Jeddah Today

The labour laws of Saudi Arabia state that the employer must provide either accommodation or an accommodation allowance for all of their expatriate staff. If an allowance is paid, then the minimum amount is 25% of the basic salary. This may seem a lot of money before you come to the Kingdom, but as rents have increased so much, this amount will not normally cover expenditure for reasonable accommodation. So to attract and retain good staff, the employer provides compound accommodation as part of the employment package. This may be either on a commercial compound, or some companies rent a whole compound to house their staff where they pay all costs directly.

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Saudi Arabia for the expatriate worker can be something of an initial culture-shock.

The customs, habits and lifestyle are unique to the Kingdom and while it is easy to live in the general community, it is a lot more normal and less hassle living in a compound.

Compounds cater mainly for overseas families by providing a community or village like atmosphere with a familiar cultural ambience.

Life on compounds can range from comfortable to luxurious. They offer a safe and comfortable environment, especially for families with children. Day to day living and play is easy in the constant sun. Pools, sport facilities and recreation centres provide a variety of on-site activities and the community

social life welcomes new arrivals. Families and singles invariably build their own circuit of friends and contacts. Gardeners and 24hour maintenance make it stress free.

Since subsequent incidents around the world and within Saudi Arabia, compounds have generally upgraded their security measures. The benefit is increased security to residents but the downside is more difficult access to visitors, and some will still not let visitors drive into a compound.

Today, the key attractions of compound living are security, the extended service facilities, like transport, maintenance, sport and entertainment events. A good compound also inspires a sense of safety and belonging in a secure environment.

Description There are plenty of such developments. In varying sizes (from 500+ units to 5-7 villa units), they are all good quality housing facilities, and most of them are high standard comfortable homes. A comfortable home makes a world of difference to living in Saudi Arabia.

Rental prices of top-of-the range compounds tend to reflect: excellent location, luxurious living quarters, and extensive facilities. All compounds provide at least 2 out of these 3 characteristics.

Checking out the management of a com-

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pound is another key important clue in your successful search for a ‘home’.

Facilities You should expect all compounds to provide basic facilities such as maintenance service included in the rent, satellite television and organised activities for the residents, swimming pool(s), shopping & school bus(es), limousine (taxi) service, play-ground(s), and some form of sport facilities.

Large compounds often have additional facilities: an on-site supermarket, restaurant, hairdresser/barber, travel agent, library, information centre, bowling alley, gym, squash courts, tennis courts, a nursery and pre-school for young children and video library.

Prices Be sure what is included in the package you are paying for, and what is an additional cost. Some compounds charge for electricity and water on a monthly basis which can be high with the use of air conditioners, especially in the summer. Furnishings may be soft or hard - if you just get the basics who pays for the linen, cutlery and plates etc. If these are not provided ask your company for a start up allowance.

Satellite TV should be covered in the rent, but ask about Internet access national and international phone calls, school and shop-

ping buses, gyms and anything else you can think of. This is the time to negotiate before a contract is signed.

There also may be a deposit required, especially if you are not being paid for by a company with many employees on the compound. Also check out the terms of payment and potential discount for paying a year in advance.

The price is always dependent on the supply and demand. There has been a significant increase in prices in the last 2 years due to an influx of expatriates for certain projects and the closure of some compounds to western passport holders, and no major compounds have been built. So don’t expect that the compound you want to live in will have an immediate vacancy – you may have to go on to a waiting list or take a unit not quite suitable that may be open on that specific compound.

They range from around SR 55,000 120,000 for a bachelor’s 1 or 2 bedroom flat on a top of the range compound, to a 2 or 3-bedroom comfortable unit on a smaller compound with only basic facilities.

A yearly rental price of SR 145,000 upwards would open up a range of a spacious three plus bedroom villas on compounds, where every imaginable facility or service is available. The average rent for a furnished

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three bedroom villa is between SR130,000 and SR175,000 year. For a furnished two bedroom flat is around SR 100,000. The figures vary; but are often negotiable as the competition intensifies. It is always worth bargaining.

Final Advice Individual tastes vary and it is a good idea to get a selection of opinions on compound life from residents of different compounds.

Luxurious ones might be soul-less and quiet, old and tree filled ones have a vibrant social life. How you want to live is as much a factor in compound life as where you want to live. There will be one to suit your taste.

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Research your potential home thoroughly; visit as many as you can, even if you have limited time. Check, what is included in the rent - a price that looks more attractive than the next compound might just be the rent for the house without a furniture package, maintenance charges and utility bills.

If you have school aged children (as your wife will not be able to drive in this country) you need to consider alternative transport other than you having to involve yourself in a daily school-run. There are two possibilities: [1] either a safe compound school bus transport (which should be included in the rent) or [2] a personal driver (if your work contract provides this) for school runs. The

third alternative is to contract a limousine or taxi service (either the compound’s own, or an outside car), but this should be your last resort, as it could be very costly. Walk the course; visit the compound and speak to people who live there. Local knowledge is always valuable. Check out the gym, the tennis and squash courts, the supermarket, the restaurant as well as the housing unit.

Summary Living on a compound, as opposed to a stand-alone villa in town, enables you and your family to avoid the sense of isolation by getting to know people and building a network of friends quickly, most importantly for women whose mobility entirely depends on the transport network being set up for them.

By their very nature - with high walls and good security - compounds tend to insulate and isolate the residents from the outside world. Saudi Arabia is truly a very sociable country to live in and it is well worth experiencing some of what it has to offer culturally. Being aware of local traditions and customs and picking up a little of the language reaps huge rewards socially and will enrich your experience of living in the Kingdom.

Compounds housing western passport holders are required to have the Saudi National Guard armed security and the

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concrete barriers, cameras etc, outside for your protection. In late 2007 some compounds decided to evict westerners so as to stop subsidizing this cost. If you hold 2 different passports, note that what determines eligibility to live on some compounds is the passport you are on legally in the Kingdom. We have separated the list of compounds but please check as the owner of the compound may decide to change its status.

List of some Western Passport Compounds in Alphabetical Order:

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Arabian Homes Arabian Homes residents enjoy a comfortable and privileged lifestyle. With distinctive Andalusian style architecture, Arabian Homes Villages are beautifully landscaped and maintained to a very high standard, providing residents with a relaxed environment and convenient access to a superb range of sports and leisure facilities.

Shops and restaurants are centrally located, while numerous swimming pools and sun decks throughout the villages ensure an atmosphere of exclusivity and privacy.

Arabian Homes sports facilities are second to none and include superbly equipped gymnasiums, air conditioned squash courts and floodlit tennis courts, as well as provision for many other sporting activities - including six lanes of bowling on Sierra

Village. Professional coaching for squash and tennis is also available.

Both Sierra and Andalus Villages feature quality restaurants, with extensive menus and the added convenience of a home delivery service. Sierra Village also features a banqueting hall that can seat up to 200 people. In recent years this has become a focal point for the expatriate community, serving as the premier venue for many of the leading events on the social calendar.

Family life on Arabian Homes is well supported by friendly and helpful resident services staff. Experienced and reliable drivers operate an exclusive limousine service as well as school and shopping buses, while a high standard of environmental care guarantees a safe and secure surroundings for all. There are well stocked supermarkets, gift shops, travel agents, hairdressing salons, laundry and dry cleaners, libraries and a clinic.

An established pre-school is situated on Sierra Village for 3 to 5 year olds - and there is also a nursery for younger children. A wide range of other recreational and social activities ensures that there is always plenty to do and much to enjoy, for residents of all ages.

Arabian Homes offers a comprehensive range of property types in varying sizes

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and styles to suit all living requirements.

These include one, two and three bedroom apartments; two and three bedroom townhouses; and larger villas with a variety of different room configurations.

All Arabian Homes properties are finished and furnished to a high standard, with fully fitted kitchens, quality fixtures and fittings, modern and efficient air conditioning, multi channel satellite television, international direct dial telephones - and an optional ASDL internet service.

Montoro Apartments adjoining Andalus and sharing the facilities, provide more than 200 square metres of well planned living space.

Each apartment features 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a spacious living room, dining room, fully fitted kitchen, utility room and maid’s room. Separate driver’s accommodation is also available if required.

Sierra and Andalus - the two principal Arabian Homes Villages, are both situated in prime North Jeddah residential locations.

There are also two smaller estates in Jeddah - Marbella and Madinah Road. Arabian Homes Villages are also to be found in Riyadh and Yanbu.

For more information please visit the website www.arabian-homes.com or contact the marketing team directly by e-mail at sales@ arabian-homes.com, or by Tel: 682 2201.

Basateen Village (F6) Al Basateen is one of the better compounds in Jeddah, well-situated between Prince Sultan and King Roads on the Northern side of Jeddah. It is set in nicely landscaped gardens.

Bordering the Continental School, it has 188 modern style villas with four property types that vary in sizes and interior design, offering spacious and flexible 3 and 4-bedroom accommodation.

The residents’ facilities are comprehensive:supermarket, dry cleaners, restaurant with terrace and tea garden, four lane bowling hall with pool tables and snack bar, Health Club with gymnasium, saunas, steam rooms and spas, beauty salon, barber shop, conference room, large multi-purpose function room, squash courts, floodlit tennis, basketball and soccer courts, large free-form central swimming pool, adjacent semi-shaded children’s pool and Jacuzzi, fully equipped children’s playground and 3 large supplementary swimming pools.

All villas have digital satellite television offering 60 channels and dedicated Internet access, shopping and school buses, limousine service and a full social/activity and yearround events programme.

Contact the Compound Manager at Tel: 694 4015 ext 301 Fax 694 1019 Website: www.albasateen-village.com

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Belleview Belleview (I5) is situated next to Jeddah Prep and Grammar School and only five minutes drive away from the Continental School. The compound’s twenty-six elegant villas provide ultimate comfort and are a prime example of quality rather than quantity. The impressive villa size of 300 m2 puts it in the top three in Jeddah as a largest single accommodation after Al Basateen and Hiba Compound.

Each villa has private access from the road via remote control carport and maid’s accommodation. The top of the range facilities include a large swimming pool, children’s pool, recreation hall, children’s play room, communal barbecue area, tennis and squash courts, fully-equipped gym, mini-market, shopping and school buses and limousine service.

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Contact: Tel: 654 7666 ext: 200, Fax: 654 7666 ext 101.

Belleview 2.

A sister compound, please contact the management (above) at Belleview Compound.

Binzagr Villa Compound Binzagr Villa Compound (N5) is located on Madinah Road, opposite the Juffali Building. A well-maintained family compound with a unique ambience set in matured,

manicured gardens and consists of seventy-four 1 to 4-bedroom units with large swimming pool, squash court, health club and a recreation centre with sauna, snooker and pool room and indoor children’s playroom.

Contact: Clive Pilgrim, Tel: 667 2064 Ext 111 Fax: 667 1181.

Continental village Contiental Village is attached to the Jeddah Prep and Grammar School in North Jeddah. It is a smaller compound (26 units) with nice villas designed for western communities and particularly families. There are two large swimming pools, two children's splash pools, gym, 2 squash courts, a tennis court, small soccer field and a shop with all the necessities. A mini-market, restaurant and dry cleaning facilities are also on the compound with the addition of shopping and school buses for further convenience.

Contact Hassan on Tel : 654 8777 Lotus Compounds Lotus Compounds offer stylish accommodation in lush verdant surroundings at three locations in Jeddah. Two of the compounds, Lotus II and IV are situated just west of the British-curriculum Jeddah Preparatory and Grammar School. (H5) Lotus I is conveniently situated in Al Hamra District.

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All compound villas and apartments are spacious with marble floors, well appointed and benefit from individual covered carports. Each compound sports a large central swimming pool complex, tennis and squash courts, children’s playground and fully equipped gymnasiums. A limousine service, shopping and school buses are also provided.

Lotus I Compound offers spacious 3 and 4 bedroom villas surrounding a wellequipped recreation centre. The compound is within walking distance of a good selection of restaurants and shops.

Lotus II Compound is located in north Jeddah with convenient access to the international schools and the airport and offers 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and 3 bedroom villas.

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Lotus IV Compound, also in north Jeddah adjacent to Lotus II follows a French theme and offers a selection of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and 3 & 4 bedroom villas.

Contact: Oussama Kurdi on Tel: 654 8808.

Website: www.lotus-sa.com (For further information, see the advertisement in the Compound Section.)

Hajrayn Village Al Hajrayn (H7) is situated in north Jeddah in the Al Shatti district, near to the

Corniche and hotel resorts. A great monument – the mini on the flying carpet, is at the entrance. The 175 residential units are complemented by a wide range of facilities including mini-market, restaurant with home delivery, eight swimming pools,(one covered pool for ladies and kids), basketball court, three tennis courts, two football courts, two squash courts, volley ball court, badminton court, recreation and fitness rooms and playgrounds.

The compound is within five to ten minutes of several major expatriate schools as well as being just a short distance from major shopping malls and restaurants.

Various types and sizes are available from 1-bedroom studios to 4-bedroom villas and are offered furnished or unfurnished.

Contact: Leasing Department Tel 694 3464 Fax: 699 0639 or e-mail alhajraynvillage@yahoo.com.

Website: www.alhajrayn.com Mura Bustan Mura Bustan (K5) comprises six adjoining compounds with a total of two hundred and thirty units, ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms, east of Madinah Road, near the junction with Sari Street. Each compound is structured in a large square, with outward facing houses each villa has their own entrance and carport

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at the front, accessed via the internal roadway. The private paved areas at the back of each house open onto large landscaped tropical gardens with securely fenced swimming pool, entertaining area with built in barbecue and children’s playground.

The facilities on Mura Bustan are extensive by any standards - supermarket, restaurant with lovely colour scheme and managed

by Mercure Golden Hotel. The compound has recently opened the Tropicana garden, adjacent to the Restaurant where you can enjoy your meals & drinks in a friendly cozy atmosphere. It also has beauty salon, travel agent, gift shop, ‘internet corner’ and 24 hour security, maintenance and reception services.

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There’s a village atmosphere enhanced by the daily mail delivery service. The centrally located recreation centre is within walking distance from every unit, and is equipped with snooker and billiard tables, air hockey and table tennis. In addition there is a sauna, Jacuzzi, a mini movie hall, as well as there’re 4 tennis and 2 squash courts, and a poolside clubhouse, ideal for parties and organised activities. Moreover, an inhouse movie channel and 40 satellite television channels offer entertainment. The compound also provides a nursery and a preschool for residents’ children and runs a school and shopping bus & limousine service. For residents’ convenience, a travel

agent and hair dressing salon as well as beach front chalet are also available.

Units are available furnished or unfurnished. Mura Bustan prides itself in its swift and efficient maintenance service; by experienced staff, most who are in service since the first days of the compound’s existence. Contact: Tel: 691 0041 Email: info@mura-bustan.com.sa Website: www.mura-bustan.com. (For further information see the advertisement in the Compound Listing).

Location: Latitude : 21o 35 ‘ 13.40” N Longtitude : 39o 10’ 2.90” E Nada Village Nada Village (K3), in Al Rabwah District, is a medium-sized compound, west of Sharbatly Village. Villas - from 1 to 4bedrooms - are available furnished or unfurnished and all have a private garden. Facilities include a central swimming pool, two tennis courts, basketball court, gymnasium, supermarket, restaurant and school buses.

Contact: Tel: 692 0099 ext 221 Fax 692 0099 Ext 249 Nueva Andalucia(L6) Located just off Sari Street, behind Jarir Bookstore, this executive compound has 57 units with private parking consists of 33 three bedroom luxury villas, 7 stu-

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INITAL

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dios. 14 (two/single bedroom) luxury apartments and 3 executive suits with 5 star support service and facilities.

The compound is unique in its attention to detail its furnishing, interior decoration and audio and video package. Each open floor plan duplex has two telephone lines with free internet facility, 30 channels satellite TV and private paved area at the rear. The rest of the units are with telephone lines with free internet facility and 30 channels satellite TV.

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The central Recreation Building shades a beautiful swimming pool and Jacuzzi, and houses an international style 4-Line Bowling Alley, recreation and conference halls, fully equipped gym, Squash Court, Poolside Marbella Restaurant, Roof top Tennis court, Children games room for kids parties. Baby sitting, cleaning services, laundry facilities, limousines service, business centre with secretarial facilities are available on call.

Contact: the Compound Manager Tel: 682 3434 Ext. 314 Fax: 682 6351 E-mail: stephen_sudath@yahoo.com Website: www.andlucia.com Oasis I Compound Oasis I (L6) is a 20 villa housing compound just north of Prince Abdullah Street - 10 large three bedroom Arabic style villas with

maid’s quarters and 10 three bedroom European style town-houses. Facilities include swimming pool, BBQ, poolside recreation lounge, tennis court, fitness room and children’s playground.

Contact: Tel 660 7590 or Mobile : 050 5610608 Oasis II and III Compound Oasis II and III (M7) are located opposite the East gate of Saudia City on Prince Sultan Street has 16 two bedroom apartments and 4 three bedroom villas with swimming pool, and fitness room. Contact: Tel: 660 7590 or Mobile 050 5610608 (For further information see the advertisement in the Compound Listing).

Rawdah Compound Rawdah Compound (M6) is just south of Prince Abdullah Street in Al Rawdah district. It comprises of 26 units of white Spanish-style stucco villas that face onto the street with private entrance and carport and back on to a small private garden and a swimming pool. It also has a tennis court, squash court and children’s playground.

This compound is situated beside Siham Compound and shares the same entrance and security but each are managed by different companies. Contact: Tel 669 0006 and Mobile: 050 5610608 (For further information see the advertisement in the Compound Listing).

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Al Rumaih Compound Al Rumaih Compound (F7) is just fifty metres from the Corniche, 3 km north of the Sheraton Hotel.

contained, with shops and sports facilities.

Residential apartments have been made available to non-airline employees. Contact: Housing office Tel 682 0030 ext 4353.

Al Rumaih has 92 Furnished Villas and Apartments, split into 2 and 3-bedroom accommodation with swimming pools, Tennis and Squash courts, Recreation Hall, Gym, Sauna & Steam and Satellite Television & ADSL Internet connections.

Sharbatly Village Sharbatly Village (K3) on Prince Majed Street, is almost a small town - only ten minutes away from Saudia airport and fifteen minutes away from the international airport - nine hundred and fifty villas ranging from 1 to 6-bedrooms, all with private walled gardens, spread over half a million square metres. Properties are available unfurnished or furnished with different packages to suit all budgets.

Contact: Sales Department Tel: 699 1259 or 699 1231 ext 300

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Salmia Compound Salmia Compound (R1) is situated just east of the Makkah-Madinah Expressway, near Carrefour Hypermarket and the Abrug Al-Rughama Flag. It has 140 units. The semi-detached units and the apartments are spacious and there are extensive communal gardens. There are two swimming pools, tennis and squash courts and children’s playground as well as daily school and shopping bus services.

Contact: Tel: 640 0253 (For further information see the advertisement in the Compound Section) Saudia City Saudia City (L8) is the large housing compound for the personnel of Saudi Arabian Airlines, the national carrier. Mainly self-

The Community Centre and the Health Club provides an internet corner, aerobics studio, gymnasium, community lounge, conference room, extensive library multi-purpose rooms and travel agent.

2 additional recreation centres offer indoor and outdoor activities including: 2 glass backed air-conditioned squash courts, snooker and pool club, 2 adults and 2 children’s swimming pools. There are 3 toddler’s playgrounds, 6 tennis courts, 2 basketball/volleyball/hockey courts, 2 football pitches, skating area, mini golf and practice nets and a games room with table tennis, television, youth club, snooker and baby foot. Activities, language

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classes and sporting events are organised for residents.

Other facilities include a full a la carte restaurant with home delivery service, supermarket, newsagents, laundry and dry cleaning service, hair salon, medical clinic, dental clinic, cable television, video centre, shopping, beach and school buses, car maintenance and valeting services. Maintenance, security, fire station switchboard and limousine services are all 24 hours. There is professional staff for entertainment - organising children’s / adult events / ladies lunch - arts & crafts afternoons. Management motto is to aim to create a happy relaxed and comfortable environment and atmosphere to give residents an enjoyable stay all year round.

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Siham Compound Siham Compound (M6) adjacent to Rawdah Compound, just south of Prince Abdullah Street. It offers identical accommodation - 26 units of white Spanish-style stucco villas with private entrance and carport, backing on to a small private garden and community pool. There is also a tennis court, squash court, gymnasium, recreation room and children’s playground.

Contact the Compound Manager Mobile: 0504637130 Fax: 6426435 (For further information, see the Abulhasan Properties advertisement in the Compound Section.)

Other compounds follow in alphabetical order:

The overriding advantage of Sharbatly Village is the space - once around the village constitutes a long jog or bike ride - and the privacy afforded by a private, walled garden surrounding each and every 1-storey villa.

Abdullah Compound Abdullah Compound (H8) is very close to the British Consulate, and comprises of (seven large Spanish style stucco) villas, surrounding the pool area and mature gardens. Each villa has a double gate private entrance and carport.

Contact: Sales Department Tel: 691 0828 ext: 4622 or 4604 Fax: 639 3871 &/ or 682 0001 ext: 4607 E-mail: info@sharbatlyvillage.com Website: www.sharbatlyvillage.com (For further information see the advertisement in the Compound Section.)

The villas vary from 3 bedrooms to 4 bedroom accommodations. Facilities include a swimming pool, fitness room, satellite channels, school and shopping bus service, a private telephone line with international connections, and a separate maid & driver’s accommodation.

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Contact: the Compound Manager Tel: 652 2358 or 651 5416 Fax: 653 3939 or Mobile 050 5650 198

and 24 maintenance.

Contact Tel 665 9655 Website:www. elitecompounds.com

(For more information, see the Abulhasan Properties advertisement in the Compound Section.)

