FACT checks into the artsy Arabian hotel in Riyadh, as it approaches its one-year anniversary.
Finding a place to stay in Riyadh that balances location with luxury can prove challenging. Still, one hotel is making its mark on the capital with its beguiling blend of Arabian hospitality and arty aesthetic. Meet Jareed Hotel.
Situated in Riyadh Boulevard, Jareed Hotel’s location is more than desirable. Located in a small enclave home to retail, restaurants and relaxation-driven concepts, the homegrown brand is one to watch.
Greeted with beaming smiles at the valet, the warmth and hospitality are evident from the moment we cross the threshold until we’re safely in an Uber following check-out. The care and attention across the Jareed Hotel’s front-of-house team is next to none. In Arabic, the word “Jareed” is associated with the palm fronds traditionally used for weaving and roofing construction in traditional Nadj Housing. The hotel uses this natural material as inspiration for touchpoints throughout the hotel, from artworks to texturing.
Make no mistake, Jareed is a boutique brand, and while the stature of the property may be small, with just 58 rooms and suites, it makes a big impression when it comes to care and comfort.
Luxury Lifestyle
Although the hotel overlooks Riyadh Boulevard, none of the noise from the street side lifestyle hub carries through into the accommodation. Our one-bedroom Boulevard Suite on the hotel’s second floor is more than spacious, comprising a charming living area replete with modern furnishings, an enormous terrace offering views of KAFD, and a bedroom designed with comfort and convenience in mind.
Considering the petite structure of the hotel when compared to some of its competitors, the suite is generously sized and could accommodate up to four guests. The swish living area is home to a sofa, small dining table, and writing desk. It’s modern while still retaining character thanks to a colour palette of steely grey accented by gold. The suite features all the mod-cons you’d expect from a hotel that’s less than a year old. Think: flat-screen televisions, a Nespresso machine and a minibar full of complimentary beverages.
The bed is one of the plushest we’ve slept in, and it’s appreciated for someone who probably spends more time in hotels than their own home. Customised bedding, a pillow menu and a spritz of pillow mist are enough to ensure every guest wakes up feeling well-rested. However, it’s the ease of the lighting and air conditioning controls, in addition to ample plug-and-play sockets for all your devices, that make a stay at Jareed Hotel such a pleasure.
Elsewhere, marble-clad bathrooms feature a double vanity, walk-in wardrobe, freestanding tub, and what is possibly the largest rainfall shower you’ll ever behold. Expect a mixture of international and local beatification with Hermes bathroom amenities and Saudi-made bath salts.
Functional facilities
Jareed Hotel may be boutique and intimate, but there is still plenty to explore. The mezzanine floor is home to Jimam Spa, offering a tranquil retreat that feels far removed from the busy Boulevard. Here, guests can discover a private spa suite with a hammam and gold-flecked whirlpool. Upstairs, the main spa area features a steam and sauna, several treatment rooms and a soothing relaxation room strung with billowing curtains. We indulge in the Moroccan Hammam (SAR 575) upon a heated stone slab and thoroughly recommend the revitalising treatment that refreshes us after being scrubbed from top to bottom with black soap.
The hotel also features two state-of-the-art fitness centres: Arena for men and AlMultaka for women. Arena is spread over two floors and features CrossFit, cardio and free-weights in addition to an outdoor swimming pool boasting skyline views.
Refined Restaurants
With two onsite dining destinations, Jareed Hotel has just enough to keep you from venturing off. Day-to-night restaurant Morini serves a bountiful breakfast amongst hand-painted frescos, but it’s during the dinner service that this New York Italian restaurant shines. An atmospheric dining room of lemon trees and a sweeping spiral staircase provide the backdrop for a memorable meal of pizza, pasta and plenty of protein. Don’t miss the grilled octopus (SAR 80), remarkably tender short ribs (SAR 200) or the lemon stuffed bomboloni (SAR 40) for dessert. Morini is a partnership with Atelier House Hospitality, the group behind Dubai’s 11Woodfire, Marea, Mohalla and RSVP.
The Living Room offers a charming lounge come co-working space where coffee and desserts are the order of choice. Take a seat amongst the shelves lined with books and trinkets in the library or unwind on the terrace with its glittering views of Riyadh’s soaring skyline.
As the first Arabic boutique property in the Kingdom, Jareed Hotel achieves precisely what it sets out to do: to create memorable stays anchored around personal touch points and personalised service whilst promoting Saudi heritage.
For an intimate stay in the Saudi capital, this Riyadh Boulevard boutique hotel ticks all the boxes.
GO: Visit https://jareedhotels.com for reservations and more information.
