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Hotels in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia opened to leisure tourism in late 2019, and the hotel landscape has been transforming ever since. What was once a country accessible mainly to pilgrims and business travellers now welcomes visitors with an e-visa, a growing portfolio of design-led properties, and destinations that range from skyscraper-packed capitals to UNESCO-listed desert oases. Whether you want a polished urban base in Riyadh, a Red Sea retreat in Jeddah, or a stargazing camp in AlUla, accommodation choices have multiplied dramatically in just a few years.

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Riyadh: the capital reinvented

Riyadh is the country's commercial engine and a city in constant expansion. Hotels here cluster around the Olaya and King Fahd Road corridors, with international brands occupying high-rise towers near the Kingdom Centre and Al Faisaliah. Expect generous rooms, large pools (often gender-segregated or family-only at certain hours), and excellent business facilities. The Diplomatic Quarter offers quieter, more residential-style stays, while the historic Diriyah district on the city's edge, the birthplace of the first Saudi state, is being developed into a luxury heritage destination with boutique mudbrick-inspired hotels opening alongside its restored At-Turaif quarter.

Riyadh suits travellers who want shopping, dining, and easy access to Saudi business or government affairs. Book closer to Diriyah or Wadi Hanifah for a calmer, more cultural base.

Jeddah: Red Sea coast and old town atmosphere

Jeddah feels softer and more cosmopolitan than Riyadh. The Corniche stretches for kilometres along the Red Sea and is lined with resort-style hotels, many with private beach access, dive centres, and views of the King Fahd Fountain. Inland, Al-Balad, the historic old town, has joined the UNESCO list for its coral-stone houses and wooden mashrabiya balconies. A handful of small heritage hotels and guesthouses have opened inside restored merchant houses, offering an experience closer to a Moroccan riad than a typical Gulf hotel.

For diving, snorkelling, or simply lazy beach days, Jeddah is the obvious choice. It's also the main gateway for pilgrims heading to Mecca and Medina, so book ahead during Ramadan and Hajj season when rates spike.

AlUla: heritage in the desert

AlUla has become Saudi Arabia's flagship tourism destination. Home to Hegra (Mada'in Salih), the country's first UNESCO World Heritage Site with its Nabataean tombs carved into sandstone, the area now hosts everything from luxury desert resorts to mid-range glamping camps. Properties are deliberately low-rise and aligned with the landscape, designed to preserve dark skies and natural silhouettes. Expect curated experiences: hot-air balloon flights, stargazing dinners, oasis walks, and guided visits to Dadan and Jabal Ikmah's ancient inscriptions.

AlUla is seasonal. Winter months (October to March) are mild and comfortable; summer is intensely hot and many camps close or reduce capacity. Book well in advance for the Winter at Tantora season, when prices peak.

NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and what's coming next

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has spawned mega-projects along the northwestern coast. NEOM and the Red Sea Project are introducing ultra-luxury island resorts, eco-lodges, and entirely new destinations like Sindalah and Trojena. Some properties are already accepting guests, with more openings staggered through the coming years. These are firmly at the high end of the market and aimed at travellers who want pristine reefs, modern architecture, and exclusivity.

Practical tips for booking

Combining Saudi Arabia with neighbouring trips

Saudi pairs naturally with regional destinations. Many visitors combine it with the UAE for contrasting Gulf experiences, with Jordan for a Nabataean trail linking Hegra to Petra, or with Egypt for a broader ancient-world itinerary. Shorter stopovers in