Fatma Compound Fatma Compound (L9) is located west of Saudia City, near the Business Park at the Malek Road and Sari Street intersection, and offers eight 3 bedroom villas with private double gate entrance, carport and separate maid & driver’s accommodation.

Mature gardens surround the swimming pool and area. Facilities also include a fitness room, satellite channels, school and shopping bus service, and private local and international telephone connections.

Makarim Residence-Al Andalus Makarim Residence-Al Andalus (M6) compound offers quality, long-term villa accommodation at a multi-cultural compound just off Tahlia Street, behind the Suzuki showroom and La Premenade-1 shopping center. Furnished to a very high standard, the four bedrooms each have its own bathroom. The centrally located Recreation Centre has a complete range of facilities and many of the wide variety of restaurants on nearby Tahlia Street offer home delivery service. Contact: Tel: 669 5154 Fax: 660 1651.

Web: www.makarimresidence-andalus. com Elite Compounds Elite have 3 compounds situated in Jeddah's Al-Rawdah district on the same street as Siham and Rawdah compounds.

Elite 3 has 41 modern style villas in both 2-and 3-bedroom floor plans with maids quarters, private gardens, with sports centre, satellite TV, internet access, shopping buses, swimming pools, tennis/volleyball court, squash court, community centre

Contact: The Compound Manager Tel: 652 2358 or 651 5416 / 7759 Fax: 653 3939 Mobile 050 5650 198 (For further information, see the Abulhasan Properties advertisement in the Compound Section.)

Garden City Compound Garden City (O6) is tucked away at the junction of Madinah Road and Palestine Street, next to the new NCB Bank building and New Jeddah Clinic.

The villas are large, set amongst lush vegetation with a pool, tennis court, fitness room and children’s playground. In addition to the three bedroom villa style houses the compound now has ten two- bedroom

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converted apartments.

Contact: Tel: 669 0006 or Mobile 050 5610608 Al Hamra Villas Al Hamra Villas (P7) compound has eighteen 2-bedroom and eight 3-bedroom villas, with a swimming pool, tennis court and well-equipped recreation centre. Contact: Sales Department Tel: 663 0180

Bin Mahfouz Compound Bin Mahfouz Compound (Hiba Compound) (N6) is centrally located in an attractive residential area, in the Al-Hamra district, two minutes walk from an elegant shopping area and a supermarket. The 33 luxuriously un furnished 4-bedroom villas are amongst the largest ones on the compound market at 330m2. Each villa has private shaded parking and maid’s quarters. and driver’s room. Facilities include a swim-

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ming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, fully-equipped gym, a squash courts and a tennis court, children’s playground, and satellite television.

Contact: Tel: 665 0819 Fax 665 7978.

Kindi Housing Compound Kindi Housing Compound (J4) east of Sitteen Street, near the junction with Hera’a Street, provides high quality, furnished 1, 2 and 3-bedroom properties, each with private parking and landscaped front lawn.

The compound facilities provide a perfect blend of activities and relaxation - sparkling pools and Jacuzzi, squash courts, floodlit tennis court, fitness centre, billiard table, sauna, table tennis, basketball court, children’s playground, function room (clubhouse) and kindergarten school.

School and shopping buses are also provided, together with 24 hour maintenance and security. Contact: The Compound Manager Tel: 691 0884 or 691 4947 Fax: 691 4947 ext 210 Email: khousing@sgapco.net Mubarakiah Village Al Mubarakiah Village is located in front of Abraq Al Raghamah, to east of the former Crown Prince bridge. It has 56 luxury duplex villas, each containing three bedrooms, one hall, and a kitchen. The Village provides all means of recreation and convenience, such as luxury

lounge for occasions, sports hall, tennis court, swimming pool, gardens for kids, supermarket for house shopping, laundry, in addition to school buses to serve your children and many other services offered by it for your lasting convenience. Contact: Compound Manager, Tel: 6400158 Fax 6063478 or 0503362394 Email: almubarakiah_village @hotmail.com Rania Compound Rania Compound (H5) is well-equipped for its size with two swimming pools, gym, recreation room and shopping and school bus services. There are twenty 3-bedroom 2-bathroom villas, each with private access to parking and small garden area, leading onto the communal gardens.

Contact: Tel 660 7103 or 654 9336.

Reem Compound Reem Compound (K6) is strategically located in Hera street, Al Shate district.

Also, it is only a few blocks off the Jeddah 101 Cornish sits on a total land area of approximately 3,500 m2.

Reem Compound consists of 12 villas respectively. The built up area for each villa: 230 m2. Each villa consists of 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, private entrance, 1-car remote control garage, and back yard. The other facilities include: 2 multipurpose room, adult swimming pool, kids swimming

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pool, toilets and showers by the swimming pool, kids playground, gym, Bar-B-Q area, landscaping and private gardens. Contact: Tel 682 9195.

Al Salam Compound Al Salam Compound (O2) in Al Rehab district, north of Palestine Street near the Makkah-Madinah Expressway is a comfortably sized compound with wide roadways and lots of trees and shrubs. It has 64

large, single-storey 3-bedroom villas, each with good-sized private gardens, a rarity in Jeddah. Facilities include a 25m pool (half Olympic size!), newly-renovated gymnasium, tennis and basketball courts and minimarket.

Specifically for children, there is a park and sandpit, and a Clubhouse with library, ping pong, pool table and play stations. There are also free school and daily shopping buses.

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Contact: Tel: 671 7121 Fax: 672 3767 Email: salamcompound@hotmail.com Saripalms Compound Saripalms Compound (K9) is a luxurious compound, close to the Corniche on Sari Street. It has 22 units of 3-bedroom villas and 8 units of 2-bedroom duplex apartments. A lush landscaped garden surrounds a freeform swimming pool with adjoining children’s pool, tennis courts and recreation centre, equipped with squash courts, gym and club room.

Contact: Tel: 669 0006 or Mobile 050 5610608 (For further information see the advertisement in the Compound Listing).

Shaker Village Compound Shaker Village Compound (I6) is on the eastbound side of Prince Sultan Street, just north of the History Roundabout on Hera’a Street. Shaker Village has been carefully designed to offer expatriates 104 accommodation with high living standards within a comfortable community environment.

The deluxe villas and apartments are available furnished, semi- or unfurnished. Residents have the use of many facilities and services including a swimming pool, private parking, 2 exercise rooms, 2 clubhouses, tennis and a squash court, 32 satellite

channels, split unit air-conditioning, children’s playground, shopping and school buses, organised activities and events, and 24 hour security. Contact: Tel: 694 1129 ext 401 Fax: 694 1129 ext 405 Email : shakervillage@hotmail.com Sunset Village Sunset Village (M5) is a sister compound to Belleview. Decorated and furnished to the same high standards, the sixteen luxuriously appointed 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom villas are available furnished or unfurnished. All have landscaped gardens, some private and others with private parking.

Communal facilities include landscaped gardens, two swimming pools, a recreation room, health club, Jacuzzi, steam room and barbecue area. The adjacent Sunset Hotel offers residents the use of its squash court and gymnasium, hotel limousines, laundry service and a home delivery service from the hotel restaurant.

Contact: Tel: 654 9533 or Mobile 050 3679607 Fax 655 8718 OUTSIDE JEDDAH Apart from the compounds listed above, there are several ones are located just outside Jeddah, and can offer an away-from-it-

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all environment with excellent facilities. Rental rates are less than one would pay within the city limits, to reflect the additional commuting time.

Azzam Compound Azzam Compound is situated on the road to Usfan near the Madinah Road intersection with the Makkah-Madinah Expressway, north of Jeddah. Villas are fully furnished and having facilities - swimming pool, gym, tennis court, basket ball court, supermarket, Italian & Chinese Restaurant, and have the usual facilities.

Contact: Sales Department Tel: 694 0930 ext 8000 or 8009.

Dive Village Dive Village (A6) is uniquely located on the waterfront of the Creek in Obhur, about 35 minutes scenic drive from central Jeddah.

The western run management provides special compound services like housekeeping, laundry, shopping and its facilities also include school buses, satellite television and a dive shop.

The compound also sports a swimming pool, gymnasium, multi-purpose court and facilitates a games room, restaurant and mini-market, as well as the private beach with its own marina offering boat charters, and water sports.

Contact Tel: 656 1416 Fax: 656 1288.

M & M Compound M & M Compound is north of Obhur Creek, on the ‘Beach Club’ road. A medium sized compound with plenty of greenery, and it offers European style villas with the usual facilities and services.

Contact: Sales Department Tel: 656 2145 It should be noted that not all of the compounds listed responded to requests for updated information. Whilst alternative efforts have been made to ensure the data is current, Jeddah Today cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions.

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With Jeddah as the gateway to Makkah, there has always been a demand for hotels, and this demand keeps increasing with religious tourism, businessmen from around the world, local tourists from other parts of Saudi Arabia and lots of conferences and training programmes.

The earliest hotels such as the Kaki Hotel, the Kandara Palace and the Red Sea Palace have already served generations of businessmen visiting Jeddah, but have had to modernize to face the growing competition with the next generation of prestigious establishments like the Hilton, the Westin, Rosewood Corniche, and Park Hyatt that have risen along the Corniche.

As Jeddah keeps on growing and stretching further and further along the Red Sea, expressways such as Madinah Road and Malek Road and the well engineered grid road system will ensure that which ever hotel you stay at, you’ll still only be a short journey away from your daily destinations.

There is a good range of hotel accommodation, with rooms generally available, except during Ramadan & the Haj pilgrim season, when advance reservations are strongly recommended and prices increase substantially. However, even at other times 112 you may find that your desired hotel is fully booked out so don’t leave it until the last moment to reserve.

The top end of the market is well served with the Rosewood Corniche, Qasr Al Sharq, Hilton and the new Park Hyatt which opened in June 2009, and a growing number of smaller hotels with only suites catering mainly for the Saudi families. The middle range prices are creeping upwards and now most in this list are over $145.

There are a number of other hotels listed in the classified listings at the end of the book, mainly situated around Bilad but remember you get what you pay for, and a woman may not feel comfortable in some of these places especially at night. There are also newer apartment type hotels with good budget rates under $100.

Service charges are fixed at 15% for deluxe & first-class hotels but overall, the hotels

are still exceptional value compared to the UK and the US, and a lot cheaper than the UAE. Women travelers should note that at most hotels use of the swimming pool & health club is not permitted or restricted to certain times, or there may be separate facilities.

Price guide $$$ Over $ 199 $$ 175 - $ 199 $ 151 - $ 175 Exchange rate pegged to the US $ at 3.75 The price guide compares the cost of a single room, including 15% service charge excluding breakfast.

Albilad Hotel $$ Corniche Highway, P.O. Box 6788, Jeddah 21452 Tel: 694 4777 Fax: 694 3737 Toll free: 800 244 00 66 Email: jeddah@albiladhotel.com Website:www.albiladhotel.net

It is ideally located within a tropical garden oasis facing the Red Sea on the Corniche, only 15 minutes away from the King Abdul Aziz International airport and 20 minutes from the old downtown Jeddah. Known for its traditional hospitality, the Albilad Hotel with 153 rooms, 39 bungalows provides its residents a unique opportunity to enjoy its casual atmosphere and variety of first class facilities including Health Club and the tropical garden. With its dedication to provide clients with the best possible services, the Albilad Hotel offers a wide range of dining facilities. Al Maha Restaurant and its Mediterranean terrace offer changing theme night buffets, the Falcon Cafe with International menu, the Albilad Garden with Arabic fare and the waterfall terrace for parties and big gatherings.

Albilad Wedding Hall overlooking the gar-

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den along the seaside can accommodate 350 guests. The Albilad Palace has the capacity of 500 guests and two small halls - Jasmine and Tulip can accommodate 100 and 70 guests each.

Leisure time is to be enjoyed and the Albilad Hotel has long been renowned as the holiday resort of the Red Sea! A 25 meters swimming pool, 4 tennis courts, 3 squash courts and a Sport Center get the most out of your free time. Other facilities and services include business center, airport transfers, car rental, bookshop and flower shop.

The sport and recreational facilities offer an excellent Gymnasium with the latest fitness equipment, Sauna, Steam room, Jacuzzi, and male hairdressing. Hotel guests also have automatic access to the superb private beach facilities - famous in Jeddah with its remarkable dive-site and a top standard accredited dive shop.

Casablanca Hotel $ Tel: 682 7771 Fax:682 2656 Email: info@casablanca-ksa.com Website: www.casablanca-ksa.com 153 rooms and 2 restaurants The Casablanca is located 10 minutes from Jeddah International Airport, just off Madinah road before Sari Street. Also, it is close to the City Center, the major shopping areas and the main Hospitals.

The hotel contains 153 rooms and suites. A combination of luxury, comfort and business facilities, The Jasmine Restaurant offers different International delicious food menus through the daily open buffets (breakfast / lunch / dinner.) Chao Restaurant serves Italian dishes including fresh Pizza.

They also have outside catering, 6 superb banqueting ballrooms, business center, out door swimming pool, volleyball court, bil-

liards, table tennis, sauna, Jacuzzi, steam bath and fully equipped gymnasium.

Crowne Plaza Jeddah Corniche, near junction with Palestine Street, P.O. Box 10924 Jeddah 21443 Tel: 661 1000 Fax: 660 6326 Email: info.cpjeddah@ihg.com Website: www.crowneplaza.com/jeddahsau Traveling for Success with Crowne Plaza Jeddah. Whether you’re holding a sales convention, board Meeting or informal gettogether with associates, your comfort and success are paramount.

Crowne Plaza Jeddah provides meeting services that include a 2 hour response guarantee, Crowne Meetings Director and Daily Meeting Debrief. We understand that you work better when you are more energetic, so here are some of the amenities we offer to enhance your stay: comfortably ap- 113 pointed guest room with data port & voicemail, 24 hour business center, wireless high speed internet access in guestrooms and all hotel areas, well-equipped fitness center, priority club rewards hotel loyalty program, swimming pool, and concierge service. The spectacle of King Fahd’s fountain hurling massive jets of salt water 300 meters above the Red Sea is mesmerizing, particularly at dusk when 500 spotlights give it a fairytale twinkle befitting the Arabian Nights.

Enjoy spectacular views from Crowne Plaza Jeddah. Crowne Plaza Jeddah is totally renovated in 2010, with a special location in the heart of the city and few steps near the sea, Crowne Plaza Jeddah is 20 minutes’ drive from King Abulaziz International Airport, next to the diplomatic and financial district’s steel and glass towers and just off the long Corniche road, which is characterized by unusual sculptures that line the seafront.

Jeddah’s old city, 3km to the south, is a war-

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ren of teetering houses held together with lattice-work wooden beams and coral stone dredged from the Red Sea. The 323 well-appointed rooms, comprising Single and Double bedrooms, Executive rooms, Junior, Family and royal Suites and furnished apartments with many of the rooms facing the sea. The hotel accommodation is designed for the guests looking a sound level of privacy and elegance.

In room amenities include a plush bedding, 32-inch LCD television, high-speed Internet with wireless capability, high class furniture, elegant décor, marble bathrooms and top of the line facilities. for the maximum satisfaction of elite business and leisure travelers. Each room has air-conditioning, mini-fridge, radio, satellite TV, direct-dial telephone, hair dryer, trouser press, 24-hour room service & ample free car parking.

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The hotel offers 11 meeting rooms including 1090 sq.mtrs ballroom which is considered one of the most spacious in Jeddah. The Crowne Plaza Club Floor offers 48 rooms and suites all located in the six floor and complimented with the new Crowne Plaza Club Lounge exclusive for the Club Floor residents and serving: private and express arrival and departure; free WI-FI internet usage in the Club Lounge; daily complimentary American breakfast; free tea, coffee and beverages throughout the day, and delicious complimentary snacks.

Crowne Plaza Jeddah offers 4 outlets: Al Zahra Restaurant, located at the Ground Floor, serves International buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner with live cooking station.

Crowne Grill Restaurant is totally a new concept grill restaurant in town.

The Sakura Restaurant offers authentic Japanese cuisine complete with traditional

teppanyaki and tempura specialties.

Al Mashrabia Coffee shop termed, as a “chill-out coffee zone” is the place where you can meet up with your friends Golden Tulip Jeddah $ Junction of King Fahd Street (Sitteen Street) / Old Airport Road, P.O. Box 2559, Jeddah 21461 Tel: 631 2201 Fax: 631 1350 Email: reservations@goldentulipjeddah.com Website: www.goldentulipjeddah.com 250 rooms and suites, 1 restaurant Located close to the city centre the hotel offers air-conditioned rooms, music system, 30 satellite digital TV channels & minifridge, a vast improvement on the no-frills image of the past. Complimentary services also include a health club, sauna, gym & swimming pool, use of beach bungalows and transport to & from the airport, the beach & downtown shopping.

The hotel has a business centre, travel agent, barber shop, car rental counter & gift/book shop. There are 5 Banquet Halls which for Wedding parties, Graduations, and Conferences which can accommodate from 120 to 400 persons.

Habitat Hotel $$$ P.O.Box: 24896, Jeddah 21456 Tel: 257 8800, Fax: 257 8855 E-mail: reservation@habitathotel.com.sa Website: www.habitathotel.com.sa All Suites-156 On Madinah road before Hera Street. and 10 minutes away from King Abdul Aziz International Airport.

The Habitat hotel is considered as a centralized location as it is close to the commercial district of Hera street and shopping malls, and a few minutes from Al Tahliya Street. It has direct highway access to Holy Makkah.

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The Habitat Hotel brings to Jeddah market a 156 tastefully appointed luxury suites, designed to suit the needs of both business & leisure travellers, all suites comes with one bedrooms with king bed or twin beds and all the Habitat Furniture luxurious facilities and Suites.

A separate sitting room with comfortable sofas and armchairs as well as a dining area, multi channel LCD televisions, small kitchen, mini bar, marble bathroom, hair dryer, complimentary newspaper, tea & coffee tray, free internet access, fruit basket and many more facilities to make your stay memorable.

The international restaurant offers a wide range of tasty world cuisine, and open daily for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Atrium Café: The ideal place for gathering friends and doing business meetings around coffee, tea & assortment of oriental & western pastries.

116 Jeddah terrace: Swim-up, & enjoy our BBQ life cooking while viewing Jeddah city, and try our selection of beverages menus from Non alcoholic and soft drinks with a wide selection of salads, sandwiches, burgers and ice creams. Princess Hall, & Meeting Rooms -ideal for special occasions such as weddings, seminars, conferences and small business meetings. The hotel’s selection of elegant meeting and function rooms provides the perfect setting for every kind of event.

The Business Center is located on the 3rd floor and it provides full secretarial services, High speed internet, and fax. For recreation and fitness, adjoined with the pool terrace and includes Gymnastic hall and the latest equipment health machines, Jacuzzi facilities & one out door swimming pool for adults & kids.

Other guest services include Laundry Service, wireless Internet access in lobby,

room Service 24 hrs. Large underground parking, Valet parking, rent a car desk, Travel agency (airline ticketing, flights reconfirmation and reservation) Gift shop, transportation etc Holiday Inn Al Salam Jeddah $

Kilo-2, Makkah Road P.O.Box 6582 Jeddah 21452 Tel: 631 4000 Fax: 6324194 Email: alsalam@hijeddah.com Website: www.holiday-inn.com/alsalam-jeddah 319 rooms Located in the heart of the commercial centre, on Kilo-2 Old Makkah Road, the Hotel is 35 Km away from the Airport and only 2 Km from the City Centre. The impressive building of 11 floors has well designed bedrooms, executive rooms, non-smoking rooms and handicapped accessible bedrooms and public areas.

The Hotel facilities are excellent, which include ultra-modern 4 meeting rooms, 2 large ballrooms and newly renovated open-area terrace suitable for business meetings and official gatherings from 10 to 1100 guests.

Its shopping arcade includes a gift shop, car rental, flower shop, barber parlor, perfume and oriental carpet shop. Airport transportation on request is available, 24 hour limousine service and a modern Business Center to cater for all your business service needs.

The ‘Al Roshan” Restaurant serves an international buffet of breakfast, lunch and dinner. A large variety of light snacks and beverages suitable for all ages is served at the newly refurbished Café Inn. Its recently renovated Health Club offers an outdoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room and a state of the art fitness center.

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Jeddah Hilton $$$ North Corniche, P.O. Box 128428, Jeddah 21362 Tel: 659 0000 Fax: 659 1111 Email: info_jeddah@hilton.com Website: www.hilton.com

Sample the town’s finest caviar served on silver trolleys at the Al Khayam, the Persian Restaurant. For those seeking a taste of real American fare there is always the Manhattan Diner.

388 Rooms and Suites On the fashionable North Corniche and 15 minutes from King Abdulaziz Airport sits the Jeddah Hilton. These 388 luxury rooms and suites, dramatically overlook either the Red Sea or boast views of Jeddah and the mountains behind.

The hotel superior in-room facilities such as high-speed internet access, 24 hour valet services and lobby facilities including wireless internet access in all public areas among others, ensures that the discerning needs of every traveler are met.

Guests and visitors can do their business quietly in the Executive Lounge or in one of 11 fully equipped meeting rooms, catering for 10-50. Hilton Hall one of the two stateof-the-art banquet halls, is the largest in the city accommodating up to 3500 people.

A visit to the Hiltonia Sports and Health Club heightens the sense of physical and mental well being. The sporty types can enjoy floodlit hi-tech gymnasium, tennis courts, in and out door pools and onsite bowling alley; while offering those looking to relax can enjoy the sauna, Jacuzzi, steam rooms as well the therapeutic treatments and massages.

