Riyadh is Saudi Arabia's capital, a fast-changing desert city where the mud-brick Masmak Fortress, the National Museum, the Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge and the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif district in Diriyah sit within a short drive of each other.
Accommodation overview
Riyadh is a sprawling inland capital with its hotel stock concentrated along the Olaya and King Fahd Road corridor, where Kingdom Centre and Al Faisaliah Tower sit, plus the quiet Diplomatic Quarter and newer northern districts. International chains dominate; independent hotels are fewer. The city is car-dependent, although the Riyadh Metro now serves several districts, so a base near a station or on Olaya Street keeps taxi costs down. Rates are quoted in Saudi riyals (SAR), pegged at 3.75 SAR to 1 USD, and are highest from October to March when weather is mild and events fill rooms. Summer is very hot and rates soften. Alcohol is not sold anywhere in Saudi Arabia.
- Budget
- ~$59–133/night (SAR 220–500): three-star and budget business hotels
- Mid-range
- ~$93–293/night (SAR 350–1,100): four-star and serviced-apartment hotels
- Luxury
- ~$160–1067/night (SAR 600–4,000): five-star and luxury hotels
- Where to stay
- Olaya for business, malls and restaurants; the Diplomatic Quarter for quiet and green space; the Convention Centre area for events
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly
ibis Riyadh Olaya Street
Three-star budget hotel in Al Olaya, a short drive from Kingdom Centre and Olaya Street. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comMid-range
Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya
Five-star hotel in the Olaya business district, close to Olaya Street offices and malls. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comNarcissus Hotel Riyadh
Five-star hotel on Olaya Street near the Tahlia Street junction. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comRiyadh Marriott Hotel Diplomatic Quarter
Five-star hotel inside the green, gated Diplomatic Quarter, near embassies and Wadi Hanifah. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comInterContinental Riyadh
Long-established five-star hotel on King Saud Road in central Riyadh. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comSheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers
Five-star tower hotel in the Al Wurud district north of Olaya. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comHilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences
Five-star hotel with serviced residences on the East Ring Road in the Ghornata district. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comRadisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Convention & Exhibition Center
Five-star hotel beside the Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Center on King Abdullah Road, suited to events and conferences. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comFraser Suites Riyadh
Serviced apartment hotel in Al Olaya, suited to longer stays with kitchens and separate living areas. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comCourtyard by Marriott Riyadh Olaya
Four-star business hotel in Olaya on Musa Bin Nusayr Street, close to Olaya Street offices. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comCourtyard by Marriott Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter
Four-star hotel in the Diplomatic Quarter, a quiet gated district with parks and walking paths. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comHoliday Inn Riyadh-Olaya
Four-star family-friendly hotel on Olaya Street. Telephone +966 11 461 2000. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comMövenpick Hotel and Residences Riyadh
Five-star hotel with residences on the Northern Ring Road near the King Abdullah Financial District. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comDoubleTree by Hilton Riyadh Financial District Hotel & Suites
Four-star hotel and suites on the Northern Ring Road near the King Abdullah Financial District, in the same complex as Hilton Garden Inn. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comDoubleTree by Hilton Riyadh Al Muroj Business Gate
Four-star hotel in the Business Gate area of Al Muruj on the Northern Ring Road, near the King Abdullah Financial District. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comHilton Garden Inn Riyadh Financial District
Four-star business hotel on the Northern Ring Road near the King Abdullah Financial District. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comHilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya
Four-star business hotel in Al Olaya, close to Olaya Street offices and restaurants. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comNovotel Suites Riyadh Olaya
Four-star all-suite hotel on Olaya Main Street, with separate living areas suited to longer stays. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comHyatt Place Riyadh Al Sulaimania
Select-service hotel in Al Sulaimania that opened in December 2018 as the first Hyatt Place in Saudi Arabia. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comCentro Waha by Rotana
Four-star Rotana-brand hotel in the Al Murooj district, aimed at business travellers. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comHoliday Inn Riyadh-Izdihar
Four-star family-friendly hotel in the Al Izdihar district of north-east Riyadh, near the Northern Ring Road and the airport road. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comLuxury
Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre
Five-star hotel in the Kingdom Centre tower complex on King Fahd Road, with direct access to the Kingdom Centre Mall and Sky Bridge. Telephone +966 11 211 1000. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comMandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh
Five-star hotel at the base of Al Faisaliah Tower on King Fahad Road, connected to Al Faisaliah Mall. Telephone +966 11 273 2000. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comRafal Kempinski Hotel Riyadh
Five-star hotel in Rafal Tower on King Fahd Road in the northern Al Sahafah district. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comThe St. Regis Riyadh
Small luxury hotel with 83 rooms at the entrance of the Diplomatic Quarter in the Via Riyadh complex, opened in November 2023 as the first St. Regis in Saudi Arabia. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comSofitel Riyadh Hotel & Convention Centre
Five-star hotel with an attached convention centre on Al Urubah Road in the Ar Rahmaniyah district, suited to conferences and events. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comBest neighborhoods to stay
Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
Olaya
Central business and shopping district along Olaya Street and King Fahd Road with Four Seasons at Kingdom Centre, Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Hyatt Regency, Narcissus, Courtyard, Holiday Inn and ibis. Hilton Garden Inn and Novotel Suites also sit in Olaya.
