The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company announceed the opening of its long-awaited The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, which is scheduled to begin receiving guests on October 24, 2011. Situated next to the Diplomatic Quarter and adjacent to the King Abdul Aziz Convention Centre, The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh features 493 rooms and suites.
Within 213,500 sq m (52 acres) of landscaped gardens, the hotel’s stately architecture is modelled on traditional palaces and elegant Arabian residences. Native palms, 600-year old olive trees from Lebanon, and water fountains abound on the property.
Choosy guests will be satisfied with some of 49 two-bedroom Royal Suites, each measuring more than 425 sqm and 50 one-bedroom Executive Suites at 95 sqm. All guestrooms and suites are styled using the vibrant colors and ethnic textures of the region, and are equipped with wireless and wired Internet access, flat screen televisions and DVD players.
The hotel offers more than 5,800 sqm of conference space combined, including two colossal ballrooms in a separate wing that are both identical in size at 1,970 sq meters. They are complemented by two vast auditorium-styled theatres with stepped floors and built-in stages. Completing the conference area is Aubergine restaurant that cater exclusively for the invited delegates, journalists and accompanying security personnel.
Flanking the indoor swimming pool on the ground level is Hong, the Asian restaurant featuring a contemporary fusion of fresh Oriental ingredients with a western flair, and Azzuro Italian restaurant that serves authentic cuisine from the old country.
Recreational facilities include a full-service men’s health club complete with three treatment rooms. For medical emergencies, the hotel features a fully-equipped Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with separate rooms for patients.
The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh joins nine other Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts currently operating or under development in the Middle East: Bahrain, Dubai, Sharm El Sheikh, Doha, Sharq Village & Spa, Dubai International Finance Centre, Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Nile Cairo (opening respectively in 2012 and 2013.) [The Ritz Carlton]