This hotel caters for the woman traveler wanting a retreat at the Spa by Clarins on the 9th floor at the adjacent Qasr Al SharqA Waldorf Astoria hotel. Enjoy free access to a private white-sand beach club, with swimming and diving.

Don’t miss extraordinary dining with a great view. Fine continental cuisine is on the menu at the Amwaj and Safina restaurants.

InterContinental Jeddah $$$ Corniche, Al Hamra District P.O. Box 41855, Jeddah 21531 Tel: 229 5555 Fax: 229 5418 Email: Jeddah@interconti.com Website: www.intercontinental.com The prestigious, award-winning five star InterContinental Jeddah is located on the Corniche in Al Hamra, overlooking the Red Sea and Jeddah’s stunning landmark fountain. Just five minuts from the downtown and commercial district, the hotel is conveniently situated near Tahlia street’s boutique stores, the souks located on the Old Town of Al Balad and is just a 45 minutes drive to the Holy City of Makkah.

117 With 350 rooms, guests can choose between deluxe or premium rooms, as well as various types of suites which all feature balcony views. Additionally, long stay guest can opt to stay in the spacious and luxurious self catering apartments in the VIP suite building.

InterContinental also has extensive conference and banqueting facilities on sight as well as a club floor lounge. Leisure guests can enjoy the Health Club featuring an outdoor swimming pool, sauna, squash courts and SPA services. A large variety of dining choices are available.

From fresh seafood at the Fish Market to nightly international theme nights at Al Ferdaus, to succulent barbecue meat on swords at Spears and shisha and coffee at 360 Café, the hotel provides a variety of options for any guest looking for the perfect culinary experience.

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Marriott Hotel $$ Palestine Street, P.O. Box 6448, Jeddah 21442 Tel: 671 4000 Fax: 671 5990 Email: jeddah.marriott@marriott.com Website: www.jeddahmarriott.com

The hotel is centrally located on Palestine street just east of Prince Fahad (Sitteen street) in close proximity to major business establishments, consulates and not far from such mid-town attractions as the Jeddah Fountain, old town and traditional souks (markets). The adjacent Elysee Shopping Center features international brand names and a wide variety of luxury shops.

The hotel has 210 spacious rooms in two towers with seven floors each, 109 Deluxe Doubles, 45 Deluxe King-size, 52 Suites, and 2 brand new state-of-the-art Royal Suites. Hotel amenities include the largest 118 rooms in Jeddah with high-speed Internet, luxurious bedding and air conditioning, individual climate control, voice mail system, colour television with satellite channels, alarm clock etc.

Wireless internet access in all public areas and Meeting Rooms. As well as the Business centre, there are Meeting and conference rooms for 10 to 200 persons with related audio visual equipments. The line Health Club, Fitness and Recreation Center features outdoor 17x8 meter-square swimming pool, fully equipped 277 metersquare gymnasium, steam bath, sauna, jacuzzi as well as massage rooms, and a two-lane bowling alley and billiard facility.

Al Bassateen Family Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and themed dinner buffets every day. Atrium Cafe located on the lobby area and serves a superb selection of branded coffee, pastries and snacks. Other services available at the hotel include gift

shop, barber shop, carpet shop, rent-a-car

by Avis, complimentary valet parking and laundry services.

Le Meridien Jeddah $$$ Madinah Road, P.O.Box 11633, Jeddah 21463 Tel: 663 3333 Fax: 663 2333 Email: reservations.Imjeddh@lemeridien .com Website: lemeridien.com/Jeddah & lemeridien-jeddah.com Le Meridien Jeddah is situated in the centre of both commercial and business districts and 20 minutes drive from King Abdulaziz Airport. The hotel enjoys a strategic location in the heart of the new business district within walking distance of the most elegant shopping area and at 10 minutes drive from the seaside and corniche. Also nearby are the most important Hospitals, Finance houses, Banks and all consulates.

Le Meridien offers truly unique experience in every one of its stylish guest rooms and suites. Warm earth tones in addition to the luxurious sitting and work areas create an inviting ambiance for you to experience and enjoy. 293 Luxury rooms including Club Lounge Suite, 14 Diplomatic Suites, 15 Executive Suites, two Club Floors, one Non-smoking Floor and 09 Villas. All rooms have view of the Jeddah City that is continuously changing day after day. The suites are spacious and with large seating dining area with adjoining rooms that can be set as per your family and your needs.

Ballrooms: are among the largest and most flexible in their kind in Jeddah, capable of accommodating receptions of 1,100 persons in Al Fayrouz Ballroom and over 600 persons in Al Noor. Each ballroom has dedicated Bridal Suite for Ladies Weddings.

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Meeting Rooms: six meeting rooms located on the Ground Mezzanine floor offers the ideal backdrop for corporate meetings, business presentations and exclusive social events. It can accommodate 10 to 50 guests and it is equipped with IDD Telephone Lines, High Speed Internet and Audio-Visual equipments.

Cuisine: Flavours, colours and aromas combine. Le Meridien cuisine awaits your discovery. La Brasserie serves breakfast to themed night specialties with a touch of cultural and contemporary Arabic cuisine, under a chic atmosphere.

The Texan: enjoy the cuisine, Shisha and the open air terrace atmosphere will indulge your mind surely as well as free Internet will keep you in touch with your business and family. Tagine: take a special journey to the Mediterranean gastronomy in a chic and elegantly decorated 120 restaurant.

Movenpick Hotel Jeddah $$ Madinah Road, Opp. Musaadiah Shopping Area P.O. Box 2109, Jeddah 21451 Tel: 667 66 55 Fax : 667 66 44 Email: hotel.jeddah@moevenpick.com Website: www.moevenpick-jeddah.com Ideally located on the Madinah Road, opposite the Mosaedia Shopping Centre surrounded by Consulates, Ministries and Hospitals, the hotel is adjacent to the City Shopping Center Complex. King Abdul Aziz International Airport is only a 25-minutes drive away, while Jeddah City Centre is barely 5 minutes away.

140 rooms made up of 76 superior bedrooms with king-size beds, 16 superior twin bedrooms, 40 standard bedrooms with king-size beds and 8 junior suites await discerning travelers. All rooms are

equipped with individually controlled airconditioning, in-room safe deposit box, hairdryer, 220 and 110 volt electric supply, colour TV with satellite channels and direct dial facilities. The hotel features 2 restaurants and a Cafe & Takeaway: ”Spices” - the Indo-China restaurant, “Views” - allday dining restaurant and “Delicia” - Cafe & Takeaway. 24-hour room service is also available.

The hotel has 1 boardroom with a prefunction lounge, 5 meeting rooms and 1 banquet hall ideal for gala dinners, receptions, launches and seminars. Other facilities in the hotel include non-smoking rooms, internet access through wireless LAN in all guest rooms and public areas, airport transfer on request, car rental and limousine services, secured car parking, doctor on call and a gift shop.

Movenpick Resort Al Nawras $$$ North Corniche Road P.O.Box 14018, Jeddah 21424 Tel: 655 5550 Fax: 607 6833 Email: resort.jeddah.alnawras@movenpick.com Website: www.movenpick-hotels.com The resort is situated on Al Nawras, a private island off the North Corniche Road, overlooking the Red Sea. Close to the famous Tahlia shopping road, 20 minutes by car to city center and 15 minutes to King Abdul Aziz International Airport.

All 54 One Bedroom and 35 Two Bedroom suites are located directly on the Red Sea. Each suite with own private swimming pool, garden, kitchenette, lounge and satellite TV. Its Al Wadaa Restaurant offers Lebanese specialties, live seafood from the grill and mezze. Amwaj Terrace on the Red Sea offers open air with daily BBQ, Swiss dishes, snacks, salads and mezze, 24 hours in-room dining.

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Its health club is unique. It is the only health club in Jeddah with breathtaking Red Sea view and extensive fitness facilities, indoor thermal pool, gym, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, massages, beauty treatment room and private beach. And for the conferences and banquets there are 3 rooms for up to 60 persons with natural daylight and sea view.

Park Hyatt Jeddah $$$ Al Hamra District, Corniche, P.O. Box 5863 Jeddah 21432 Tel: 263 9666 Fax: 263 9777 Email: jeddah.park@hyatt.com Website: www.jeddah.park.hyatt.com Set among beautifully landscaped gardens on the Corniche of Jeddah, Park Hyatt Jeddah – Marina, Club and Spa is an innovative five-star sanctuary where contemporary luxury and exceptional service meets unrivalled views of the Red Sea and King Fahd fountain. The hotel enjoys a prime location in the very heart of the city, within the esteemed Al Hamra District at the Equestrian Club, and just minutes away from the central business district.

Business and leisure travellers are welcomed with state-of-the-art meeting and business facilities as well an impressive array of sport and leisure pursuits. The commercial and financial districts, as well as the main shopping and entertainment areas of Jeddah are nearby, making Park Hyatt Jeddah the ideal launching point from which visitors can conduct business or explore the relaxing activities of the destination.

The 142 spacious guestrooms, including 15 suites, are luxuriously appointed with the highest quality of fixtures and designs.

All rooms feature exclusive home comforts combined with business and entertainment gadgetry.

Guest rooms are generously sized for com-

plete wellbeing measuring (40 square meters) while the suites range from (80 to 200 square meters). Lavish bathrooms offer indulgences such as deep-soaking baths and rain showers for total pampering.

The Lazurde Meetings & Events Centre feature (2,500 square meters) of meeting and banquet facilities adjacent to Park Hyatt Jeddah. The Lazurde Centre is accessible by a dedicated entrance for total discretion and convenience. This elegant facility is set to play host to wedding parties, product launches, corporate meetings and conferences for up to 800 guests. The 8,100-square-foot (756 square-meter) Ballroom can be divided into three separate spaces, and additionally, the exclusive Palm Courtyard is able to accommodate up to 900 guests for outdoor events by the Red Sea. The Lounge, the central Lobby Lounge, is an elegant hub at the heart of the hotel, with 121 a modern design featuring high ceilings and deep, relaxing armchairs. Striking views across the Red Sea and King Fahd fountain provide the perfect backdrop for a light business lunch or relaxing evening. The Lounge also includes the Cigar Room, which serves a variety of high quality cigars from around the world.

Nafoura Restaurant offers the finest Mediterranean food in “freestyle cuisine” - a concept that combines an excellent chef, a dynamic menu based on organic seasonal produce and a good dose of innovation.

The design concept is a combination of high ceilings, stone flooring, contemporary interior and elegant relaxing seating. Nafoura serves from an open show kitchen and offers a large terrace featuring a traditional Middle Eastern grill station.

Andalusia is a buffet restaurant serves Moorish cuisine for dinner, and is located

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within the resort complex, adjacent to Seba, the Gentlemen’s Social Club. The open kitchen concept and lively atmosphere here provide a cozy, home-like ambience.

Dardasha Restaurant and Lounge at Evania, Ladies’ Spa, presents an elegant dining experience within the luxurious spa retreat. Offering exquisite à-la-carte dining for ladies, with indoor and alfresco seating, including a sophisticated array of traditional Middle Eastern and International cuisine.

This is the perfect spot to relax before a spa pampering, or socialize after.

Nadara, a tea and juice Lounge is located conveniently on the ground floor within the Seba sports complex and Spa, offering a casual setting in which to unwind and enjoy a variety of natural freshly made juices.

The dark wood and natural soft tones highlighted by vibrant accents provide a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere.

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Sports, Spa and Wellness Facilities include an impressive 10,000 square meter complex for an array of sports and leisure pursuits, is divided into separate ladies’ (Evania) and gentlemen’s (Seba) areas, including the Hydrotherapy Centre. Stemming from the true meaning of spa, or Sanitas per Aquas, Latin for ‘healing by water’, hydrotherapy draws upon the healing benefits of heated mineralized waters to revitalize the body and alleviate circulatory and stress-related ailments. An extensive range of massage therapies and the latest restorative and therapeutic treatments are available for total pampering and wellbeing.

Both separate sections are a haven of serenity with excellent relaxation, therapeutic and fitness facilities. A classic spa experience with a modern interpretation, where ancient healing rituals, natural spa products and traditional spa experiences using essential oils, thermal mud, algae and caviar

offers specific benefits to suit the specific needs of ladies and gentlemen.

Gymnasiums with the latest Technogym equipment, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, squash court, authentic Hamam, large Aquamedic pool, three hydrotherapy suites and seven treatment rooms with private terraces spell comprehensive wellbeing. Additionally, a beauty salon where medical and nutritional professionals are available for consultation adds convenience, as do the outdoor facilities: a tennis court, extensive private gardens and a children’s playground at Camp Hyatt.

Qasr Al Sharq $$$ North Corniche Road PO Box 7079 Jeddah 21462 Tel. 659 9999 Fax. 659 6666 Email: qasralsharq.jeddah@hilton.com www.waldorfastoria.com Qasr Al Sharq – A Waldorf Astoria Hotel or “Palace of the Orient,” an incredibly majestic hotel, offers luxury to all who pass through her doors. “Palace of the Orient” characterizes Qasr Al Sharq, an oasis abundant in elegant appointments and advanced technology. Facing the Red Sea on the main Corniche, the hotel is an authentic Arabian palace of exclusive brilliance, representative of the true Middle Eastern hospitality and luxury.

Imagine a Palace with meticulously opulent details adorning every corner, an overwhelming feeling of pure indulgence revealing a true sense of luxury. Pure gold handpicked crystal and porcelain china … the most intricate mosaic.. cultured marble .. the finest art…

Architecture, design and luxury are just the beginning of what Qasr Al Sharq has to offer. The exceptional and uncompromising service is where Qasr Al Sharq sets the

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standard internationally. Personal assistance is never more than a mere gesture away and its gracious staff will serve you around the clock with passion and the utmost attention to detail.

All 46 guestrooms and sjuites have been furnished to the highest standards with the finest Italian furniture, intricate wall decorations, gold leaf ceilings and marble bathrooms.

Professionally trained dbutlers provide personal attention to international standards to all guests around the clock.

Sophisticated communication and data technology ensures fast service delivery and personalization of each guest’s stay.

Aromi Restaurant: Contemporary Italian a la carte dining with a Venetian twist, located on the second floor, overlooking the Red Sea, seating upto 96 seats and open for lunch and dinner.

Al Shurfa Lobby Lounge: The First Floor 124 Lobby Lounge offers breakfast for residents and a large variety of Teas and Coffees, important waters and an all day dining menu.

The Lounge includes a Cigar Lunge with a wide range of cigars and paraphernalia. The Spa by Clarins: A secluded oasis of pampering for Ladies only, featuring an indoor aquamedic swimming pool, gym, steam & sauna rooms, whirpool, Clarins Body Treatment & Massage Rooms, a nail salon and a Spa Café.

Mataam Al Sharq Oriental Restaurant: The best of Middle Eastern cuisine, served in a sumptuous setting. Mataam Al Sharq is located on the second floor, overlooking the Red Sea. It has 100 seats with private dining facilities available for 10 to 40 guests. Mataam Al Sharq is open for Lunch and Dinner.

Meeting Facilities: Seven elegantly themed executive Board Rooms that can host groups ranging from 5 to 35 persons are all located on the 1st floor at Qasr Al Sharq – A Waldorf Astoria Hotel adjacently located to

Jeddah Hilton. All guests at Qasr Al Sharq enjoy access to all facilities at the adjacent Jeddah Hilton including the Hilton Health Club (for men) and a variety of restaurants.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Jeddah $$$ Al Madinah Road, P.O. Box 8483 Jeddah 21482 Tel: 652 1234 Fax: 651 6260 Email: reservations.jeddah@radissonblu.com Website: www.radissonblu.com 292 rooms and suites, 2 restaurants Perfectly located in the heart of the city, the hotel is 5 minutes from downtown and close to the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce.

With its distinctive mashrabiya windows, the 7-storey building is reminiscent of the older buildings in Balad.

Evidence of strong Arab tradition blending with classical European style becomes almost imminently noticeable on entering the lower foyer. There is a fully equipped modern Business Centre complete with global communication access and further business facilities comprise of meeting halls and boardrooms set up with every requirement that can accommodate up to 500 people.

The Al Diwan restaurant produces daily buffets and “a la carte” from international cuisine. A few more steps further on lead into the famously well-known Japanese Hokkaido restaurant.

Guestrooms and suites on all floors are furbished with state of the art services and are decorated with taste and style.

The 5th floor with direct and private lift access is designed as the Royal Club. Free high speed internet access (wireless & boadband). For health and recreation the indoor pool and the health & fitness club offers its exclusive services to guests and visitors along with access to a private beach club with diving facilities.

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Ramada Continental Jeddah $$ (Formerly called Al Harithy Hotel) Palestine Street and Madinah Road Intersection, P.O. Box 7584, Jeddah 21472 Tel : 667 0777 Fax: 667 0666 Email: info@ramadacontinentaljed.com Website: www.ramadacontinentaljed.com The hotel is ideally located at the intersection of Palestine road and Madinah Road.

Its located 15 minute drive from Jeddah International airport & the exhibition center and closer to all major travel agents, major banks, popular shopping malls, government offices and with a short distance to major hospitals and clinics.

The Ramada offers 228 spacious designer rooms, including 45 suites with 24 hours Room Service. It also offers fine dinning at its Italian, Japanese and the well known Indian and International Restaurant.

126 There is a Coffee Shop, Cigar Lounge, Billiard Lounge, Barber Shop, well equipped Fitness Center, Swimming Pool etc.

Red Sea Palace Hotel $$ King Abdul Aziz Street P.O. Box 824, Jeddah 21421 Tel: 642 8555 Fax: 642 2395 E-mail: info@ redseapalace.com Website: www.redseapalace.com The hotel comprises of 277 well appointed guest rooms and suites. Located in the heart of downtown Jeddah this is the only deluxe hotel within walking distance of the souqs of Balad. Convenient for businesses, banks, travel agents and government offices and is 30 minutes drive from the Foreign Airlines Terminal. The guest rooms and suites of all floors have been recently refurbished.

The Executive Rooms on the 6th and 7th floors offer a personalized service for VIP guests. The Al Debaran Tent, by the pool-

side offers a perfect and an attractive setting for buffet functions while overlooking the Red Sea. The La Brasserie is popular for business lunches and Friday brunch and is also open for an extensive buffet breakfast. Seafood Theme Night is held on Thursdays. The Pizzeria da Pino with Italian cuisine serves buffet and a la Carte menu daily.

The Meeting Rooms cater for up to 210 people with business services. Shuttle buses provide transport to hotel beaches & the Airport. The sport facilities comprise of a fitness centre, a swimming pool, and tennis courts.

Rosewood Corniche $$$ Corniche at Sari Street, P.O. Box 48122, Jeddah 21572, Tel: 260.7111 Fax: 260.7222 Email: corniche@rosewoodhotels.com Website: rosewoodhotels.com/corniche 127 rooms and suites The hotel is with spectacular design and unprecedented sophistication and situated in the heart of Jeddah’s Corniche (at Sari Street) in the fashionable northern corner of the city and is within easy reach of key business, diplomatic and designer shopping districts. The majority of the 127 rooms and suites looks out over the Red Sea and offers spectacular views. Rosewood Corniche offers elegance and unparalleled personal service, and is designed to cater to both the business and leisure traveler in complete harmony.

The 127 rooms and suites are individually designed and handcrafted to reflect a truly innovative and contemporary showcase of hospitality. Each guest will revel in a world of personal indulgence where they can enjoy Rosewood’s unrivalled 24-hour butler service simultaneously with the latest com-

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plimentary state-of-the-art entertainment and business solutions.

There are also nine meeting venues for up to 10 persons and one meeting room for up to 30 persons comfortably, each venue has been conceived with the latest technology.

For dining options there are the Ginza i Chome – fine dining Japanese restaurant for late lunche and dinner, Noodles blends traditional and modern Chinese culinary traditions for lunch and dinner and Habsburg serves breakfast, lunch and dinner including seafood night on each Thursdays and Friday brunch in an informal atmosphere overlooking the Corniche and Red Sea. Located on the 17th floor, the health club provides a journey into physical and spiritual wellness. The center offers the latest technology in isotonic weight machines and cardiovascular training equipment, a 128 rooftop outdoor swimming pool and hot tub with sauna and steam rooms in each set of changing rooms. With fabulous rooftop Red Sea views, the health club is a wonderful destination for rejuvenating both body and spirit.

Rotana Apartments $ P. O. Box - 15842, Jeddah - 21454 Website: rotanhoteljeddah.com This hotel has a good location in al-Hamra, Corniche near the fountain and shopping centres - just behind the Crowne Plaza and very close to The Intercontinental Hotel. Commonly used by persons who are attending conferences at these 2 hotels.3 minutes to Makkah highway. It has various categories of rooms and suites. Restaurant, coffee shop, laundry, housekeeping and business centre.

Sands Hotel $ Al-Andalus Dist.

P.O.Box 7030

Jeddah 21462 Tel: 669 2020 Fax: 660 9971 E-mail: info@sandsjeddah.com Website:www.sandsjeddah.com At equal distance between King Abdul Aziz International Airport, the business district and downtown, the Sands Hotel is situated in the fashionable Al Hamra area, within walking distance from the grand Tahlia shopping malls, commercial centers, supermarket, many restaurants, shops and dive shops. 220 elegant rooms and suites equipped with climate control central air conditioning, satellite TV and in room internet, swimming pool with a mini-gym.

You can eat Lebanese, Oriental and European daily lunch buffets, and à la carte dinner in the coffee shop, or try the Sands Shawarma sandwiches, chicken or meat, with a freshly squeezed juice outside in the fast food outlet, that you can top with a strawberry tarte or a coffee éclair at the well reputed le Nôtre French pastry shop.

Enjoy Japanese cuisine and live chef entertainment with traditional atmosphere at Benihana's Restaurant and the delicious bakery & French cuisine at Paul restaurant.

