The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh

I've been to a lot of Marriott properties and a couple Ritz, so I had high expectations of a flagship location like Riyadh. I arrived around 02:00 and had, in the online reservation, both booked the night before AND stated clearly in the comments section that I'd be arriving early in the morning. Upon arrival I was informed my reservation was canceled because I was considered a no-show, and they had to make a new reservation. I explained I'd booked the night before so that I could get into my room at 2am, and that I'd explained my arrival time in the reservation. The man looked at me like I was crazy and simply kept saying my reservation had been canceled. He rebooked me at a different rate than I'd booked online, and hadn't given me my status perks. (In fact, none of my new rebooked reservation made it into my Marriott account.) However, it was 2am and I was exhausted. We sorted some of it out the next morning, but it was inconvenient to start my trip with problems. Upon checkout, I had people waiting on me and (my own fault) I failed to look at the receipt. I grabbed it and raced out, only noticing they charged me for 3 times on that initial night of arrival. 3x!!!! No doubt one was the "no show" fee which infuriates me. (Yeah, and the hassle of undoing it is something I'm STILL fighting.) The rooms weren't anything special, the food was just 'fine', and I couldn't notice anything above or beyond about it except the elaborate interior design of the lobby. And this opulence, when the service doesn't match the brand expectations, felt pretentious and fake. Its only a Ritz in name, not in service or quality, and management should be ashamed of the lack of training and ability of their front desk staff. Riyadh Ritz was a crappy experience from check in to check out, and I'd not suggest staying there. Spend your money somewhere else, and have fewer hassles.

Atmosphere: The palatial grounds were transformed with tasteful green and white décor, live traditional music, and a dignified patriotic energy. A perfect festive-refined balance. Buffet – Outstanding: An excellent blend of authentic Saudi cuisine (Kabsa, Jareesh, Saleeg) and diverse international dishes. Every item was fresh, well-seasoned, and promptly replenished. Truly five-star quality. Service – Impeccable: Despite the holiday crowd, staff delivered warm, efficient service—quick plate clearing, refilled water, and professional smiles throughout. Final Verdict: For a National Day celebration centered on exceptional local/international dining and seamless service, The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh delivers a flawless experience.

As a frequent traveler holding elite status across several major hotel brands, I can confidently say that The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, stands out as one of my favorite properties. The property just absolutely stunning design. The grand entrance and the pool are one-of-a-kind. The hotel itself is truly spectacular, but what makes the experience exceptional is the staff's dedication and professionalism. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Ala at the front desk for kindly assisting with my stay extension and recommending the spa discount. Special thanks to Ashraf for his outstanding customer service and professionalism, which truly elevated my experience. I am also grateful to Enock and Alex for making my dining experience especially comfortable and enjoyable. Lastly, Gwyan at the concierge provided a warm and memorable welcome that set the tone for a wonderful stay.

I paid 1700 USD per night to stay here and it was so far away from that price it's not even funny. Like other reviews say, the service was nowhere near Ritz expected service. The rooms are old and not nice. The only benefit to the club room is the breakfast; otherwise the food at the club is not good. The staff doesn't even know their own rules regarding where you can eat for free with a club membership when the club is closed on weekends. I have stayed at many Ritz properties and this was the worst of them all. This was a very negative experience, I do not recommend this hotel.

The hotel is absolutely over the top as far as opulence lobby. The pool is fabulous the grounds fabulous the convention center fabulous the rooms are a bit tired. The service is very strong. However, there is a very relaxed part of follow-through in Saudi. There is a huge amount of traffic getting to and from anywhere in Riyadh, which does create travel issues. What are the best things about staying at this hotel is the history that took place here. If you don’t know Google it it makes for an interesting experience as you walk through the lobby and throughout the hotel.