RIYADH

capital’s most prominent monuments constructed in the traditional Najdean style. Nearby, the World Heritage Site of Diriyah bears testament to KSA’s genesis as the original home of the Saudi royal family. Within the city itself, you would be remiss not to visit the National Museum of Saudi Arabia – a paean to the Kingdom’s heritage that is widely regarded as the finest museum in the Middle East. Elsewhere, the green open spaces of King Abdullah Park hearken back to Riyadh’s very name, which derives from the Arabic word ‘rawdah’, meaning garden. Escape the urban buzz and savour the natural splendour of KSA with a trip to the Wadi Namar valley, where waterfalls and rich birdlife awaits, or travel to the ‘Edge of the World’ at the perilous formations of Jebel Fihrayn.

This sprawling city is best viewed from the jaw-dropping heights of The Kingdom Centre with a trip to The Sky Bridge – a walkway at the tower’s summit connected by an inverted archway – that is not advised for the faint-hearted. Modern-day Riyadh is ever developing as it keeps pace with the relentless advancement of the modern world, however, Saudi’s famous Arabian hospitality is a reliable constant.

FOR BUDGET TRAVELLERS…

SLEEP: FOR SOARING SOPHISTICATION…

Located within the iconic Kingdom Tower, the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh is the height of luxury. Its interior combines authentic Saudi heritage with contemporary design to create a tasteful haven with unsurpassed personalised service. Situated on floors 30-50 of the 99-storey tower, formed in the shape of a parabola, each of the 249 rooms offers jaw-dropping views of the city and sunken marble baths for your leisure. Staff are on hand to assist Western travellers with negotiating the cultural nuances of the Saudi capital, and the hotel’s lobby leads you directly into the popular Al Mamlaka shopping mall.

FOR 5-STAR SERVICE IN THE CBD…

You will find the luxurious Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Riyadh in the new CBD district, strategically positioned next to the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) and Riyadh Winterwonder Land. This, combined with the hotel’s inviting mixture of genuine Swiss hospitality and Middle Eastern culture, makes it the ideal option for business and leisure travellers.