Sheraton Jeddah Hotel & Resorts $$$ North Corniche, P.O. Box 14315, Jeddah 21424 Tel: 699 2212 Fax: 699 2660 Email: reservatiions.jeddah@sheraton.com Website: www.sheraton.com/jeddah Located on Jeddah’s fashionable and exclusive North Corniche, the breathtaking view of a tropical oasis backed by the blue waters of the Red Sea will make you feel at home and at ease instantly. Just 20 minutes from downtown and King Abdulaziz International Airport, you can spend less time in transit and make the most of your day.

Sit back, relax, and take in the futuristic design, beautiful landscaping, and majestic

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fountains of the hotel. Its lobby is a great place to catch up with friends and family after a full day of business, travelling, or sightseeing. When you head back to your room, enjoy panoramic views of the coastline and breathtaking sunsets. Stay connected to home or the office with High Speed Internet Access in all guest rooms and WiFi Internet access in all public areas.

Bring everyone together for a relaxing meal at one of its hotel restaurants. From classic barbecue dishes in the tropical garden which is very pleasant when the weather is moderate, to authentic Chinese in the rooftop restaurant or international cuisine in the lobby restaurant, you’ll find something for everyone.

Find refreshment in the outdoor pool or check out the tennis and squash courts. Recharge after a long day with a visit to its fitness center and health club. Extra services 130 such as a car or chauffeur-driven limousine rental desk and a hair salon, will help you to enjoy a completely hassle-free stay.

Alhamra Pullman Hotel $ Palestine Street, P.O. Box 7375, Jeddah 21462 Tel: 660 2000 Fax: 660 4145 Email: reservations@sofitel-alhamra.com Website: www.accorhotels.com The hotel enjoys an ideal location in the heart of the business, administrative, ministries and diplomatic district, close to the city center and the sea. (1 km east of US Consulate, near Dr Sulaiman Fakeeh Hospital) and is 20 minutes from the King Abdul Aziz International Airport.

One of the earliest hotels, it has 253 newly renovated rooms include 168 superior singles, 21 executive rooms, 22 executive suites, 3 diplomatic suites, 14 executive clubs and 25 apartments. All rooms of-

fer air-conditioned comfort, with modern amenities and 24/h room service. Stylishly designed in a classical international mould and furnished with marble & dim lighting effect throughout. The guest rooms are furbished to high level of comfort each offering 24-hrs room service, satellite TV and a personal safe.

The Executive Club Floor features an express check-in/out service, personal fax, computer modem, VCR & private lounge with 24-hrs refreshment & private limousine service by Hertz.

There are 2 restaurants - ‘Villa D’Aosta’ (Italian) & ‘La Veranda (Mediterranean Restaurant) Daily buffet with authentic Mediterranean food. Additional services include WiFi Internet access, car parking, valet and dry cleaning, gift shop and barber. There is also a fully-equipped gym, jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, massage and swimming pool. Business Meeting facilities hold for up to 500 people while the business centre and the health club provide further access for guests. Water sports, a private beach and diving center are just 20 minutes away by car.

Sunset Jeddah Hotel $ Al Rawdah Street, P.O. Box 10161, Jeddah 21433 Tel: 660 5000 Fax: 664 7609 Email:sales@sunsethotel-sa.com Website: www.sunsethotel-sa.com 55 suites, 2 banquet halls, 2 conference rooms, restaurant & tea lounge Located in the heart of Jeddah, Sunset Hotel is only 20 minutes from King Abdulaziz International Airport with an easy access to the major shopping avenue, King Faisal Specialist Hospital, exhibition centre and business area. An elegantly decorated property, with spacious sunlit suites.

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The “La Fontaine Rest aurant” offers choices from the serving a variety of drinks and meals throughout the day and the “Tea Lounge” features the signature pastry complimented by finest tea, coffee and fresh juices. It also offers off premises catering. Ideal for wedding receptions and social gatherings the exquisite and spacious banquet halls can accommodate more than 500 guests.

The conference rooms are well resourced with state-of-art equipments cater all kinds of symposia. Guests have access to everything from a gym and beauty salon to a large swimming pool with cascading waterfalls, a Jacuzzi, a steam room and sauna.

The Trident Hotel $ Mina Street, P.O. Box 17466, Jeddah 21494 Tel: 647 4444 Fax: 647 4040 Email: trident@trident-jeddah.com Website: www.trident-jeddah.com 132

216 rooms, 43 suites, 2 restaurants Managed by the Oberoi Group, this superior 4 star hotel is located in the southern part of the city, near Balad, the Industrial zone and the Islamic Port. Its multi-arched architectural profile is echoed in the spacious lobby with adjoining Al Rawdah coffee shop. Rooms are modern and well furnished. The ‘Kandahar’ restaurant serves authentic ‘Moghul’ cuisine from the north of India, in a traditional atmosphere. Meeting rooms accommodate up to 350 people, while the business centre, health club, gym, sauna, massage, pool, access to beach chalets, car hire & courier service provide further comforts for guests and visitors.

Elaf Jeddah Hotel $ Red Sea Mall, Corniche Road P. O. Box: 52774 Jeddah 21573 Tel: 215 0525 Fax: 215 0535 E-mail: info@elafhotel-rsm.com Website: elafgroup.com

154 rooms and 1 restaurant Elaf Jeddah Hotel at Red Sea Mall is the latest entity in the hospitality business in Jeddah. A unique luxurious boutique style hotel, blended with modern and local culture. Overlooking the stunning blue waters of the Red Sea whilst close proximities to the Airport and City Center.

Adjacent to the most elegant shopping center in Jeddah “the Red Sea Mall”,the hotel is designed to cater the both business and leisure clientele in Jeddah, ideally considered for families, posing among the leading 5 star “International Chain” hotels bench marking its’ self at an almost equal platform to provide a service oriented atmosphere for its guests, ensuring an innovative culture, to outstand and withstand the competition in the region and establish a position of its own.

The Hotel is providing a 30% to 40% lesser price advantage with complimentary added value such as daily international open buffet breakfast, internet access, hospitality tray and one stock of beverages placed at the mini-fridge.

The hotel has a total of 154 luxurious rooms consisting of Deluxe & Superior rooms, Junior, Business, Executive and Diplomatic suites. Kinda restaurant offers delightful International and traditional cuisines. Further, the hotel offers 3 meeting rooms with the latest audio-visual equipments to accommodate small events, meetings, workshops etc. and a state of the art multipurpose banquet hall flexible to accommodate three different events at the same time. It is ideal for social events, business meetings, conferences etc..

The Lounge boasts of a trendy atmosphere featuring the perfect relaxation a guest would look for. At Elaf Jeddah hotel – Red Sea Mall, the guests’ health is of prime con-

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cern, and to meet this requirement the state of the art fitness centre positioned right at the guests’ convenience, is equipped with the latest exercise equipments, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, Moroccan bath and massage for complete relaxation, all under one roof.

Street in the heart of the business district.

All major corporations and ministries are in walking distance or only a short taxi ride away. Easy access to both the Airport Road as well as King Fahd allows you to reach King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in less than 30 minutes.

The gym offers state of the art equipments, including treadmills, strength machines and free weights.

Moreover, the hotel has established right in front of its premises a new project that includes landscape, swimming pool and multipurpose court.

Hilton Garden Inn is the award-winning, mid-priced brand that continually strives to ensure today’s busy travellers have everything they need to be most productive on the road – from complimentary wired and Wi-Fi internet access in all guest rooms and PrintSpots™ mobile printing to the hotel’s complimentary 24-hour business centre to one of the most comfortable beds with the Garden Sleep System™. So whether on the road for personal or business reasons, Hilton garden Inn offers the amenities and services for travellers to help them sleep deep, stay fit, eat well and work smart while on the road.

Elaf Jeddah hotel – Red Sea Mall has launched many innovative concepts during the past 11 months such as “Tittle-Tattle” where people used to met with the Chefs over an evening tea buffet and sharing recipes among each other every weekend at The Lounge.

Eat All You Can at The Lounge was designed to cater high quality lunch at a low price in open buffet style. Daily business lunch with a guarantee service of 45 minutes is available at Kinda restaurant.

The greatest asset is its people, who, with their impeccable personalized service and warmth make Elaf Jeddah Hotel – Red Sea Mall “the place for hospitality” HOTELS IN RIYADH HILTON GARDEN INN $ Olaya Main Street PO Box 2520 Riyadh 12611 Contact: Mr. Feroz Khan.

Tel: 01 293 5533, Mobile 056 900 1212 Fax: 01 293 5185 Email: feroz.khan@hilton.com Web: www.riyadholaya.hgi.com The hotel is located on the Olaya Main

The 180-room property is the first of the midscale, mid-priced Hilton Family of brands to enter this region. Hilton Garden Inn provides for a highly functional and comfortable experience, making travel easy and pleasurable.

Amenities include the self-adjusting, pressure-relieving Garden Sleep System® bed that can be adjusted to guests preferred firmness, an over-sized desk in each guest room, complimentary wired and Wi-Fi internet access, and a Stay Fit Kit™ for inroom workouts. Dining choices include a restaurant, room service, coffee and juice bar and the Pavillion Pantry®, a 24-hour convenience market which sells on-the-go snacks and sundries.

Three meeting rooms are provided along with a prayer room, 24-hour complimentary use of business centre, a Hilton® Precor fitness centre and car park.

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Roughly, restaurants fall handily into two

categories: table-service restaurants, and fast service restaurants. Table service can vary from the most formal - in hotels and top of the range restaurants to the friendly hurly burly of a Turkish eating house, filled with refectory tables with wholesome food served production line style. The most popular table service restaurants are family restaurants, serving several kinds of food at moderate prices.

Ethnic restaurants serve the food from a particular country and almost invariably provide take-away services. Gourmet restaurants offer unusual food from the littleknown recipes of great chefs. Generally the most expensive offer dishes emulating famous western chefs.

Some table-service restaurants offer a buffet service; many hotels choose this as a breakfast and lunchtime option and it is 138 spreading as a service style. Fast service restaurants provide mostly inexpensive food and a quick service. Most fast-service restaurants, especially the large chains, employ dieticians to make sure that their large selection of fast service food will provide a balanced diet with as much nutrition as possible. Jeddah is overflowing with restaurants. Eating out is the main social activity here and the alternatives are endless.

Trends come and go. Some restaurants may be more ‘in’ while others may go off the boil when key staff moves on. Jeddah has its rich and its poor, but equally both can find large varieties to suit their mood, occasion, and the wallet. So, go and enjoy.

A word of warning to the unwary or newcomer about the SAUDI CHAMPAGNE trap. On arrival at some sit down restaurants you will be asked if you would like some Saudi champagne. This is not of course champagne, but a fruit punch consisting of apple juice and Perrier water, which will be added to your bill at an exorbitant rate. Ask how much before saying yes. A much better alternative is to have a refreshing cool mint drink, with not too much sugar. Actually, it is a good idea to watch all drink prices as there is a tendency to mark up even a pepsi or a small water to 10 times the cost plus 15% service charges.

This Guide is part review and part directory, hence aiming to take you around part of the spectrum of cuisine represented in Jeddah from all over the world. There are new restaurants opening continually in Jeddah (and a few closing) and it is impossible to list them all. There are now so many coffee shops that you wonder if anyone actually works anymore. As everywhere in the world, people tend to vote with their stomachs, and if you see a place which is full, it must be good - or at least, good value. If you have read this

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section and you still cannot choose where to go, then 2 good options are to head down Andalus south of Hamra street. and west Palestine street for a huge choice of every kind of restaurant or café plus they are still constructing more, or Rawdah Steet, west of Madinah Road towards Khalidiya for another big range including bakeries, new sushi and small American burger style places as well as long established restaurants such as the Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Lebanese etc., and the new Rawdah Star complex with more choices.

Our apologies if we have missed out some restaurants in this current issue due to lack of information available to us. We would be delighted to receive any reviews and new location details about any restaurants that have not been mentioned and sent to the address marked at the end of this chapter.

The Eating-Out Guide 140 BON APETITE! ARABIC/MIDDLE EASTERN Arabic, Lebanese, Egyptian, etc Abu Shaqra (L9 & O7) Corniche and Palestine Street, and on Corniche near Desal plant.

Classic Egyptian Cuisine served with traditional hospitality and a wonderful view on to the King’s Fountain.

Alcazar (P7) Tel: 651 4444 near the Inter-continental on the Corniche Highly recommended, this restaurant serves Lebanese and French cuisine in an elegant decor and a great sea view.

Albilad Gardens (H8) Tel: 694 4777 Albilad Hotel, North Corniche Enjoy the a la carte and Middle Eastern specialties followed by, if you wish, a ‘hubbly-bubbly’ (better known as bubbling sheesha), while relaxing in a beautiful lush garden on the Corniche.

There is also a playground for children.

For more details and information, look up the “Hotel Guide” section. Open Wednesday and Thursday 6.00pm to midnight and Friday to Tuesday 6.00pm to midnight.

Byblos (N7) Tel: 6566666/ Al-Hamra area on Corniche Road facing Al-Anany Mosque. Another elegant Leylaty restaurant –also Bubbles downstairs.

One of the top classy Lebanese restaurants with a modern setting. Fine cuisine and attentive waiters make it a nice place to entertain those visitors for business lunches and dinners on the expense account.

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Café blanc, Jeddah, Al Andalus Street, Al Hamra Dist. Planets Center Tel: 284 8777.

“Ahlan wa sahlan” to a modern way of enjoying Lebanese cuisine! Café blanc delivers a distinctive and unique dining experience with an extensive food menu and exclusive cocktails and desserts. Café blanc is essentially a contemporary restaurant housing a traditional cuisine. Its cool and inspiring environment appeals to both the young and the old thanks to the clever combination of traditional materials and effects with modern techniques.

Creativity is at the heart of the menu! Alongside the familiar mezze and the large selection of traditional dishes, you will also find some traditional dishes with a twist. Here you can choose to taste the “Oriental Cheese Cake” with rose Loukoum, or simply opt for the traditional trio puddings.

Al Dar (M5) Tel: 644 4005 Madinah Road, northbound between Tahlia and King Abdullah Streets next to Kanoo Building With a menu of some 120 dishes to choose from this place is seriously highly recommended! It has a great take-away service too. The family section is upstairs while the singles’ section downstairs offers a fascinating view of Madinah Road with a cavalcade of traffic rushing by.

Al Khayam (I8) Tel: 659 0000 Jeddah Hilton, North Corniche, Hera’a Street Al Khayam, the finest Persian Restaurant offering succulent Kebabs, homemade Iranian breads and a wide selection of exquisite caviars. Loated in the Lower Lobby.

Moroccan Delights Tel: 289 0015 Fax: 692 9832 Hera Street, Al Assalah Al Maghribia Rich in both history and flavor, Moroccan cuisine is one of the most exotic foods in the world. The sophisticated recipes and Moroccan palate arose as the country played host to travelers and rulers from such disparate lands as China, India, Spain and Persia and then finally, from serving for 40 years as French protectorate.

Moroccan sweets come in all shapes and sizes, generally pastries are light and healthy often made with nuts. Some are long and thin, others round-filled or hallow. Gazelle horns, a 141 crescent shaped treat is of the most famous Moroccan sweets.Indulge in some the sophisticated and authentic delicacies and more.

Moroccan Delights is proud to present you authentic delicacies prepared and perfected by real Moroccan culture and traditions.

Enjoy the goodness and richness of selections that are remarkably Moroccan.

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Al Nakhil /Palm Gardens (K9) Tel: 683 6644 Corniche One of our favourite places to take visitors or new residents. Experience the open air setting, high Arabic lounge seating and sheesha pipes, and share mezze appetizers and platters of good seafood, kebabs and lamb chops and a continuous supply of hot bread. All the food is at reasonable prices. Has a very big family area, both inside with air conditioning or outside seating as well as a huge male area.

Sail Island (G8) Tel:699 1000 on Corniche north of Sheraton Enjoy a good Lebanese or fish meal at a reasonable price, right by the waters edge on an outside terrace. The menu does not have a big selection, but they also do buffets some nights - check. A popular restaurant for groups and families.

Al Shami A chain of restaurants in various locations serving Middle Eastern food at good prices, especially take outs, including breakfast.

Shiska Restaurant (H8) Tel 699 2212 ext: 66302 Sheraton Hotel, North Corniche Influenced by all traditional Middle Eastern cuisines, Shiska is a rooftop terrace restaurant with all Arabic seating and direct undisturbed sea view located on the North Corniche. Specialties are Mezzas and Barbeque as well as exclusive Shisha.

The restaurant is directly accessible from the Cornniche and wireless internet access is available. Opening hours: Dinner: 7.00 pm – 1.00 am.

It is so nice to sit outdoors when it is not too humid or windy, and to show those Riyadh 142 visitors what they are missing. Sail Island takes its name from the 24 meter high sails that cover a large pool and seating area.

Sultani (07) Tel: 669 3898 Off Andalus Street This restaurant offers an entire new exciting palette of flavours. Experiment with the helpful guiding of smartly dressed waiters who are on hand to explain patiently the ingredients of the Persian ‘home-style’ dishes. Has a lunch special as well for SR 44.

The park contains an extensive food court, a performance venue, children’s play areas, large swimming pools and outdoor seating areas. It has excellent parking facilities. There is initially an entrance fee which becomes a deposit ordering food.

Al Wadaa (J8) Tel: 655 5550 at Movenpick Al Nawras –Corniche at Pr ince Naif Streeet Lebanese à la carte restaurant, with an outside terrace overlooking the Red Sea, and serving fresh fish from the market.

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Yildizlar (P7) Tel: 653 1150 Off Andalus Street, at junction with Al Maaden Street An old favourite with many folks. Ignore the décor - typical of village restaurants in Lebanon - because the food is seriously great.

popular for take outs; and many more available from the top west corner of Palestine Street all along the Corniche road travelling south towards Al-Hamra Shopping Centre and the Inter Continental hotel.

Try from the a la Carte menu but particularly recommended is their mezze and the garlic chicken. It’s a wholesome starter that keeps arriving to your table in never ending number of irresistible dishes leaving little space for much else apart from feeling satisfied... The food is not cheap but well worth it. Its take-away ‘cum-snack’ area to the side of the restaurant does good brisk trade too.

AMERICAN STYLE RESTAURANTS

You can find the restaurant by travelling southbound of Al Andalus Street and just after passing SACO taking the first right turn. Yildizlar is behind the SAAB garage.

If you arrive early, take care when parking to avoid being blocked in!

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Also try Al Agamy (O7) on Al Andalus Street; Fakreddine (K6) on Sary Street; Jahan Iranian Restaurant (P7) above Fanateer on Al Andalus Street; Lebanese Nights (M7) on Rawdah Street at the junction with Prince Sultan Street-

Applebees (P7) Andalus Street, Prince Sultan Street, north of Hera, and Red Sea Mall A franchised restaurant, with big portions and friendly service for a great allAmerican dinner of steaks, burgers and good desserts.

Crowne Grill Restaurant (O7) Taste the wild of foreign world ! Indulge yourself with a unique experience that will take you through an amazing journey where we combine the European world we traveled to & the Saudi culture we live in. Adventures and stories of thousands of miles were all expressed in some fine recipes that would give a unique natural taste of our fresh food that is grilled in a special way. Lunch : Every Thursday from 01:00 pm to 05:00 pm. Every Friday from 01:00 pm to 05:00 pm, Dinner : Sat - Thu from 07:00 pm to 12: am. Tel: 661 1000 ext 4007 Crowne Plaza Jeddah, Al Corniche, Al Maadi road.

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Chili’s Restaurant (O7) Al Andalus Street on the corner of Palestine Street, Tel: 026632787 or 02-6634760 Fax: 02-6658504

memorable meal. Chili’s also serves a variety of drinks, in fact the overall choice is almost limitless.

Chili’s serves American food slightly influenced by Mexican cuisine If you are a lover of these American style meals and understand how meat is B-B-Q’d to perfection, then you really will enjoy Chili’s.

Chilis regularly introduces special promotional items which are included in the menu for a limited period. Recent specials which have proved to be very popular, have included Chili’s Flavor Celebracion, Fire Grilled Specialties & Sizzling Fajitas, so keep an eye on the local press because whenever there is a new Chili’s promo dish it will be clearly announced in both the Arabic and English press.

Appetizers include the Triple Play, Boneless Buffalo Wings, Wings Over Buffalo, Fried Cheese, Classic Nachos, Fajita Nachos, Southwestern Eggrolls, Spinach and Artichoke Dip, and Skillet Queso. Featured entrees are burgers, fajitas, quesadillas, and ribs.

The meat is succulent and their portions are at what can be described as very generous, so much so that one portion could almost feed two people.

146 But for those concerned with their weight or shape, don’t worry Chili’s prides itself on being the first restaurant in the Kingdom to have offered a variety of low fat and low carbohydrate meals, without losing any of the flavour or succulence that has become associated with Chili’s dishes. If after that, you can or dare, then there is a selection of delicious desserts such as the Molten Chocolate Cake to choose from to round off a truly

Chili’s will happily cater for large groups or parties, be it business or social and lunchtime business meals are more pleasant in the surroundings and décor of a Chili’s Restaurant.

Fuddruckers: Tahliya Street, Tel: 661 3146 Durrat Al Arus, Tel: 699 7173 Al Andalaus Street Tel: 668 6330, and Roshan Mall Tel: 699 2467 Fuddruckers originated in San Antonio, Texas in 1980. The first restaurant was converted from an old bank into what was to become a restaurant that served “The World’s Greatest Hamburgers”.

Juicy and Delicious Burgers was and still is the Benchmark, 100% pure quality freshly

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ground beef, then cooked, not automatically but individually the way the customer wants it, rare, medium rare, medium, medium well or well done, as everyone is different.

