nods to the hotel brand’s New York heritage as well as its new Saudi home. There's the signature Bloody Mary, alcohol-free for the kingdom; 24/7 personalized butler service; and, at Jackie restaurant, a Greek-American menu inspired by the former First Lady. A more local sense of detail is imbued in the gold-lined tea cups and the lustrous nacre decorating the doors in the 225 square-metre Royal Suite – one of only 83 rooms and suites – as well as the intimate majlis-like spaces within the hotel’s sweeping hallways and lobby areas.

The backstory

The St Regis Riyadh is the first St Regis to open in Saudi where the mighty Marriott Bonvoy, with its portfolio of 30 hotel brands, is keen to expand its footprint of luxury resorts, which include the Ritz-Carlton, The Luxury Collection, Edition and the W. Perhaps, more than any other Marriott Bonvoy brand, St Regis Hotels & Resorts carries the weight of history and tradition. The first St Regis was opened in New York in 1904 to wide acclaim by John Jacob Astor, and soon became synonymous with innovation in hospitality. The St Regis New York was famously the first hotel to introduce in-room telephones and a butler service. The Astor scion died when the Titanic sank in April, 1912.

The rooms

There are 83 rooms and suites stretched over two floors running the length of one side of Via Riyadh. From the base category, 56-square-metre Deluxe King to the 225-square-metre Royal Suite, rooms and suites are generously sized and thoughtfully decorated in soft cream and taupe, accented with gold and aquamarine tones, wooden floors, wood-lined walls, and tasteful artworks. My 104 square-metre St Regis Suite has a separate living and dining area, a bedroom and bathroom separated by sliding walls, and overlooks the adjacent palace grounds with Riyadh's low-rise suburbs appearing to stretch to the horizon. Highlights include the enormous rainfall shower, separate bathtub and amenities by Ren Skincare, Sachajuan and Sodashi. Generally, there's a keen local design aesthetic throughout the property: from the in-room gold-lined tea and coffee cups, to the lustrous nacre decorating the doors in the Royal Suite and the intimate majlis-like spaces within the hotel’s sweeping hallways and lobby areas.

Food and drink

Jackie serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, inspired by the former First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis's second marriage to the Greek shipping tycoon for its Greek-American menu. Aside from its selection of classic Greek dishes and dips, and its meat cuts which marry more robust flavors with Mediterranean herbs, it's worth stopping in to admire the gallery of black and white photographs from the 50s and 60s decorating the sweeping staircase up to the mezzanine level. Aside from mocktails served in the St Regis Bar; for nighttime entertainment, try upstairs at Stella Sky Lounge, beside the third-floor, heated pool where a DJ plays for a shisha-smoking crowd. Sushi and sashami with an Arabian spiced twist are also served from a live station. Many guests will step across the courtyard to try the starry dining options at Via Riyadh.

The spa

The St Regis Spa is a 1,240-square-metre enclave of contrasting textures, undulating, dune-like walls and expert hands. There are separate treatment and relaxation areas for men and women, each comprising four treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, exotic rainfall showers and a snow shower, as well as comfortable lounging areas. Pre-treatment, I try the snow shower, which should feel like sleet on a grey day, but leaves my skin fizzing and energized. When I finally I emerge from my 400 Journey, a 150-minute signature treatment, named after Caroline Astor’s turn-of-the-century New York social set, my skin is gold-flecked and glistening, and my muscles are softened by a 24-carat-gold hot stone massage, both courtesy of luxury UK beauty brand Amra.

The neighborhood

Beside its Via Riyadh address, the district of Diriyah is an easy drive away and a popular cultural destination. Jax, the warehouse arts district should be on your radar, alongside At Turaif, the remains of a mud-brick city, recognized by UNESCO and the birthplace of the modern Saudi state 300 years ago. Stop into Bujairi Terrace, opposite At Turaif, another high-end dining destination.

The service

From the conversation over tea with the hotel's head butler who was keen to find out whether I needed help in planning my Riyadh itinerary, to an in-room phone call to ask whether I wanted any drinks to accompany the room service I'd ordered, to the waiting staff at the restaurant, every encounter I had with staff felt genuinely positive and well-intentioned.

For families

In-room dining has a kid's menu. The heated swimming pool is not lifeguarded.

Accessibility

Parking, lobby areas, spa, fitness, dining, suites and rooms have accessible entrances with modifications for accessibility in rooms and suites. Call the hotel for specific enquiries.