Best for: All travelers
Diplomatic Quarter
Gated, leafy district of embassies with Riyadh Marriott Hotel and Courtyard by Marriott, near Wadi Hanifah parks; The St. Regis Riyadh sits at its entrance in the Via Riyadh complex.
Best for: All travelers
Al Wurud and Al Mu'tamarat
Central residential and business areas with Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers and InterContinental Riyadh.
Best for: All travelers
North Riyadh (Al Sahafah)
Newer northern district on King Fahd Road with Rafal Kempinski Hotel.
Best for: All travelers
Convention Centre and East Ring Road
Event-focused areas with Radisson Blu Hotel Riyadh Convention & Exhibition Center and Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences.
Best for: All travelers
Al Murooj and King Abdullah Financial District
Northern business area along the Northern Ring Road with Mövenpick Hotel and Residences, DoubleTree by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn and Centro Waha.
Best for: All travelers
Ar Rahmaniyah, Al Sulaimania and Al Izdihar
Residential and mixed districts with Sofitel Riyadh Hotel & Convention Centre, Hyatt Place Al Sulaimania and Holiday Inn Riyadh-Izdihar.
Best for: All travelers
Our top picks
Handpicked recommendations for every type of traveler.
Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre
Five-star hotel in the Kingdom Centre tower complex on King Fahd Road, with direct access to the Kingdom Centre Mall and Sky Bridge. Telephone +966 11 211 1000. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comMandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh
Five-star hotel at the base of Al Faisaliah Tower on King Fahad Road, connected to Al Faisaliah Mall. Telephone +966 11 273 2000. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comRafal Kempinski Hotel Riyadh
Five-star hotel in Rafal Tower on King Fahd Road in the northern Al Sahafah district. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comHyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya
Five-star hotel in the Olaya business district, close to Olaya Street offices and malls. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comNarcissus Hotel Riyadh
Five-star hotel on Olaya Street near the Tahlia Street junction. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comRiyadh Marriott Hotel Diplomatic Quarter
Five-star hotel inside the green, gated Diplomatic Quarter, near embassies and Wadi Hanifah. Rates indicative; vary by season.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
Book 4–6 weeks ahead for October–March and for major events such as Riyadh Season and conference weeks.
Rates are often 20–40 percent lower in June–August because of the heat.
Check whether the rate includes breakfast, service charge and VAT, which is 15 percent in Saudi Arabia.
Choose Olaya or King Fahd Road for walkable restaurants and malls; the Diplomatic Quarter is quieter but further from sights.
Allow for traffic: crossing Riyadh at rush hour can take over an hour, so book near the districts you plan to visit.
Hotels are alcohol-free; non-alcoholic drinks and Arabic coffee are standard.
Alternative accommodations
Beyond traditional hotels, consider these options.
Guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses offer authentic local experiences and often include home-cooked meals. Great for cultural immersion.
Serviced apartments
Ideal for longer stays or families. Kitchen facilities help save money and provide flexibility.
Hostels
Budget-friendly option for solo travelers. Dorms and private rooms available with social common areas.