The bun is freshly baked the same day and slightly toasted.

to dine in. You can have a different experience with every visit, whether you’re having drinks and appetizers while your kids enjoy the large play area on the scenic waterfall patio, a big family meal in the dining room, or a birthday party upstairs.

And then why not let the customer build his own from the famous Fuddruckers “Build Your Own – Toppings Bar”, because who else knows better that the customer what he or she wants on his or her own burger.

There is a huge gourmet salad bar, and a variety of appetizers -Buffalo wings, classic Tuesday tenders, southwest spring rolls, fried cheese sticks and a variety of dipping sauces, or maybe the Thai Phoon Shrimp The main courses are seafood, steak, the Bayou Surf & Turf, or 12 different types of burgers, chicken, pasta, ribs and sizzling fajitas etc. We tried the creamy spinach & artichoke dip appetizer which was very nice, and when ordering the New Orleans seafood, the waiter advised us it was a bit spicy. It was – but delicious.

World Class Products ….. plus an expanded menu with steaks, chicken, fish, hot soup and freshly tossed salads bring Fuddruckers guests back for more. Let’s not forget the array of home-made sweets, pies, brownies, cookies and shakes that puts Fuddruckers a cut above the ordinary.

Manhattan (I8) Tel: 659 0000 Jeddah Hilton, North Corniche, Hera’a Street 148 American style restaurant located in the Lower Lobby offer sports diners featuring live televised sports events and an extensive variety of burgers, pizzas and salads.

Ruby Tuesday (P7) Tel: 650 1999 Al-Andalus Road, and Prince Sultan Street on roundabout near GNP Hospital The generous size of the restaurant allows you to choose the ambience you would like

TGI Friday’s (P7) Tel: 652 9330 Al Andalus Street This food chain is famous all over the world so undoubtedly Chilis ‘next door’ has competition to reckon with. TGI’s concept is very similar to Chilis with slightly less emphasis on Tex Mex but similarly enormous portions.

The Texan Restaurant (M5) Tel: 663 3333 ext: 2188 Le Meridien, Madinah Road An American theme restaurant serving a

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la Carte lunch and dinner from Saturday to Thursday, with a definite country & western feeling in an informal setting. Enjjoy the cuisine, Shisha and the open air terrace atmosphere will indulge your mind surely as well as free internet will keep you in touch with your business and family.

special event there are two VIP rooms with adjoining toilet facilities, a banquet hall and a well-equipped children’s playroom.

It also does outside catering.

UNO Chicago Grill (H6) Tel: 6 2740 Prince Sultan Street, 1 km north of Hera Another franchised American chain, with excellent food -steak, burgers, fajitas, good desserts - generous quantities and friendly service.

Bamboo Sea Food Restaurant, Al Rawdah Street, Tel 664 2999 see the Red lobster just before second lights going west from Madinah Road. Has a good reputation as one of the better Chinese and seafood restaurants.

CHINESE China Gate Tel: 697 0672 Sari Street by SABB (K6), Khalidiya Tel: 606 1032(L7) by Subway, & 3 other branches. Has very reasonable priced buffet for lunch and dinner with large selection, and does take outs.

150 Gulf Royal Chinese Restaurant (M6) Tel: 6653335 Al Rawdah Dist., King Abdullah Street The largest Chinese restaurant in the Kingdom can be found just off Rawdah Street, west of Madinah Road –turn right 100 metres before first traffic lights (after Osaka).

The men’s section is laid out in traditional style but the family section is set out in a series of 24 private rooms. For an extra

Other branches of the consistently good Gulf Royal are:

Gulf Royal Sea Food Restaurant (O7) Tel: 664 1220 Al Andalus Street, 100 meters south of Palestine Street. This branch also serves Japanese, Teppanyaki and Seafood.

Noodles Set on the Second floor of Rosewood Corniche Hotel with stunning views across the Red Sea, Noodles blends traditional and modern Chinese culinary traditions in a warm and friendly setting. Noodles offers a fabulous dining experience whereby diners can choose from the chef’s specials, featuring tofu and dim sum to more traditional fare accompanied by handmade noodles, all individual and freshly prepared in the dynamic show kitchen. The young guests will be attracted by the action with chopstick classes, noodle-making lessons and the company of other kids to keep them busy,

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giving the parents time to relax. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

Timing- Daily- : 12:00 noon to12.00 midnight Tel: 02 260 7111 Oriental Garden Restaurant (L7) Tel: 692 0972 Behind MacDonalds, Rawdah Street in Khalidiya – walk through archway. It is an affordable Chinese restaurant, serving Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian and Filipino cuisine in comfortable surroundings. We use it a lot for take away with their free home delivery, and it is also popular when catering for parties in compounds. Kindo chicken is very good.

Safina (O7) Tel: 664 5266 Al Andalus Street, behind Al Dewan A wide selection of Chinese cuisine at reasonable prices - I have never actually eaten inside, only enjoyed prompt and delicious takeaways! The menu is extensive with all the usual favourites.

Shangri-La (M6) Tahlia Street, Galleria Mall The dedicated entrance from the outside does not inspire confidence but the flight of stairs brings you out into the mall where the exterior of the restaurant is reassuring and inside there is a pleasant atmosphere. Service is attentive but not intrusive and the large menu verges on the exotic - but is only mid-price. The Hot

Sour Soup was delicious and the Spring Rolls were plump but not too greasy. Main dishes between SR30-50. Meal for two with starters, main course and Saudi Champagne and service included came under SR200.

Toki (L8) Tel: 606 0606 north side of Leylaty wedding Hall, (used to be opposite King Faisal Specialist Hospital). Absolute style and sophistication on every aspect from arrival to departing - this is a class act and nothing less. Walls glimmering with candles, subtle but unstinting service, plentiful menu and exquisite dishes like peking duck.

This is a highly recommended place especially when celebrating important occasions. Undeniably, here you’ll need to carry more than a pile of loose change in your wallet, Toki’s full menu is available daily with catering and delivery options for businesses, homes and private functions.

Hours: Family and Single’s Section Dinner 151 from 19:30 to 01:00 AM daily Lunch 1pm -4pm Fridays from 13:00 to 16:00. Takeaway Orders to go are available daily during operating hours at separate door on same north side.

Wajbah (N7) back of Amoudia Market in Khalidiya.

Wajbah’s extensive a la carte menu offers

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the usual Chinese cuisine and in addition it also offers about 30 Filipino dishes. Basic décor, but has been a favourite for a long time catering for local residents, especially for take outs.

Xian Gong (H8) Tel: 699 2212 Sheraton Hotel, North Corniche Xian Gong is the only Chinese restaurant in Jeddah to serve authentic Chinese cuisine prepared by chefs from mainland China.

Savor the cuisine as well as the spectacular view of the Jeddah Corniche and skyline from this rooftop restaurant. Opening hours: Lunch: 12.00 noon – 4.00 pm, Dinner: 6.00 pm – 1.00 am.

Also try Canton at Aziz Mall, China Hut on Tauba Street, just off Waly Al Ahd near junction with King Fahd Street (Q5) Tel: 650 2767; Chinese Palace at Red Sea Mall, Durrat Chinese especially for take out at Rawdah complex & numerous other locations, 152 Golden Palace near Jeddah International Market, off Tahlia Street (M6) Tel: 669 0377; The Great Wall off Al Andalus Street, near Yildizlar (P7) Tel: 651 8118; Zying at Mall of Arabia FRENCH La Brasserie (R6) Tel: 642 8555 Red Sea Palace, Balad

The only deluxe hotel located within easy walking distance of Jeddah’s famed old souq; the hotel is renowned for its convenient location and comfort.

La Brasserie is an elegantly decorated restaurant with a friendly and efficient staff, offering delectable cuisine meticulously prepared by multinational chefs. For further information see the Hotel Guide and the Theme Nights & Buffet sections.

La Cuisine (O7) Tel: 663 0363 Palestine Street, opposite the Jamjoom Centre Hi-tech design is the theme of this busy restaurant with an extensive menu. Look up the dessert menu first to see what you’ll need to leave room for after the enormously generous first and second courses. Expect to pay just under SR200 per head whilst for the set menu ‘Cafe de Paris’ around SR90 consists of a generous green salad, steak cafe de Paris and dessert of your choice.

Black and White: Located on the north side of Palestine Street in the section to the west of Andalus Street, this excellent restaurant has a very experienced French chef and devout motorcyclist- Jean Paul - at the helm.

Meals are produced to a very high standard, beautifully presented in a quiet and very modern setting. The restaurant is part art gallery and artworks on the wall are for sale.

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Crepe Café (M7) in the Roshana International Center, corner of Tahlia & Sultan Streets.

The Crepe Café is a French-style creperie which serves sweet and savory crepes; as well as pancakes, waffles and omelets and for those who want something light, soups and salads are also available.

Also try Alcazar, on the Corniche as mentioned above (P7); Le Bourgeois in the Al Bustan Hotel on Palestine Street at the junction with Madinah Road (O5) Tel: 696 4444, or the INDIAN ‘Curry’ is one of those fascinatingly flexible dishes that adapt its ‘best sellers’ to suit the home market. It also has a delicious Pakistani variety enhancing the authentic flavours. tThose expecting to have the traditional chicken Tikka massala found in their country of origin will be pleasantly surprised by its Jeddah versions. There are clearly international variations - curry is slightly different wherever you go.

The same cannot be said of England’s fish and chips or the shiwarma for example which replicates itself exactly wherever it

goes. Pick from some fine examples of Indian and Pakistani cuisine found in Jeddah.

Asian Restaurant Tel:667 0777 Ramada Continental Hotel, Palestine Street and Madinah Road Intersection, It serves very tasty Indian and Asian cuisine in beautiful settings.

Candle Light (M4) Tel: 660 5000 Sunset Hotel, King Abdullah Street Restaurant offers superb International cuisine, catering for all tastes. Open 24 hours.

Jeddah Darbar (used to be the and still known as Student’s Cafe Tel: 673 1349, 675 0952 Sab’een Street, between Kudu and Saudi Fisheries co. To find it, travel eastbound of Tahliya Street east of Madinah Road in the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway direction. Cross over Makarauna Road, pass the old Student’s Café location beside Taj Mahal then reaching the next intersection that should be Sab’een Street, 153 turn right and travel south. After the second road on your left look out for Saudi Fisheries - the restaurant is right next to it.

It is also next to Baskin Robins and 2 & 3 doors away from Pizza Hut and the Danube supermarket. Humble but not meek, this restaurant is the temple of curry lovers and serves up quality food and delectable curry

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by the ‘platterful’. They do outside catering at SR20 per person and offer free delivery for purchases over SR 30 - perfect for lowcost, impromptu gatherings. For reservations, free deliveries or outside catering contact Nihal 057396849 or Tel: 675 0952 Kandahar (S7) Tel: 647 4444 The Trident Hotel, Mina Street, Port Road This is an exclusive restaurant whose decor and attention to detail with the authentic Indian food, copper and silver Indian tableware and scented towels assures a unique experience in a traditional atmosphere. The cuisine originates from the northern frontier of India with the emphasis on food prepared in the Tandoor - an Indian clay oven.

For further information see Hotel guide section.

dian/Pakistani restaurant with no pretensions. It has an extensive menu at good prices. There is a big area upstairs for groups, weddings etc.

Maharajah (O6) Tel: 655 6558 Shubukshi Street, turn right off Palestine Street, just before Sofitel , Excellent Mogul’ Cuisine from the North of India in this light and airy restaurant divided by wooden latticework.

A la Carte and takeaway are available but the restaurant is famous for its lunch buffet.

Kashmir Nights (K6), Tel: 683 0231 Yamamah Street. Go West on Sari Street before Jarir Book Store/Sawary SM, turn right at 154 Traffic Light. You’ll see it on left after 300 metres. Friendly service in a colourful forest like surroundings, with home style Pakistani non greasy food at good prices.

Marhaba (O7) Tel: 667 5174 off Al Andalus Street It has excellent Pakistani food. The restaurant is clean and the waiters are pristinely dressed wearing a welcoming smile. Its barbecued chicken and shrimp dishes are outstanding and the “fish-Tikka”, I believe, is the talk of the town! In the afternoon there is a daily full service buffet in the family section, with different spread each day such as the Sindhi biryani, a tasty rice dish with potatoes and meat or the tender and aromatic Chicken Jalfrezi, a dish of boneless chunks of chicken cooked in spices.

La Sani Tel: 651 0562, off Madinah Road southbound, opposite the Radisson Blu Hotel (P6) behind Mohammed Plaza, and Prince Majed just south of Tahlia St.Tel:6726951 (N3) A good sit down In-

The dinner menu offers a variety of soups as starters - Mulligatawny, Chicken & Corn, Thai, Hot & Sour followed by a mouthwatering selection of barbecued shrimps, chicken, fish Tikkas, mixed grill, chicken

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& sheesh kebabs and the very popular char-grilled lamb chops marinated to a tender juicy grill for the most delicate palate proudly representing the Marhaba food chain’s standard and cuisine!

The BBQs are also accompanied with home baked “butter-naans”, hot towels to clean fingers and mouth at the end of dinner is a thoughtful gesture to finish a meal with. Good value. They also do outside catering!

Raj (M6) Tel 221 2848 Tahlia Street www.rajrestaurant.com Raj introduces an interesting concept - a fusion of east and West - mystical Indian cuisine in a European sense of style. Just off the westbound carriageway of Tahlia Street (same side as BHS) turn right after the Jewellery Centre and you’ll find it on the left-hand side, behind American Standard.

Shadab (N3) Tel: 673 3173 Muallafeen Street, Azizia District An excellent Indian restaurant offering Moghlai and Tandoori dishes, and home catering services.

Shezan Restaurants (O7) Tel: 665 6040 Next to Gulf Royal, just off Al Andalus Street, Malik Road, South of Hera ( I7) 607 9334, Sari Street by SABB 662-1086

& Faisalia 663 5180. Good Indian cuisine.

Extremely flavoursome dishes in generous quantities, especially in their efficiently presented takeaway portions.

Taj Mahal (M6) Tel: 697 9698 or 698 6131, Filipino Souq, Rawdah Street Reasonable prices with good portions and cheerful curry in pleasant surroundings.

This restaurant is one of our local favourites - also highly recommended by us. They do a lot of takeaways.

There is a souq of Indian /Pakistani restaurants (N3) on Prince Majid Street going east - Aziza area near Pakistani school, which are all popular and long time favourites, especially for big groups.

Try Al-Mehran Restaurant 676-0615, Zehra Restaurant 672-4288, Kababish Garden Restaurant 672-1232, Shaheen 673-8316 155 Also try Chakarachat - Named after the house specialty located on the corner of a row of small shops opposite the fire station just off Prince Fahd (Sitteen) Street. It is a Bel Poori house - which is Bombay beach fast food and quite delicious. Clean and incredibly inexpensive, (dishes from four

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riyals - two will fill you) avoid weekends as the queues are enormous. Takeaways and party sized catering packs on request.

Kohinoor Tel: 667 0540 at Ramada Continental (previously Al Harithy Hotel), eastbound on Palestine Street, near the junction with Madinah Road.

INTERNATIONAL Amwaj Rooftop Restaurant (I8) Tel: 659 0000 Jeddah Hilton, North Corniche, Hera’a Street An interpretation of ‘Fusion Cuisine’, Amwaj is located on the top floor of the hotel with breathtaking views of the Red Sea. Choose from an extensive a la carte menu that offers Japanese, Chinese, French, Italian and Indian dishes.

Open Fridays for Jeddah’s most popular International Brunch Buffet.

156 La Brasserie Restaurant (M5) Tel: 663 3333 Le Meridien, Madinah Road The elegant, Brasserie serves breakfast to themed night specialities with a touch of cultural and contemporary Arabic cuisine, under a chic atmosphere Al Basateen (N4) Tel: 671 4000 Jeddah Marriott Hotel, Palestine Street

Located on the mezzanine floor of the Marriott, Al Basateen Restaurant invites you for a new cuisine and traditional favorites menus, stir up your appetite in its spectacular buffet and a wide variety of its selected gourmet.

La Brasserie Restaurant (R6) Tel: 642 8555 Red Sea Palace Hotel, Balad, The only deluxe hotel located within easy walking distance of Jeddah’s famed old souq; the hotel is renowned for its convenient location and comfort.

La Brasserie is an elegantly decorated restaurant with a friendly and efficient staff, offering delectable cuisine meticulously prepared by multi-national chefs. For further information see the Hotel Guide and the Theme Nights & Buffet sections.

Al Diwan Tel: 652 1234 Radisson Blu Hotel, Al Madinah Road Al Diwan restaurant produces daily buffets and “a la carte” from international cuisine.

The Falcon Café (H8) Tel: 694 4777 Albilad Hotel, North Corniche Offers international cuisine with light meals and snacks served in a casual atmosphere, open from 6.00 pm-2.00 am.

Al Ferdaus (P7) Tel: 229 5555 InterContinental Jeddah Hotel, Corniche

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Al Ferdaus is a restaurant catering to all client’s requirements, from a ligh snack to a three course meal to a lavish open buffet.

Al Ferdaus focusing breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets featuring different themes every night: Saturday - Asia Pacific, Sunday - BBQ, Monday - Viva Italia, Tuesday - La Petite France, Wednesday - Oriental, Thursday - All About Seafood, Friday Around the World.

La Fontaine (M4) Tel: 660 5000 Sunset Jeddah Hotel, Al Rawdah Street This restaurant is renowned for its unique culinary presentation in an enchanting ambiance. La Fontaine is the ideal choice for breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring mouth watering continental, oriental and international cuisine.

Habsburg (K9) Tel: 02 260 7111 Rosewood Corniche Hotel, on Corniche at Sari Street.

Located on the first floor, overlooking the Red Sea, the Habsburg serves breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet in an informal and relaxed atmosphere for its discerning customers. Habsburg is home to the popular Friday brunch which brings more excitement for the little ones and indulgence for grown-ups. While kids fill up on fun enjoying clowns, face painting and balloon modeling, enjoy unlimited local and global specialties

from our inspirational Friday buffet. Don’t miss the city’s most renowned seafood buffet every Thursday for dinner, serve the freshly prepared creations, such as marinated salmon, the vast selection of local and imported ingredients and recipes from Hammour Siyadiya to Lobster Thermidor and succulent Seafood Pasta. Ensure you never run out of the new tastes to try.

The Habsburg combine culinary expertise from Switzerland, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt and fuse them with local taste and imagination to offer guests a remarkable and delicious menu selection, including popular items like live Saj Manaqeesh, Gursan, Chicken Shawerma and live pasta station.

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Breakfast: 06:00 a.m. – 10.30 a.m.

Lunch: 12:00 noon – 4.00 pm Dinner: 7:00 pm – 12:00 midnight Friday Brunch: 12:00 noon – 5:00 p.m.

157 Kinda Tel: 215 0525 Elaf Jeddah Hotel at Red Sea Mall, Corniche Road This restaurant offers delightful International and traditional cuisines. Further, the hotel offers 3 meeting rooms and will soon introduce a multipurpose hall to accommodate both business meetings and banqueting (specially designed for local weddings).

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Lebanese Restaurant (N6) Tel: 669 2020 Sands Hotel, south of Tahlia Street Offers a choice of Lebanese, European and Oriental dishes.

Al Maha Restaurant (H8) Tel: 694 4777 Albilad Hotel, North Corniche Renowned for its landscaped beauty the terrace ‘spills’ out onto the tranquil gardens providing a most tranquil setting for Buffet Themes and the ‘traditional’ Friday brunch, an absolute Albilad speciality - see the Buffet Listings Mirador (O3) Tel: 670 8881 / 670 8882 North off Palestine Street This Swiss restaurant presents interesting and delicious dishes from regularly changing menus created by the resident European chefs in unique surroundings. No detail has been overlooked in the interior design and its modern intriguing style is one of its own. Candlelit in the evening it creates an 158 intimate atmosphere, yet the jazzy colour of the circular mosaic floor, the stylish furniture and engulfing decor makes it also an attractive lunchtime setting.

The high quality interior harmoniously supports an equally delicious quality food from an extensive menu - dishes served with superb attention to detail in presentation, sizzling fresh, cooked to perfection and sized

in more than generous portions. Mirador is a desirable joint venture with Guignard SA, a Swiss firm and a prestigious overseas connection renowned for its patisserie. The patisserie tea room downstairs is furnished to introduce you to famous delicacies by enticing you to sample from a selection of sweet and savoury pastries, tortes, fresh fruit mousses, tarts, sandwiches, canapes and a large choice of desserts together with chocolate chaud and other delicious drinks.

Al Nadwa Coffee Shop Tel: 631 2201 Golden Tulip (former Kaki hotel), Old Airport Road. The daily open buffet offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with International, Oriental and Chinese food superbly presented in an appetising and elegant display. The family section, in a luxuriously refurbished setting, features additional children’s recreational area.

Rania Cafe (H8) Tel: 658 8200 Level B, The Westin Jeddah, North Corniche An elegantly decorated restaurant offering open buffet dinners, a la carte (or buffet) with a variety of Western and Oriental cuisine - a most welcoming additions to the hotel scene in Jeddah.

Al Rawdah (S7) Tel: 647 4444 The Trident Hotel This lovely coffee shop serves excellent international favourites throughout the

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day and evening from Thursday to Monday.

Buffet Theme nights are on Tuesday (Italian) and Wednesday (Arabic).

Al Roshan Restaurant (S5) Tel: 631 4000 Al Salam Holiday Inn Fine dining with International, Continental and Traditional Arabic dishes served daily.

Diners can choose from a la Carte or savor it’s buffet breakfast, lunch served throughout the week. For further information see Buffet Listing.

