InterContinental unveils first Riyadh resort

IHG Hotels and Resorts has unveiled an InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh Resort and Spa in Saudi Arabia, InterContinental’s first resort in the kingdom’s capital.

Positioned as the brand’s debut “urban luxury resort and spa” in Riyadh, the property recently underwent a SAR45 million refurbishment. Interior design studio Kristina Zanic Consultants were appointed for the refurbishment of the property which included all its rooms, suites, villas, dining venues and public areas. The new interior design is a contemporary take on Arabian architecture and the local heritage, and made use of natural materials, textured finishes, and organic patterns.

Located at the northern gate of Riyadh, the resort occupies 154,000 sqm of a lush green oasis with a lagoon.

It has a total of 162 guestrooms, suites and private villas each with a private outdoor swimming pool, six dining outlets and exclusive Club InterContinental privileges and lounge access.

InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh sets new standards

The InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh is the first to bring the leading Thai brand, HARNN Heritage Spa, to the Middle East.

F&B options at the resort include The Arabian Bistro (Les Palmiers) which serves international cuisine, the Café Lagoon hookah lounge, the pool bar and restaurant of Coco’s Bar and a concept café called Oasis that overlooks the infinity edge pool. Later this year the resort will introduce a fine dining Asian restaurant as well as Fumé, a boutique cigar lounge.

The resort offers an extensive range of recreational facilities including indoor and outdoor pools, two padel courts, the Grand Durrat ballroom, eight meeting rooms, and outdoor spaces too for corporate meetings and events.

“InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh Resort and Spa will set the tone for unbounded adventure in the area, marrying deep knowledge of the destination with an understanding of what luxury means to the discerning modern-day traveller,” says general manager Marc Reissinger.

Within Saudi Arabia, IHG’s operational brands include InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites and voco, with around 30 properties from the group set to open within the next three to five years.

A high-profile upcoming opening for IHG in Saudi Arabia would be the first Middle Eastern Regent Hotel that will open in the kingdom in mid-2024 along the waterfront in Jeddah. The luxury Regent Jeddah hotel will offer views of the Corniche and Jeddah’s Formula 1 racetrack.

At the other end of spectrum of the group’s hospitality brands, IHG signed a master development agreement with Tashyid for Hotel Operations in May this year to develop 12 hotels across Saudi Arabia, totaling 2,500 keys, under its Holiday Inn Express brand.

Read: IHG to debut premium Regent Hotels & Resorts in Saudi Arabia

This article originally appeared on Business Traveller Middle East.