Welcome to Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and until very recently, one of the least known cities in the world to outsiders. Saudi Arabia is slowly expanding its offering to international tourists keen to explore the country's rich and wonderful history, epic landscapes and relatively unknown contemporary culture. The first stop for many people travelling to Saudi Arabia for business or leisure is Riyadh. Stay in the opulent comfort of Frasers Hospitality's new luxury serviced apartments in Riyadh, Fraser Suites Riyadh.
Situated in downtown Olaya, Fraser Suites Riyadh is Riyadh's newest apartment hotel. Designed to encapsulate opulence and elegance, the property offers 95 fully-furnished Gold-Standard luxury serviced apartments ideal for those travelling for business or as tourists to the newly opened Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Designed to be an oasis of calm amid Riyadh's bustle, Fraser Suites Riyadh features an onsite dining room serving up inspired cuisine, rooftop swimming pool, steam room and sauna, 24/7 gym and Treat Suite - a day spa with relaxation at its core
Riyadh is Saudi Arabia's welcome mat to the world as the country slowly opens its doors to more than just business travellers - and it has much to offer. The desert city is at once a glittering modern metropolis with skyscrapers rising above the desert sands yet at the same time a place where stoic tradition still reigns supreme. As Riyadh has developed, it has managed to protect - even nurture - its historical wonders, working with international organisations like UNESCO to secure recognition of some of its most precious sites including Masmak Fortress, the Murabba Palace and Al Shamsiah Palace.
Visitors to Riyadh will enjoy days spent discovering the city's historical and cultural wonders, including the National Museum of Saudi Arabia and Ad Diriyah Old City. Further afield, explore Saudi Arabia's wild natural heritage with visits to the Red Sands for some quad bike adventures, and a breathtaking hike along the Tuwaiq Escarpment.
Don't miss out on the best things to see and do in Riyadh during your stay in Frasers Hospitality's luxury serviced apartments.
On the outskirts of modern Riyadh and only a short drive from your apartment hotel, you'll find Ad Diriyah Old City. The site is in some regards the birthplace of the First Saudi State, being the original seat of the kingdom's Al Saud royal family.Designated a UNESCO Heritage Site in 2010, the area has undergone a massive rejuvenation project. Wander through the mud brick and daub Al Bujairy district to gain a sense of what life used to be like before the country's rise as an oil-rich nation, and visit the restored Al Zawiha Mosque. Streetside demonstrations of traditional weaving and calligraphy add to the sense you've stepped back in time. There's a magic about the place that contrasts strongly with the skyscrapers and bustle of modern-day Riyadh.
Riyadh offers plenty of options for discerning diners of all tastes and budgets, from haute cuisine to cheap and cheerful streetside bites. Some of the best dining establishments are located conveniently close to your serviced apartments in Riyadh. For authentic Saudi-style food, look no further than The Najed Village, a large traditional restaurant serving delicious and authentic Saudi cuisine. Going with the traditional vibe, guests sit on carpets and lean back on cushions, sharing a variety of flavourful dishes including Mogalgal, a spicy lamb stew, and Sweet Sabeeb - butter and honey-soaked whole wheat pancakes. For high-end dining that takes the concept quite literally, book a table at The Globe Riyadh. The unmistakable architecture of the venue is part of the charm; the venue sits inside a golden glass sphere atop the Al Faisaliyah Tower offering 360 panoramic views of Riyadh below. The menu is French-inspired with definite nods to Saudi fare, and the High Tea is a delectable crowd pleaser.
No stay in Riyadh is complete without a visit to the National Museum of Saudi Arabia, the premier cultural and historical repository of Saudi Arabian history and culture. The museum is located a short 10-minute drive from your luxury serviced apartments on Olaya Street and is part of the larger King Abdulaziz Historical Centre, formerly a palace. The venue offers a fascinating insight into the history of the region; from Pre-Islamic times through the birth of Islam, the life of the Prophet Muhammad and his journeys through the land, and the formation of the first and second Saudi States. It's also one of the few places non-Muslims can learn more about the Haja and the holiest site in Islam, the Al-Masjid Al-Haram in the sacred city of Mecca.
In many ways, Al Masmak Fortress is considered the birthplace of modern-day Saudi Arabia. In 1902, Emir 'Abdulaziz ibn Saud Al Saud returned to Riyadh after a period of exile and wrested control of the fort from the House of Rasheed, reclaiming his family's ancestral lands. From the fort, Abdulaziz launched a campaign of reunification, uniting the houses of the region to form the Second Saudi State and usher in Saudi Arabia's age of prosperity. Located only 12-minutes south of your Riyadh accommodation, today the site is a fascinating collection of historical photography and period architecture. Next door you'll find the Souq Al Zal, a traditional souq selling handicrafts, spices and jewellery, which is well worth a visit.
Your Riyadh accommodation is the ideal base from which to launch an exploration of Saudi Arabia's stunning natural wonders. Saudi Arabia is a vast desert country with some truly spectacular scenery and a journey through the starkly beautiful landscapes, unspoiled coastlines and occasional green oases is a memory you'll cherish for a lifetime. Located a short day trip from your apartment in Riyadh, the Tuwaiq Escarpment is one of the best places to get a taste of wild Saudi Arabia. The most iconic spot along the region's hiking trails is the aptly named The Edge of the World, a towering viewpoint on the precipice of a sheer drop overlooking a vast, barren plain below. The hike to the location is achievable by most fitness levels; however you should check with a qualified guide first. The best time of day to arrive at The Edge of the World is in the hours before sunset, as the light sets the cliffs afire.
When arriving at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, the best way to reach your luxury serviced apartments in Riyadh is by private car hire (known as limousines). Speak with Fraser Suites Riyadh's friendly staff to assist in organising the right type of transport for you.