Al Safina (I8) Tel: 659 0000 Jeddah Hilton, North Corniche, Hera’a Street Al Safina serves daily international buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner in additin to a la carte dining, Loated in the Lower Lobby.

Senses (O6) Tel: 651 4375 Sohaili Plaza, King Andalus Street – has a good reputation for Asian fusion food.

Spices Tel: 667 6655 Madinah Road, Movenpick Hotel Opp. Musaadiah Shopping Area Treat your taste buds to the fiery flavours of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam at the Spices restaurant. Relax in a relaxing ambience and allow the chefs to tantalize you with the true taste of Asia. It serves you daily from 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm and dinner from 7.30 pm to 12.30 am at a very special

price, excluding Friday.

Shiska Lounge (H8) 699 2212 ext 66302 Sheraton Hotel, North Corniche With direct access from the Corniche, the Shiska lounge is open around the clock, where you can enjoy the sun rise or set over the stunning Red Sea. Specialized in exclusive shisha, beverage and food combinations such as afternoon tea and featuring premium ingredients on its international a la carte menu from breakfast till midnight snack. Wireless internet access is available. Open 24 hours.

Tropical Gardens (H8) 699 2212 ext 66302 Sheraton Hotel, North Corniche Set amid luscious foliage overlooking the Red Sea, the Tropical Garden BBQ Grill specializes in Oriental and South Asian barbecue dishes, featuring Seafood night on Thursdays, served during the cooler months of October through April. Wireless internet 159 access is available. Opening hours: 9.00 pm – 1.00 am Al Waha Restaurant (H8) 699 2212 ext /66302 Sheraton Hotel, North Corniche The Al Waha continental dining room overlooks the gardens and serves international cuisine a la carte or buffet-style from early morning to midnight.

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On Fridays it feature family brunch with international dishes and live cooking. Wireless internet access is available. Opening hours: Breakfast: 6.30 am – 11.00 am, Lunch: 12.30 pm – 4.00 pm, and Dinner: 7.00 pm – 1.00 am.

mented by a seasonal menu introduced at the start of each season. The extensive drinks menu includes regular fresh fruit juices, exclusive cocktails, innovative coffee cocktails, the familiar coffee selection and soft drinks.

Waterlemon (N7) Tel: 2848999 Al Andalus Street, Al Hamra District, Planets Center A contemporary of the day atmosphere, relaxing and welcoming. Taking its inspiration from nature, with its ever changing seasons, waterlemon’s look, colours, waiters’ costumes and accessories change accordingly with each season, burnt orange for autumn, deep pink for winter, fresh green for spring and azure blue summer. Elements of design are derived directly from the logo and are used to inspire the shapes of partitions, display shelves and architectural elements. The fluid and glossy lines reinforced the concept of purity.

Al Zahra Restaurant (07). The Al Zahra restaurant located on the ground floor is perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner and is host to its specialty theme nights every night of the week (see Buffet Listings for the evening schedule). The cozy ambience in the Restaurant will take you through a culinary travel through different regions of countries with varieties of cuisine that will satisfy one and all for a weeklong taste. Tel: 661 1000 ext. 4006 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Off Palestine Street, close to the Corniche.

The passion for food will ensure you will get the freshest ingredients every day everywhere and its passion for service will ensure your satisfaction everyday everywhere!

The menu essentially consists of four sections all day breakfast, salads, sandwiches and mains. The regular menu is comple-

Crowne Grill Restaurant: Taste the wild of the foreign world! Indulge yourself with a unique experience that will take you through an amazing journey where we combine the European world we traveled to & the Saudi culture we live in. Adventures and stories of thousands of miles were all expressed in some fine recipes that would give a unique natural taste of our fresh food that is grilled in our special way.

Lunch: Every Thursday from 01:00 pm to 05:00 pm, Every Friday from 01:00 pm to

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05:00 pm, Dinner: Sat - Thu from 07:00 pm to 12:00 am.

Tel: 661 1000 ext. 4006 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Off Palestine Street, close to the Corniche.

ITALIAN Aromi Restaurant - (I8)Tel. 659 9999 Qasr Al Sharq next to Hilton Contemporary Italian a la carte dining with a Venetian twist, located on the second floor, overlooking the Red Sea, seating up to 96 seats and open for lunch and dinner.

Ciao - The Italian Restaurant (P7) Tel 665 1537 Off Andalus street, next to Gulf Royal Seafood, and Batterjee Street just east of Gold’s Gym and Saudi German Hopsital.

Staking its claim as the most authentic and traditional Italian restaurant in Jeddah, it offers a huge menu of soups, pastas, meat and fish dishes with a great array of desserts.

Open daily from 1.00pm to 1.00 am, reservation is recommended at the weekend.

Italian Restaurant Tel: 667 0777 Ramada Coninental Hotel, Palestine street and Madinah Road Junction A wonderful example of Italian cuisine and true Italian taste awaits you. Expert chefs prepare a nice selection of antipasti/appetiz-

ers & salads; zuppe/soup, paste/pastas; pizzas; Le Nostre Specialities/Our Specialities; I Secondi/Main Courses; Pesce e Crostacei/ Seafood; and dolci/dessert.

The food looks good, tastes exquisite, and is served elegantly along with a moto by John Ruskin (1819-1900) ”Value…It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s unwise to pay too little. When you pay too much you lose a little money, when you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing things you bought it for.

Il Castello (P5) Tel: 665 2281 Off Khalid bin Waleed St (from Palestine Street, turn right at Al Dewan Decor) Overflowing with atmosphere, this warren of a restaurant has been in business for nearly 30 years — and has provided consistently delicious quality meals from its extensive menu. No wonder it is so popular for business lunches and evening dinners.

161 Al Fredo (O5) Tel: 669 6444 Al Bustan, Palestine Street at junction with Madinah Road Located on the mezzanine floor, this gourmet venue serves authentic Italian food a la carte and is open for lunch and dinner. You can watch the chef preparing your pasta at the pasta station.

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Il Gabbiano (K9) Tel; 658 7042 on the Corniche north of Nawrus Square -Prince Naif Street A friendly and quiet atmosphere with great food and good service

takeaway from the ‘hole in the wall’. Inside the comprehensive menu offers traditional dishes that are beautifully presented and served efficiently by discreet waiters. There is a wide range of antipasti soups or salads.

IL Porto (H8) Tel: 658 8200 The Westin Jeddah, North Corniche, Emphasises creativity and the art of cooking with its Italian specialities served in a 5* luxury deco setting and gilded with a priceless view over the Red Sea. On Thursdays lunch and dinner from the a la carte is an option.

The great daily selection of fresh pastas can be enjoyed as a starter or main course such as in six different risotti or in chicken, lamb, beef, veal and seafood dishes with fresh seasonal vegetables. The choices of 12 types of first class ‘hole in-a-wall’ pizzas are also served inside the restaurant from a la carte. The ‘top of the chart’ Tiramisu on the dessert menu is followed by several equally scrumptious classical Italian “dolce” - hmmm, decisions, decisions! It’s not easy.

So, tuck in and enjoy!

Lallo (N5) has a new location at Toula Plaza – going east on Tahlia 200 metres before Madinah. I used to enjoy the occasional lunch at their now closed Italian Cultural Center and Bugshan Center restaurants.

Has excellent veal, beef and pasta dishes (lobster pasta supposed to be very good) and other recommend their pizzas.

162 La Villa (M6) Tel: 667 3434 Abdul Majeed Shabukshi Street, Near Bugshan Centre, behind Tahlia Street In a hurry from somewhere to get to somewhere else-or-coming to treat yourself and celebrate with a special dinner, you’ll find that you can have both here - the casual and the sophisticated. Inside is the cool sophisticated interior offering a full a la carte menu and outside is the casual pizza and pasta

IL Villaggio (P27) Tel: 668 8233 Andalus street next to Chilis The newest addition to the Jeddah Italian scene with a collection of six different dining areas/Restaurants, coffee shops and lounges. Detail and quality of finish this complex is amongst the best Jeddah has to offer. Offers true Italian food.

Villa D’Aosta (O6) Tel: 660 2000 Hotel Sofitel, Palestine Street It features a unique wooden interior in an alpine chalet setting and the a la carte menu specialises in authentic Italian cuisine.

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Also Try Da Pino at the Red Sea Palace Hotel, Balad (R6) Tel: 642 8555, Casper and Gambini on Andalus Street south bound, 2 doors from Saco, Balsamico next to Sands Hotel, Al-Andalus Dist., Tel: 663 3115 and their new branch at Diner’s Centre Complex on Malek Road, Pizza Amore in Tahlia Street, in the Oasis Tahlia mall, facing Coral mall reputed to be excellent food and service.

JAPANESE Benihana (N6) Tel: 669 2020 ext560 Sands Hotel behind Tahlia Street. Enjoy good Japanese cuisine and live chef entertainment making sushi and teppanyaki combinations, with traditional atmosphere.

Ginza (K9) Tel: 02 260 7111 Rosewood Corniche Hotel, on Corniche at Sari Street.

Located on the second floor with a view of Corniche and Red Sea, Ginza i Chome have chosen a new and exciting gastronomic path to ensure guests enjoy exceptional and fine dining experience in every

sense of the word. The Long Bar – a fabulous hand carved stone bar – is the central feature of the restaurant, where the chef entertains by preparing tantalizing cuisine at each individual setting.

Ginza also hosts the exclusive ladies night on Tuesdays. The ladies and families are treated to a 25% discount and a complimentary welcome drink in addition to a chance to win a valuable prize from one of our beauty and fashion sponsors. For Sushi lovers, they need to head to Ginza on Mondays for a feast of Sushi and Maki to try the famous all you can eat sushi feast.

Open from Sunday until Friday for Dinner.

Timing: 4:30 p.m. – 01:00 a.m.

Gulf Royal Seafood Restaurant, off Andalus Street, next American Consulate (P7) Tel: 664 1220 Hokkaido (P6) Tel 652 1234 Radisson Blu Hotel, Madinah Road 163 You may have already enjoyed meals here being prepared by a Teppanyaki chef, who must have been rather a wizard then a cook in disguise as you were watching him, between juggling knives, spatulas and eggs, create traditional delicacies such as tempura, sushi and sashimi or grills Teppanyaki style - all turned out to be tasty and pleasing to the palate.

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Le Japonais (H8) Tel: 658 8200 The Westin Jeddah, North Corniche Decorated in an ultra-modern style, with wavelike walls of polished steel - the dramatic glass windows allowing superb views over the Corniche and Red Sea. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant can be accessed by a private glass lift that shimmies up the outside of the building and offers authentic, contemporary Japanese,

been flown in to titillate the most discerning plates with the best that Japanese cuisine has to offer, Open all days of the week Lunch from 12:30 pm to 04:00 pm Dinner from 7.00 pm -12.00 midnight. ) Tel: 661 1000 ext.4003 Crowne Plaza, Al Corniche, Al Maadi Road

Thai and Chinese cuisine from an a la carte menu. In the evening, try the sushi bar and Teppanyaki tables.

Sushi Yoshi (H8) 699 7854 Corniche, north of Sheraton Hotel, and Rawdah Street (M6) Tel: 261 6734 Rawdah Star complex - small, but with bright colours, good fresh sushi and a lot of take outs.

Koreana (O6) Tel: 660 4769 Off Palestine Street (westbound), first right after Garden Compound Offers a culinary adventure at an attractive price. There is an extensive a la carte menu of Korean, Japanese and Chinese dishes and a sushi bar all through the week as well as the choice of 4 or 5-course set 164 menus.

Thursday is Buffet Night.

Tempura Yakatori (K6) Tel: 639 3468 Sary Street at junction with Al Yamamah Street Smart but relaxed Japanese restaurant, with sushi bar and an extensive menu that covers a wide spectrum of Chinese and Asian cuisine. The deceptively petite portions are served on traditional plates followed by interesting Chinese fruit cocktails of your choice.

Sakura Restaurants (O7). Just like the blooming cherry blossoms it is named after, Sakura, Jeddah’s foremost restaurant is once again in full bloom in a new location and decor. Chef Ho Dinh Son, Who’s culinary experience spans eighteen years spent between Japan and Vietnam, has

Wakame (M6) Tel:668 2003 on Rawdah Street, heading west, turn right 100 metres before first traffic lights- same street as Gulf Royal Chinese. No in dining, just concentrating on takeaway. It has an open kitchen allowing customers to see the chefs prepare some good sushi.

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MEDITERRANEAN Al Diwan (P6) Tel 652 1234 Ext 1136 Radisson SAS Hotel, Madinah Road Completely refurbished in a Mediterranean style, the chef at work in his ‘display/showkitchen’ is in full view preparing your orders from the grill, traditional pizzas or stir-fries menu. Delicious, attractive and entertaining all at once.

For further information about special nights and buffet themes see the ‘Buffet Listings’ section.

Oliveâ’s (O7) Tel: 661 0627 Palestine Street, West of Madinah Road Sister restaurant to La Cuisine, (just across the road) The rough walls, stone floor and giant pot plants create an atmosphere that transports you to a trattoria somewhere in Southern Europe.

Fine china and unique cutlery complement the dishes from an imaginative menu with the chef emerging from his kitchen to check if you are enjoying it. Using the private room, it’s a nice and cosy place for dinner a deux, or for a celebration dinner with friends.

La Veranda at Al Hamra Sofitel, Palestine Street, Tel 660 2000.

Serving daily buffet authentic Mediterranean food.

Nafoura Restaurant at Park Hyatt Jeddah This restaurant offers the finest Mediterranean food in "freestyle cuisine" - a concept that combines an excellent chef, a dynamic menu based on organic seasonal produce and a good dose of innovation. The design concept is a combination of high ceilings, stone flooring, contemporary interior and elegant relaxing seating. Nafoura serves from an open show kitchen and offers a large terrace featuring a traditional Middle Eastern grill station.

Hours: Breakfast - 6:30 am to 11:00 am Lunch - 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm Dinner - 6:00 pm to 12:00 midnight 165 Friday Brunch - 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm Business Lunch Saturday to Thursday 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm Seafood Night Thursday - 6:00 pm to 12:00 midnight Reservations: Tel: +966 2 263 9666 Fax: +966 2 263 9777 Email: nafoura.parkhyattjeddah@hyatt.com

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MORROCAN Tagine Restaurant (M5) Tel: 663 3333 ext.

2155 Le Meridien, Madinah Road Take a special journey to the Mediterranean gastronomy in a chic and elegantly decorated restaurant.

Moorish (Morrocan/Spanish) Cuisine Andalusia Restaurant at Park Hyatt Jeddah This family buffet restaurant serves Andalusian cuisine and is located within the resort complex. Andalusia is the perfect venue for a comfortable and entertaining evening, offering a wide choice of buffet items and a memorable Mediterranean design with a comfortable atmosphere. The open kitchen concept and lively atmosphere provide a cozy, home-like ambience.

Hours: Dinner - 7:00 pm to 12:00 after midnight, Reservations: Tel: +966 2 263 9666 Fax: +966 2 263 9777 166 PHILIPINO Bulakeno (formerly Zamboanga) (O5) Tel: 665 2604 Behind El Magrabi on Madinah Road Offers delicious and excellent value Filipino and Chinese dishes all in a relaxed and well-appointed environment.

Wajbah (N7) Back of Amoudia Market in Khalidiya Wajbah’s extensive a la carte menu offers the usual Chinese cuisine and in addition ioffers about 30 Filipino dishes. Basic decor, catering for local population and take outs. (We used to be frequent clients of their Riyadh branch which was Chinese and Pakistani, which was nice and gave a different combination) Also see fast food section at the end of the article.

SEAFOOD Bamboo Sea Food Restaurant (O7) Tel: 664 2999 Al Rawdah Street, Tel 664 2999 see the Red lobster just before second lights going west from Madinah Road.

A most unique restaurant with interior created using wood, bamboo and native grass with an isle of Seashells all through the private rooms. The menu includes oriental seafood dishes and many different other choices.

Al Danah / Green Island (G8) Tel: 694 1234, 694 0999, Green Island, North Corniche Specialising in exquisite seafood dishes at, without doubt, the most atmospheric loca-

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tion in Jeddah. Its architectural theme is timber. The restaurant is a series of large octagonal ‘huts’ built along a sort of pier on stilts snaking out into the sea. Each enclosed octagonal structure ‘walled’ by large panelled windows and connected by a series of wooden walkways that travel from ‘hut’ to ‘hut’ and link the kitchens and the restaurant lobby to the ‘mainland’!

Tables are also set outside along the edge and at the end of this Al-Danah pier - the summer evening breeze, the soft murmuring of the gentle tide and the view of night lights illuminating Jeddah’s night life that stretches along the coast for miles in front of you will put you in a picture perfect holiday setting.

The Restaurant’s extensive a la carte menu, with emphasis on seafood, also selects an attractive variety for non-seafood lovers too such as hot & cold appetisers, meat & poultry dishes, Lebanese menu, Tandoori specialities, soups and a Salad Corner. However, the seafood menu is out of this world! …or shall I say it’s the perfect world matching the sea breeze and the cascade of playful waves.

The memory will linger in your taste buds with craving once you have tried specialities such as “stuffed calamaries in sesame-

ginger dressing, Rock lobster bisque, fruits de mer au gratin, seafood platter Green Island style, linguini alla frutti di mare with noodles”, or the “grilled salmon steak with raisin-caviar-orange sauce”.

The Thursday night Seafood Buffet shouldn’t be missed either! Good for big groups as can get a “chalet”.

Fish Market Restaurant (P7) Tel: 229 5555 InterContinental Jeddah , Corniche A unique concept of an informal Far-Eastern Seafood Restaurant where shopping is a fun at the market place. Enjoy the fresh catch from the Red Sea, prepared before you by experienced Far Eastern Chefs.

Choose from a wide selection of fresh shrimps, mussels, crabs, selections of fish, Canadian Red Lobster and more with your preferred style of cooking or simply indulge yourself with its lavish seafood buffet. All this and a fantastic view of the King’s famous Jeddah Fountain. Seafood Open 167 Buffet Lunch - 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm and Dinner 7.00 to 1.00 am.

Gulf Royal Seafood Restaurant (O7) Tel: 664 1220 off Al Andalus Street, just south of Palestine Street Listed in the Chinese and Japanese category but truly it belongs in the Seafood Section. Your prepared order could be an

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example of fine art painted on canvas as it placed ready in front of you - luckily the delicious smell gives it away!

Manhattan Fish Market (P7). Tel: 614 1900 Andalus Street. next to Ruby Tuesday A seafood restaurant perfect for families as big selection of shrimps, calamari, seafood platters at affordable prices. Parking is below the restaurant.

Mutlaqa (L8) Tel 683-3435 south side of Leylaty wedding hall on Malek Road The restaurant features an open buffet every night with an emphasis on Sushi and Sashimi, featuring an ever-changing variety of cold appetizers, hot seafood specialties, made to order pasta and a dazzling display of delicate desserts to tempt the palate. Has a refined and elegant texture with experienced staff. Family Section Only, Dinner from 19:30 to 12:30 am daily for SR 160 + 168 15% service charges.

Tropical Gardens (H8) Tel: 699 2212 Sheraton Hotel, North Corniche Set amid luscious foliage overlooking the Red Sea, the Tropical Garden BBQ Grill specializes in Oriental and South Asian barbecue dishes, featuring Seafood night on Thursdays, served during the cooler months of October through April. Opening

hours: 9.00 pm – 1.00 am Al Zahra Restaurant (07). Grand Seafood Theme night with the best seafood in town enough to fill your palate (fresh lobster, shrimps, crabs, scallops, clams and fresh fish dishes). Every Monday & Wednesday from 7.00 pm to 11.00 pm. Tel: 661 1000 ext 4006 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Off Palestine Street near the Corniche.

Also Try Dolphin Corniche on Tahlia Street, east of Madinah Road (M5) Tel: 660 1841 STEAKS Also see the American section, and of course the main hotels all serve steaks.

Amwaj (I8) Tel: 659 0000 Jeddah Hilton on Corniche –serves wagyu beef steak, excellent quality at higher prices.

Ponderosa on Tahlia (M6) and King Abdullah Street (M7), both west of Madinah Road, serves fast-food steaks of all portion sizes from Petite Sirloin to a King Size Steak. A main course price includes soup and a trip to the salad bar.

The great value lunch menu consists of soup, hot bread, bottomless salad bar,

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steak and rice, dessert, and coffee. Soft drinks also have free refills.

Steakhouse (K7) Tel: 682 9955 Malek Road north of Sari, & Red Sea Mall, Millenium Centre on Tahliah Street Well known restaurant chain with hearty steaks, burgers, Tex –Mex platters, soup and salad bar and sandwiches. Good lunch time specials with regular patrons.

Crowne Grill Restaurant (07) Crowne Grill Restaurant is a newly opened restaurant. Taste the wild on foreign world! Indulge yourself with a unique experience that would take you through an amazing journey where we combine the European world we traveled to and the Saudi culture we live in.

Adventures and stories of thousands of miles were all expressed in some fine recipes that would give you a unique natural taste of fresh food that is grilled in a special way.

It is totally a new concept grill restaurant in town. Wonderful fresh premium selection of meats as Ostrich, Camel, US Angus beef, Wagyu Japanese beef, Argentinean beef, Australian lamb, Omani lobster 850g and chicken.

Generous portions grill the way you like. It is also serving: the salad will be mixed live

on a trolley in front of the guest. A choice of 2 kinds of soups (either creamy or clear) will be served by waiter. Desserts will be on a trolley as individual portion. Main course ill be your selection from main raw dislplay.

Operating hours: It is open from Saturday to Thursday at 7.00 pm to 11.00 pm. Kids are charged as full. Tel: 661 1000 ext 4007 Crowne Plaza Jeddah, Al Corniche, Al Maadi road.

TEA LOUNGES Atrium Cafe (06) Tel: 671 4000 Jeddah Marriott Hotel, Palestine Street Located on the lobby area of the hotel and serves a superb selection of branded coffee, wide variety of tea, pastries and snacks.

Cafe Vienna (I8) Tel: 659 0000 Jeddah Hilton, North Corniche, Hera’a Street 169 Cafe Vienna, enjoy a freshly brewed speciality coffee or tea accompanied by a wide selection of fresh baked cakes and pastries, hot or cold savories, sandwiches and snacks. Oplen 34 hours daily.

Mashrabia Coffee Shop (07) Looking for a place to unwind and do business at the same time? It is Mashrabia Coffee Shop is

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the place to be. Enjoy a Free high speed wi-fi internet connectivity. Relax and unwind having your delicious coffee or tea and different kind of pastry and cake. Tel: 661 1000 ext. 4009 Crowne Plaza Jeddah, Al Corniche, Al Maadi road.

The Lounge at Park Hyatt Jeddah The Lounge is an elegant hub at the heart of the hotel, with a modern design featuring high ceilings and deep, relaxing armchairs.

Striking views across the Red Sea and King Fahd Fountain provide the perfect backdrop for a light business lunch or relaxing evening.

The Lounge serves an impressive selection of specialty teas and coffees, fresh juices and light meals. It also includes the Cigar room which will serve variety of high quality Cigars from around the world.

Hours:Open 24 hours daily For more information: 170 Tel:+966 2 263 9666 Fax:+ 966 2 263 9777 Mirador (O3) Tel: 670 8881 / 670 8882 North off Palestine Street Downstairs in the Patisserie enjoy the taste of delicate and ‘out of this world’ creations of a Swiss chefs.

Annafora Cafe(P7) Tel: 229 5555 InterContinental Jeddah, Corniche, Al Hamra district

Annafora Cafe offers a wide variety of coffee in Cafetiere. A selection of flavoured teas ub Okybger oits, sandwiches, freshly baked bread, croissant & pastries, Gateau Soiree, Pitit fours, assortment of Deluxe Canapes and cakes. A selection of cakes for take away are also available. Orders in advance are undertaken. Open from 9.00 am to 12.00 midnight.

360 Cafe Tel. 229 5555 InterContinental Jeddah, Corniche, Al Hamra district Enjoy the evening under the stars by the poolside at the newly opened 360 Cafe, featuring with a giant screen for live TV viewing. It offers traditional shisha service and snacks. Open from 7.00 pm to 1.00 am (Friday-Tuesday) Open from 7.00 pm to 2.00 am (Wednesday - Thursday) Soleil - Rosewood Corniche Tel: 02 260 7111 Rosewood Corniche Hotel, on Corniche at Sari Street.

With its beautiful crafted interiors and authentic Viennese delicacies, Soleil brings the charm and style of Vienna to Jeddah.

Soleil offers an ambience of informal luxury where guests may rendezvous with friends, conduct business meetings or just enjoy the best freshly brewed coffee, exclusive teas, delicious pastries and savories, handmade chocolates and exquisite Arabian sweets.

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Soleil is sure to be the new social gathering destination of the city.

Open 24 hours seven days a week.

Restaurant location: Ground Floor Sunset Lounge (H8) Tel: 658 8200 The Westin Jeddah, North Corniche A spectacular setting in Jeddah, this luxurious air-conditioned lounge with two outside terraces is an ideal location to watch the sunset. Choose from a selection of light snacks, home made pastries and ice creams as well as the quintessential sheesha! Open 12.00 pm-02.00am.

Tea Lounge Tel: 660 5000 Sunset Hotel, Al Rawdah Street Savor the culinary marvels of its award winning Pastry Chef while unwinding at the Tea Lounge.

The signature cakes & pastries, freshly baked breads, speciality ice creams and the 172 finest selection of exclusive teas, brewed coffee, freshly squeezed fruit juices along with a variety of hot & cold beverages are available for guests to enjoy in the comfort of the Tea Lounge or take away.

THAI Asia Restaurant (K5) Sari Street On the westbound carriageway travelling

150 metres from Madinah Road, this narrow fronted restaurant opens from a ‘nameless’ garage forecourt!

Look hard and you’ll find it. Expert opinions vary from “the best” to the “unimpressed” regarding the quality of the restaurant’s Thai cuisine. The prices will not break the wallet.

Oriental (K5) West of Madinah Road on Sari Street, turn right at first set of traffic lights by Marhaba Supermarket; the restaurant is on the left corner at next lights. It has a huge menu to choose from, with the guidance of a patient waiter or an oriental friend. Not a fancy decor, but definitely good value, with lots of regular patrons including us.

Thai Thai (I6) Tel: 691 3808 Prince Sultan Street, 100 metres south of Hera, next to SABB. Looks a nice place and has a good reputation for the authentic Thai food (part of Gulf Royal chain), and friendly service, but we have not yet tried it.

WORLD CUISINE Also see International section above.

Jamacia Grill (I7) on Hera Street besides the Al Nahda Gas Station, 1/2km west of Danube, and adjacent to Shish Kebab – watch for bright neon lights. All the dishes are authentic Jamaican meals, with flavours and spices

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from across the globe with Indian, Dutch, British, African and Indian influences.

The menu includes chicken dishes, seafood, burgers and curries. In soft opening stage when writing this article - supposed to be good but have not yet tried it.

On the Border Mexican Grill Andalus (O7) with Mexican dĂŠcor, and Tex Mex food such as salsa, fajitas, burritos, tacos and quesadillas. Another AFS run American chain.

On the Border Mexican Grill is a full service, casual dining restaurant chain which offers an extensive variety of Mexican favorites and is best known for its fajitas and margaritas. In 1982, three visionaries opened the first On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina in Dallas, Texas, the Latin food craze has become a growing phenomenon and today there are 170 outlets across America and fast growing in the Middle East and other parts of the world.

174 From mesquite-grill favorites to the famous Borderita Grande and Margarita selects, On the Border food and drinks offers a variety of innovative menu items and create an experience that is anything but ordinary. Starters such as Guacamole and Queso Live, Chicken Flautas, Empanadas to firecracker Stuffed Jalapenos will surely begin your cravings for more exciting menu line up.

Other favorites are off the grill items such as zesty Ranchiladas and appetizing Carne Asada, The Big Bordurrito, Double Stacked Club Quesadillas, The Ultimate Fajitas and Salmon Mexicana. Create your own Combo will allow you to choose combination and sample from out seven traditional Mexican favorites like Taco, Tamale and Chile Relleno to name a few. You will surely want for more, desserts featuring the popular Sizzling Apple Crisp is a best seller.

The relevance of On the Border has been quickly recognized by Arabian food Supplies who brought the brand in the Middle East. On the Border restaurant is located in Andalus St. in Jeddah Papaya (K7) Tel: 275 3425 off Malek Road, sth of Shatea souq near Sawari supermarket.

Plenty of parking and a very relaxing tropical garden jungle style retreat, decorated with natural plants and flowers, and small water fountains under a massive sky dome. Nice place for lunch or dinner. The food is Asian – Mediterranean fusion like Vietnam shrimp sticks, papaya salad along with fish, steaks pastas.

We can recommend it for great food, as well as the friendly and attentive service. Only complaint is the markup of pepsi and small water to SR 8 plus 15%.

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Sea Garden Restaurant (G8) Tel: 699 0090 Green Island, North Corniche.

Part of the fabulously attractive Green Island complex (managed by Saudi Oberoi) it is an outdoor relaxing and dining area set on stilts over the Red Sea. Charming and chic in its own way it seeped with tranquillity, and oozing with friendly ‘lazy Sunday afternoon’ kind of atmosphere and could be anybody’s private garden where family and friends gather.

Cooling breeze and the sound of waves breaking gently over the coral reef mingling with lingering aromas from the Food Court’s specials and the sheesha fruit flavoured smoke; this is not shabby at all!

The choice of 3 different cuisine - Lebanese, Chinese, Indian to ‘touch the spot’ when you feel peckish and Coffee Shop to quench your thirst. Kids Corner for your little ones while you or lay on the lawns picnic style as you please, or sit at the large tables or in the alcoves on the terrace overlooking the reef; this is relaxing time in the real sense!

Spears Restaurant (P7) Tel: 229 5555 InterContinental Jeddah, Corniche, Al Hamra district A new dining experience inspired by Brazilian barbecue. Relax in unique surrounding whilst the Spears menu brings the buffet to your table from soup of the day to sauces and garnishes to different meat specialties on swords carved before your very

eyes. Lunch - 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm and dinner - 7.00 to 1.00 am.

Also try Ganache Coffee Shop Basateen Mall light lunches, grilled veg sandwiches, omelettes, chips very smart all white walls, white marble floors, big palm trees, big sense of light and space.

Theme Nights and Buffet Listings Most of the big hotels and a few restaurants have buffets on some nights of the week.

Prices range from SR 95-140, and for seafood up to SR 165, plus 15% s/c. Please phone and check as the type of buffet does change.

For Friday Brunch schedules see separate later section.

Saturday Oriental BBQ at the Jeddah Hilton, North 175 Corniche, Tel: 659 0000. A selection of Lebanese favourites, mezuzahs, famous salad bar and fresh grilled meat s to order and finish with your favourite Oriental delights.

International Buffet Al Diwan Cafe Restaurant, Radisson SAS Hotel (P6) Tel: 652 1234 ext 1136/1138

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Italian Night at the Mediterranean terrace at Albilad Hotel, North Corniche (H8) Tel: 694 4777.

Asia Pacific at Al Ferdaus Restaurant, Intercontinental Jeddah, Corniche, Al Hamra district, Tel: 229 5555. Experience the exotic and tempting cuisines of the Asian Continent, featuring Japanese, Chinese and Pan Asian foods to name a few.

Fresh materials in cooking and rich flavours are guaranteed every Saturday night. International Buffet at the Tropical Gardens at the Sheraton on the North Corniche (H8) Tel: 699 2212 International Themes Nights at Al Zahra Restaurant. The cozy ambience in the restaurant will take you through a culinary travel through different regions of countries with varieties of cuisine that will satisfy one and all for a week long taste. Crowne Plaza Jeddah, Al 176 Corniche, Al Maadi road, Tel: 661 1000 ext.

4006.International Buffet, at the Trident Hotel, Mina Street, Port Road, Tel: 647 4444. Seafood buffet every night at Al Mutlaqa (L8) Tel 683-3435 south side of Leylaty wedding hall on Malek road. Features sushi and sashimi.

Sunday Lebanese Buffet at Al Diwan Cafe Restau-

rant, Radisson SAS Hotel (P6) Tel: 652 1234 ext1136/1138 Indian Buffet at the Tropical Gardens at the Sheraton Hotel, North Corniche (H8) Tel: 699 2212 Charcoal Delights at the Mediterranean terrace at Albilad Hotel, North Corniche (H8) Tel: 694 4777.

Saudi Nights at Al Zahra Restaurant. The traditional Saudi sumptuous dinner buffet composed on live grills Mabshour, Kouzi Harri, Megalgal, Jarish and a lot more. Crowne Plaza Jeddah, Al Corniche, Al Maadi road, Tel: 6611000 ext. 4006 Barbecue Night at Al Ferdaus Restaurant, Intercontinental Jeddah, Corniche, Al Hamra district, Tel: 229 5555. Delight yourself with the succulent tasteful Barbecue freshly served to perfection with salads, mezzah and garnishes that its Chefs have prepared. An experience surely worth trying with the whole family, business associates and friends.

Chinese Buffet, at the Trident Hotel, Mina Street, Port Road, Tel: 647 4444. Seafood buffet every night at Al Mutlaqa (L8) Tel 6833435 south side of Leylaty wedding hall on Malek Rd. Features sushi and sahimi.

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Monday

table every Monday night.

Seafood Night at Al Zahra Restaurant. Grand Seafood theme night with the best seafood in town enough to fill your palate (fresh lobster, shrimps, crabs, scallops, clams and fresh fish dishes). Crowne Plaza Jeddah, Al Corniche, Al Maadi road, Tel: 6611000 ext. 4006.

Seafood Night at Al Bassateen Restaurant, Marriott Hotel, Palestine Street (O6) Tel: 671 4000.

Seafood Buffet at Al Diwan Cafe Restaurant, Radisson SAS Hotel (P6) Tel: 652 1234 ext 1136/1138 International Buffet at the Sheraton Hotel, North Corniche (H8) Tel: 699 2212 Seafood at the Mediterranean terrace at Albilad Hotel, North Corniche (H8) Tel: 694 4777 Pescatore at the Jeddah Hilton, North Corniche, Tel: 659 0000. Catch fresh seafood delights on the buffet.

Viva Italia at Al Ferdaus Restaurant, Intercontinental Jeddah, Corniche, Al Hamra district, Tel: 229 5555. You don’t have to travel to Italy to experience the romantic ambience and enjoy freshly made, authentic Italian favorites. We shall leave you astonished by the greatest selection of Pizza, Pasta, Risotto and more. In fact, we bring it here at your

BBQ Buffet at the Trident Hotel, Mina Street, Port Road, Tel: 647 4444.

Seafood buffet every night at Al Mutlaqa (L8) Tel 683-3435 south side of Leylaty wedding hall on Malek Road. Features sushi and sahimi.

Tuesday Mexican Night at Al Zahra Restaurant. Discover the whole new day to love seafood.

It offer a wide variety of seafood selection around the globe. Crowne Plaza Jeddah, Al Corniche, Al Maadi road, Tel: 6611000 ext.

4006.

International & Oriental at Al Roshan Restaurant in Al Salam Holiday Inn, Kilo 2 Makkah 177 Road. Tel: 631 4000 ext. 8146 International Buffet at Al Diwan Cafe Restaurant, Radisson SAS Hotel (P6) Tel: 652 1234 ext1136/1138 International Buffet in the Tropical Gardens at the Sheraton Hotel, North Corniche (H8) Tel: 699 2212

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Silk Road at the Jeddah Hilton, North Corniche, Tel: 659 0000. Follow Marco Polo’s exploration on Exotic Asian cuisines.

Arabian Night at the Mediterranean terrace at Albilad Hotel, North Corniche (H8) Tel: 694 4777

Italian Night in the Da Pino Restaurant at the Red Sea Palace Hotel, Balad (R6) Tel: 652 8555 Italian Night at the Trident Hotel, Mina Street, Port Road, Tel: 647 4444.

La Petite France at Al Ferdaus Restaurant, Intercontinental Jeddah, Corniche, Al Hamra district, Tel: 229 5555. Treat yourself to a sumptuous French buffet and let Executive French Chef pamper you with traditional and exotic French cuisines.

International Night - at Al Roshan Restaurant 178 Al Salam Holiday Inn, Kilo 2, Makkah Road, the speciality is bouillabaisse, Tel: 631 4000 ext 8146.

Seafood buffet every night at Al Mutlaqa (L8) Tel 683-3435 south side of Leylaty wedding hall on Malek road. Features sushi and sahimi.

Wednesday Seafood Night at Al Zahra Restaurant. Grand

Seafood theme night with the best seafood in town enough to fill your palate (fresh lobster, shrimps, crabs, scallops, clams and fresh fish dishes). Crowne Plaza Jeddah, Al Corniche, Al Maadi road, Tel: 6611000 ext. 4006.

Oriental Night at Al Ferdaus Restaurant, Intercontinental Jeddah, Corniche, Al Hamra district, Tel: 229 5555.

Enjoy authentic Middle Eastern cuisine that will temp even the most discerning palate.

Traditional Arabic and International desserts to end with a sweet note.

Barbecue Night at La Brasserie, Red Sea Palace Hotel (R6) Tel: 642 8555. With wide variety of side dishes.

Il Mosaico, at the Jeddah Hilton, North Corniche, Tel: 659 0000. Your favorites from the sunny Mediterranean Rivieria.

Egyptian Buffet at Al Diwan Cafe Restaurant, Radisson SAS Hotel (P6) Tel: 652 1234 ext1136/1138 French Night at the Mediterranean terrace at Albilad Hotel, North Corniche (H8) Tel: 694 4777.

Mediterranean Night - pool side , Al Salam Holiday Inn, Kilo 2 Makkah Road. Tel. 631 4000 ext. 8146. Specializing in Mediterranean seafood and grills.

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Seafood Buffet in the Tropical Gardens at the Sheraton Hotel, North Corniche (H8) Tel: 699 2212 BBQ Night Al Bassateen Restaurant, Marriott, Palestine Street (O6) Tel: 671 4000. Arabic Buffet, at the Trident Hotel, Mina Street, Port Road, Tel: 647 444.

Seafood buffet every night at Al Mutlaqa (L8) Tel 683-3435 south side of Leylaty wedding hall on Malek Rd. Features sushi and sahimi.

Thursday All About Seafood at Al Ferdaus Restaurant, Intercontinental Jeddah, Corniche, Al Hamra district, Tel: 229 5555.

Savor irresistible fresh seafood, hot entrees and salads combines with the culinary talents from Chef. A truly sumptuous seafood selection you can’t resist.

International Themes Nights at Al Zahra Restaurant. The cozy ambience in the restaurant will take you through a culinary travel through different regions of countries with varieties of cuisine that will satisfy one and all for a week long taste. Crowne Plaza Jeddah, Al Corniche, Al Maadi road, Tel: 661 1000 ext. 4006.

Seafood Buffet in the Tropical Gardens at the Sheraton Hotel, North Corniche (H8)

Tel: 699 2212 BBQ Night at the Mediterranean terrace at Albilad Hotel, North Corniche (H8) Tel: 694 4777 from 7.00 pm - midnight.

BBQ Night- pool side, Al Salam Holiday Inn, Kilo 2, Makkah Road. Tel: 631 4000 ext 8146. Specializing in Oriental and Western style grills.

BBQ’s Night at the Jeddah Hilton, North Corniche, Tel: 659 0000. Enjoy succulent grilled meats, chicken and fish.

Seafood Buffet - A magical experience at Al Danah Restaurant, The Green Island complex (G8) with superb food, wonderful presentation in a remarkable setting. (Have run out of stars to give it justice!) Tel: 699 0990 Seafood Buffet Al Diwan Cafe Restaurant, Radisson SAS Hotel (P6) 179 Tel: 652 1234 ext1136/1138 Seafood Night at La Brasserie, Red Sea Palace Hotel (R6), Tel: 642 8555 offers a sumptuous seafood buffet.

Indian Buffet, at the Trident Hotel, Mina Street, Port Road, Tel: 647 444.

Seafood buffet every night at Al Mutlaqa (L8)

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Tel 683-3435 south side of Leylaty wedding hall on Malek road. Features sushi and sahimi.

Street, Port Road, Tel: 647 444.

International, Jeddah InterContinental Hotel, Corniche (P7) Tel: 661 1800.

Friday

Seafood buffet every night at Al Mutlaqa (L8) Tel 683-3435 south side of Leylaty wedding hall on Malek Rd. Features sushi and sahimi.

International Themes Nights at Al Zahra Restaurant. The cozy ambience in the restaurant will take you through a culinary travel through different regions of countries with varieties of cuisine that will satisfy one and all for a week long taste. Crowne Plaza Jeddah, Al Corniche, Al Maadi road, Tel: 661 1000 ext. 4006.

International Buffet at Al Diwan Cafe Restaurant, Radisson SAS Hotel (P6) Tel: 652 1234 ext1136/1138 Culinary Cavalcade at the Jeddah Hilton, North Corniche, Tel: 659 0000. Local and International favorites featuring a fresh prepared specialties of the day.

International Buffet in the Tropical Gardens 180 at the Sheraton Hotel, North Corniche (H8) Tel: 699 2212.

Mexican Night at Sanabel Restaurant, Hotel Sofitel, Palestine Street (O6) Tel: 660 2000.

Taste of Asia Night at the Mediterranean terrace at Albilad Hotel, North Corniche (H8) Tel: 694 4777.

Around the World at Al Ferdaus Restaurant, Intercontinental Jeddah, Corniche, Al Hamra district, Tel: 229 5555. Tantalize your taste buds with various tastes and flavours from around the world. Whether you prefer Asian, Arabic or Western specialties, they are served in a tasteful buffet every Friday night.

FRIDAY BRUNCH Friday Brunch has always been popular in Jeddah, especially with the summer heat and humidity. Usually from 12.00 -4.00 pm but some have brunch starting earlier. Check times & prices – from SR 90 – SR 150 plus 15% s/c.

Family Brunch - Pool side, Al Salam Holiday Inn, Kilo 2, Old Mkkah Road, Tel: 631 40000 ext 8146. Offering a memorable time with the family over a delicious buffet especially prepared for all ages. Family Brunch at the Mediterranean terrace at Albilad Hotel, North Corniche (H8) Tel: 694 4777.

International Buffet, at the Trident Hotel, Mina

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181 Fun for Everyone at Al Basateen Restaurant, Jeddah Marriott Hotel, Palestine Street (06) Tel: 671 4000 Enjoy its wide selection of international cuisine with family and friends.

A real treat for kids, with a special mini Buffet, exciting games, face painting and Marrio the clown. Make the most of your Friday’s fun at the Jeddah Marriott for the whole family and friends.

Amwaj, at the Jeddah Hilton, North Corniche, Tel: 659 0000. A Friday brunch with a view.

With fabulous choices from the International buffet you have the chance to relish freshly prepared dishes ranging from sumptuous seafood to succulent roasts. Round off your feast with tempting desserts and immerse yourself into the spectacular view of the Red Sea.

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La Brasserie Red Sea Palace Hotel, Balad (R6) Tel: 642 8555 Highly recommended starter is its famous tempura prawns, then enjoy something from the “Carvery”/carving station completing your Friday journey with any one of the scrumptious desserts.

Al Diwan, Radisson Blu Hotel, Madinah Road (P6) Caters for a classically high standard brunch with the additional special Radisson ‘touch’ and taste for the whole family to discover and enjoy.

Tel: 652 1234 ext 1136.

Al Ferdaus Restaurant, Jeddah InterContinental Hotel, Corniche (P7) Starting with cereals fruit and croissant you can eat your way through a buffet that offers an innumerable amount of fresh salads, six different pastas with a choice of ten accom182 paniments cooked to order in front of you.

The extensive Carvery also includes roast beef and the traditional shiwarma and to finish the meal with, a vast choice of desserts from Arabic sweets to European classics..

And, of course, you can find the busy clown entertaining children. Tel: 661 1800 ext 4020/4003.

Swimming Pool Area, Golden Tulip (former Kaki Hotel), Old Airport Road (Q5) Enjoy the Friday Brunch with all kinds of International and Oriental dishes with plenty of entertainment for the children in a reserved recreation area. Tel: 631 2201.

The Texan Restaurant Le Meridien, Madinah Road (M5) Family Brunch Buffet with a Country & Western flavour with an American theme. Play area for children is also provided. Tel: 663 3333.

Al Waha Restaurant, Sheraton Hotel, North Corniche (H8) In a lovely indoor-outdoor setting located on the hotel’s ground floor, enjoy a wide selection of international cuisine. In the winter months the outdoor patio with a view over the pool, gardens and the Corniche offers a wonderfully pleasant and popular venue for events, therefore booking in advance is recommended Tel: 699 2212.

LUNCH STOPS American Corner in Kalidiya is an old time favourite, especially with the Saudia crowd.

Express Lunch at Al Basateen Restaurant, Jeddah Marriott Hotel, Palestine Street (O6) serves in less than half an hour, a quantity of orders from soup to a buffet with international specialities.

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Tel: 671 4000.

Il Castello off Khaled bin Walid Street (P5) is very popular La Cuisine on Palestine Street, opposite the Jamjoom Centre (O7) Tel: 663 0363 has an excellent three course business lunch.

FRIDAY LUNCH Friday Family Lunch at Al Zahra Restaurant. Every Friday of the week, enjoy a variety of multi-cuisine dishes from the world with your family. Exclusive corner for your kids where they can play games and enjoy meals of their choice. Crowne Plaza Jeddah, Al Corniche, Al Maadi road, Tel: 661 1000 ext. 4006.

CafĂŠ Vienna Enjoy a freshly brewed speciality coffee or tea accompanied by a wide selection 184 of freshly baked cakes and pastries, hot or cold savories, sandwiches and snacks.

Located in the Lobby Hotel, Jeddah Hilton, North Corniche, Tel: 659 0000.

China Hut off Sitteen Street at the junction of Waly Al Ahd offers lunch for great value.

Crusty in Khalidiya a cafe/bakery for excellent coffee and bread, baquettes, muffins, quiches etc with an all day combo meal of soup or salad and sandwich and soft drink

for SR 35.

Al Dar, next to the Kanoo Building on Madinah Road is hugely popular for lunch.

Tel: 665 2281 Al Diwan Cafe at the Radisson SAS, Madinah Road (P6) offers an International Buffet.

Al-Gahwa at the Red Sea Palace (R6).

Hokkaido Restaurant, Radisson Blu Hotel, Madinah Road (P6) An intimate dining room, tastefully decorated and offering good-sized portions of delicious cuisine. Business lunch menu is available Tel: 652 1234 ext 1148 Ikea (N4) corner Tahlia and Sitteen Street with big parking undercover. Well known Swedish furniture store. Also has a good cafe/restaurant selling very affordable meals - meatballs, salmon, salads etc. After 9.30 am they have a breakfast meal of strips of beef bacon, 2 sausages, bread and scrambled eggs for 4 SR!!.

The Plaza Hotel opposite Ali Reza Tower, northbound on Madinah Road offers a daily three-course business lunch.

Al Rawdah at the Trident (S7) offers business breakfast and the daily lunch & dinner buffets.

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Rendezvouz Café on Tahlia Street, just before the Galleria Mall going eastbound (M6) has purple neon lighting throughout that can take some getting used to and an Internet Cafe in the downstairs singles section. Breakfast, salads, burgers, steak, club sandwiches, interesting coffees and cocktails are being served.

Steakhouse (K7) Tel: 682 9955 Malek Road north of Sari, & Red Sea Mall, Millenium Centre on Tahliah St.Well known restaurant chain with hearty steaks, burgers, Tex –Mex platters, soup and salad bar and sandwiches. Good lunch time specials with regular patrons.

Sanabel at the Sofitel (O6) on Palestine Street is great for a lunch with French flair.

Al Waha Restaurant, Sheraton Hotel, North Corniche (H8) An Indian buffet lunch every day except Friday. Tel: 699 2212 ext66301

Spices Tel: 667 6655 Madinah Road, Opp. Musaadiah Shopping Area. If you wish to invite a group of Businessmen for Lunch, you would much rather choose a place that not only has a soothing ambience but also offers you the finest in gourmet cuisine. ”Spices” the restaurant offers you and your guests just that. Here you can spend your time discussing private business matters while the chefs cook up your selection of mouth-watering Asian dishes.

Sea Island Cafe, Green Island complex, North Corniche, open air- built on the sea side with an exclusively family section on the swimming pool side is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner until 2 am. Excellent food accompanied by a great sheesha service is its main feature.

Crowne Plaza, (O7) A good lunch buffet (Continental Cuisine) at a greatly affordable price. Tel: 661 1000 Ext : 4006 Budget Meals & Cafes Their wholesome meals represent Indian, Pakistani, Indonesian and many different Arab style home cooking as well as simple dishes from the Philippines and Turkey. Served mostly without trimmings 185 in a buzzing mamma’s kitchen decor setting, the concept focuses on providing an inexpensive meal that brings back the tastes of every-day cooking of a home somewhere far away especially to men on bachelor status. Always bustling and busy with custom these friendly places welcome all visitors. Some have comfortable family sections.

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Saudi Al Joraif (R5) Tel: 631 7901 Heading southbound on Prince Fahd (Sitteen) Street, exit at Makkah Road but continue in Sitteen Street service road. Take the second right after the bank into Abu Muslim al Hara’a Street. Directly ahead on the T-junction is Al Joraif.

It supposed to be the best of Saudi ‘kitchens’ in Jeddah.

Bangladeshi / Indian / Pakistani Al Zehra (N3) on Prince Majed Street, south of Tahlia Street serves curry with free salad and as much bread as you can eat! (Watch it being made in the ‘tandoor’ oven.) Mehran and Kababish are next door with similar menus.

Al Bahouli (I5) is in the Bangladeshi Mar186 ket north-east of the junction of Hera’a Street with Madinah Road. Go north in the Madinah Road service road from the junction, take the second right at the filling station. The road goes to a single track turn right at the red and yellow supermarket sign (P103 marked on wall) and follow the track to the souq area - the restaurant is on the corner with an Arabic sign. No family section.

Chakarachat - Named after the house speciality located on the corner of a row of small shops opposite the fire station just off Prince Fahd (Sitteen) Street.

A new addition to the Jeddah scene, it is a Bel Poori house - which is Bombay beach fast food and quite delicious. Clean and incredibly inexpensive, (dishes from four riyals - two will fill you) avoid weekends as the queues are enormous. Takeaways and party sized catering packs on request.

Jeddah Darbar - Student Cafe (M4) Sab’een Street, turning right travelling eastbound of Tahliya Street, East of Madinah Road. As already mentioned in the ‘Indian’ section this part open-air part-indoor restaurant serves delectable curry by the platterful.

They also do great value outside catering.

Tel: 673 1349 or 675 0952 For more contact see previous Indian/ Pakistani main Restaurants section.

Chinese / Thai/Indonesian / Filipino The Captain on Palestine Street at the junction with Madinah Road serves Chinese food at very low prices. also China Hut as mentioned under Lunch Stops, Bulakeno (formerly Zamboanga) under Filipino;

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Asia and Oriental off Sary Street (listed under Thai); Shanghai (M5) is opposite STTB in the Samariya Centre near the International Market and also on Heraa Street; Indonesian Padang (K5) is next to the Casablanca Hotel on Saqr Quraish Street, just off the Madinah Road; Orient Pearl, (R6) another Thai Restaurant in the Corniche Markets building, next to NCB; Jakarta Restaurant (N5) next to the Red Sea Compound, north of Al Fanous supermarket in Baladiyya Street; Sumatra Restaurant (P5) on Khalid bin Walid Street; Tropical Restaurant (R6) serves Filipino/ Far Eastern cuisine in the Faisalia Centre; Shawli is (in various other locations) - on the second floor of the Corniche Commercial Centre (R6), at the Filipino Souq north of Saudia City (L7), and a fast food branch in the International Market (M5). Singapore Hawker (N5) is an excellent lunch or dinner venue a few doors down from “Mothercare” in the City Centre complex.

Turkish On Sitteen Street north of the Palestine Street flyover, near the Gharnatah Street intersection (N4) there are several Turkish Cafes serving good quality charcoal grilled kebabs in special Turkish bread, and Boukhari (K6) on Sary Street west of Madinah Road has also a family section upstairs.

Very popular because of good food at good prices in the Hera area is Al Farouz Tel 622 7361– about 500 metres west of Danube.

Fast service, family section upstairs -also hjas another branch on Sitteen street.

Ladies' Only Dardasha at Park Hyatt Jeddah The Restaurant and Lounge at Evania, Ladies' Spa, presents an elegant dining experience within the luxurious spa retreat. Offering exquisite à-la-carte dining for ladies, with indoor and alfresco seating, including a sophisticated array of traditional Middle 187 Eastern and International cuisine. This is the perfect spot to relax before a spa pampering, or socialize after.

Hours: Open daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm Reservations: Tel:+966 2 263 9666 Fax:+ 966 2 263 9777

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Ice Cream Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Parlours 1/Mosadia Plaza,Madina Road 2/Al-Hamra, Near Fountain Corniche 3/ Baroom Centre, Ruwais Dist 4/Al-Amoudi Centre, Prince Abdulla Street Khalidiya, 02-6060795 5/Hijaz Plaza, Bawadi Dist.,02-2573894 6/ Prince Majid Street, Azizia District, 02-6741649 7/ Saqr Quraysh Street, Salama Dist.

02-6979029 8/ Khalid Centre, Walya Ahad Street 9/ Shaker Centre, Cycle Round About 10/ Kilo 5, Makkah Road 11/ Andalus Street, Nr.Falasteen St. Junction 12/ Majid St. & Tahlia St. Junction, Azizia District, 026701530 13/ Rawdha Comm. Centre, Hamid Al Jasir Street, Rawda Dist 14/ Herra Street, Near Danube Super Market Nahda Dist 15/ Arbaeen Street & Phalasteen St. Junction Rehab Dist. 02-2872474 16/ Sawari Shopping Cen., Al Malik St 17/ Jeddah Mall, 188 Tahliya Street 02-6654399 18/ Amir Metab Street (40Th St.) Safa Dist. 02-6283916 19 / Shop No41 Daniya Centre Hera St. 026586364 20/ Sawari Super Store, Sari Street Rawdha Dist 21 / Sultan Mall 02-8977275 22/ Safa Dist. 02-2710015 23 / Makaraonah St., Nr.Compass Round About Rabwa Dist 24 / Shop #Gf6A Shellal Theme Park Shati Dist 25/ Jarir Mall Pr.Sultan St, Naeem Dist 26 / Shop#316 Seirafi Mall Faisalia Dist 02-

2841103 27/ Al Rufaidi Street Samit Dist.

28/ King Abdul Aziz Street Shati Dist 29 Ext. Pr.Salman Ibn St Naeem Dist 02-6055483 30/ Abdul Qudous Al Ansari St Sulaimania Dist 02-2274346 31/ Abraj Park & Restaurant Complex, Corniche Road 02-6067527 32/ CORNICHE ROAD BEHIND ATALLAH RESIDENTIAL 02-6941120 33/ Arafat Street Fawaris Centre Andalus DIst-1 34 / Al Aqsa Street Samir Dist 35/ King Abdulla Road, FD-14 Red Sea Mall 36/ Andalus Mall, King Abdullah Road, OLD AIRPORT AREA. 026303656 37/ NASEEM DIST AL MURTAZA ROAD OPP. TOYOTA SHOWROOM NEAR NAHDI PHARMACY 38/ MURJAN DIST Murjan Street Next to Dunkin Donut 39/ Corniche Street Hail Al Hamra Gazzaz 40 / Al Tahlia Street Opp.Bustan Center Near Corel Mall 41/ Amir Sultan Bin Salman Road Mohammadiya Dist 42/ Mushrifa Dist Palestine St Mushrifa Dist 43/ Palastine Street Near Bin Dawood, Opp. Jamjoom Centre 44/ JEDDAH Abdulla Sulaiman St, Near King Abdul Aziz University, Fayha Dist. 45/ JAMIA DIST 46/ Madina Service Road Near Jawhara Petrol Station, Basateen Dist 47/ AMIR METAB STREET, DANUBE SUPER MARKET 48/ AMIR METAB STREET MARWA DIST-2,49/ JEDDAH MAKKAH HIGHWAY AMIR FAWAZ DIST. 50/ QURAISH STREET BAWADI DIST, 51/ MUROOR STREET, AL WAZIRIYAH DIST. 52/ MALL OF ARABIA MADINA ROAD, NUZHA DIST,

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53/ Aziz Mall Prince Majid Bin Abdul Aziz St. 54/ UMAL QURA STREET, SAFA DIST 12 55/BASATTEN DIST., 56/ BATTERJY ST. 57/ HEERA STREET, NUZHA DIST.”

ing on rows of skewers - SR14 apiece - all over the town in front of cafes and can be easily spotted (just like shwarmas) even from a travelling car.

Haagen Dazs - Al Hamra shopping Centre, Corniche Sports Cafe - Tahlia Street near Galleria

To find the above mentioned selections try the row of cafes in Baghdadia/Ammariya downtown (east of Al Bayya Square, the end of Madinah Road R6) or all along the stretch of Madina road Sari Street, Heraa Street, or Corniche near Desalination plant (our favourite sharwma is right next to MacDonalds - ask for no fries and more pickles) and all across town where there is a JUICE BAR.

FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS Middle Eastern SHAWARMA, is cooked on large, upright, rotating skewers and consisting of chicken or beef (meat). The meat is sliced off the skewer and wrapped in pitta bread according to your choice of tahini paste, chips, various pickles, tomatoes and chopped salads such as parsley, lettuce within seconds of you ordering!

MUTABBAK is an omelette type pancake or a pancake type omelette - I really can’t tell the difference - filled with vegetables and/or meat.

FALAFELS are deep fried balls of mashed chickpeas - an Egyptian speciality.

Most shiwarma cafes also do SHISH KEBAB - charcoal grilled chunks of beef or lamb on skewers or make SHISH TAWOOK - marinated chicken on skewers with the customary selection of freshly squeezed fruit juices.

Whole, SPIT ROAST CHICKENS are rotat-

CAMEL KEBABS (in Balad) to be found along King Abdul Aziz Street beyond the Mahmal Centre bridge.

Burgers - International Chain Standing individually or in shopping centres you can find your favourite in almost every corner of the city. The western type fast food market offers a huge selection with regular 189 special offers such as the ‘Combo meal’ or ‘all you can eat’ lunches. Served either as a Drive-in take-away or eaten on the premises it’s a booming food market that grew into the classic feature of a modern city. Head for busy main roads or shopping malls all over town as well as you’ll find them grouped together along certain Tahliya Street and Waly Al Ahd Street - or as far north as the Creek

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road in Abhor.

Burger King - flame grilled burgers at sites including Tahlia Street and Hera’a Street and Abhor, most have play areas.

Capo Grillo next to Danube in the Khalidiya - very clean, good service, friendly waiters, and great burgers etc at reasonable prices Dairy Queen - burgers and hotdogs from one location on the Corniche.

Hardees - more burgers. For Home Delivery in the Western Area – Sitteen Street call 660 0170 or 664 1003.

Joes Diner- next to Danube in Khalidiya and Star Avenues Mall specializing in burgers Jollibees – Filipino chain at good prices - near the Bicycle Roundabout, and Kalidiya –by FedEx. Kudu - a Filipino chain - stores everywhere – good cheap burgers and sandwiches as well 190 as breakfasts.

ians should try the ‘vegie’-burger.

Burgers - Local Chains Back Street Diner -Areed Ibn Mahsha street, Off Prince Sultan Street, Behind Al Nakheel Supermarket - good combo meals and burgers at very good prices Al-Dewan - has a menu similar to McDonalds with good quality food.

Diner 66 – Rawdah St, 400 meters west of Madinah Rd by SAMBA Herfy is a Riyadh based chain which has outlets on Hera’a Street, Quraish Street, Palestine Street.

Chicken - International Chains KFC – “fingers lickin’ good” chicken in burgers, nuggets and drumsticks.

Popeyes - chicken and biscuits plus a variety of seafood platters.

McDonalds - just look for the Golden arches, most have play areas. See for Home Deliveries in the section below.

Chicken - Local Chains Americana Chicken Tikka - quarter chicken, fries and bread for SR10.

Al Baik - is in healthy competition with KFC, locations all over Jeddah- extremely busy at lunch and dinner.

Wendy’s - increasing their outlets across Jeddah, they specialise in burgers with side dishes such as stuffed potatoes and salad bar. Wimpy - good British burgers! Vegetar-

Al Dewan - also serves broast.

Al Tazaj - cooks the chickens in giant rotating baskets over charcoal, locations all over Jeddah.

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Pizza Sheikh - also serves broast.

Pizza - International Chains Pizza Hut - has lots of branches in Jeddah, some with play areas.

Shakeys - has several restaurants with three types of pizza, nachos, spaghetti, lasagne and salad bar.

Pizza - Local Chains.

Al Dewan - also serves pizza Pizza Sheikh - several branches serving pizzas in varying sizes, calzone, submarine sandwiches, salad bar and chicken.

Pizza Amore- opposite Coral mall off Tahlia Pizza Napoli 692 7796 Rawdah St. Khalidiya, next to Subway Portafino - Rawdah St opposite King Faisal Specialist Centre Sofitel Hotel in Al-Hamra Distr. on Palestine Street. Unique exquisitely good medium size pizzas with various toppings at your request.

Order by phone but have to pick it up yourself. May seem too much trouble, but I guarantee it is worth the extra trip! Tel: 660 4145 Mexican Tex Mex - at Sultan mall food court

HOME & OFFICE DELIVERY Here is a large selection on offer.

Chinese Gulf Royal Chinese Restaurant - Prince Abdullah Street 665 3335 Bamboo Sea Food Restaurant Prince Abdullah Street 664 2999 Gulf Royal Sea food Restaurant- Al Andalus Street, Near American Consulate 664 1220 Oriental Garden Restaurant Tel: 692 0972 Behind MacDonalds in Khalidiya Safina - Al Andalus Street 664 5266 Indian Shezan - Al Andalus Street 665 6040 Pizza Domino’s Domino’s Domino’s Domino’s 4150

- Corniche 683 5633 - Mosadia 660 2949 - Heraa Street 654 9780 - Saudia City 682 0030 ext 191

Al Dewan Bawadi 683 5396 Caravan 651 1052 Corniche 694 0443 Hera’a Street 654 4934 Salamah 682 2610 Tahlia Street 665 7575 University 688 5992 Pizza Napoli 6927796 Khalidiya

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Burgers, Chicken and Pizzas Americana Chicken Tikka 651 5748 KFC (Corniche branch, ask for other numbers) 697 6549

16/ East of Makkah Highway, Ruhaili Gas station (Tel: 280-0867) 17/ Next to Attallah Theme Park, North of Corniche Area (Tel: 622 2846) 18/ Macarona Str, opp Prince Majid Park (Tel: 682 9783)

McDonalds

Pizza Hut - pizzas, lasagne 660 1800

1- Al Hamra Commercial centre, Corniche Rd (Tel: 664 6902) 2 - Heraa International Souk, Madinah Rd (Tel: 654 3426 3/Khalid 2 Commercial Centre, Khalid bin Al-Waleed Str (Tel: 6513034) 4/Najjar Commercial Centre, Prince Abdullah Str (Tel: 665 8163) 5/Palestine Rd (672 8410) 7/ Tahlia Str, Al-Andaluse Dstr (Tel: 667 5619) 8/ Al Watani Super Centre, North of Tahlia Str, Al Safa Dstr (Tel: 670 7734) 9/ Queen’s Bldg, Balad Dstr (Tel: 642 4711) 192 10/Sari Str, Madina Rd, opp Al-Raya Supermarket (Tel: 683 0590) 11/ Al Sulaimaniyah Centre (Tel: 640 2290) 12/ Oasis Mall, Amir Fahd Str corner (Tel: 652 7271) 13/Al-Khayyal Centre, Prince Abdullah Str (Tel: 256 3981) 14/ West of Heraa Str (Tel: 256 1835) 15/ Intersection: of Thalia and Prince Majeed Str (Tel: 674 7942)

Pizza Sheikh - pizzas, chicken, submarine sandwiches 665 9111 Popeyes - chicken, shrimp platters 667 5801 The Cheese Cake Factory, has branches in Badar Center, Thalia Street, Tel: 669 0895, Sawarly Mall Tel: 694 6112, Serafi Mega Mall Tel: 284 5331, Red Sea Mall Tel 669 0895.

Restaurants and hotels offer outside catering and home entertaining service and along with it they will provide you with staff (chefs and waiters), tables, chairs, crockery and cutlery at your request hence leaving you stress-free to enjoy the company of your guests.

There are many more restaurants that have opened recently and some perhaps not yet had been discovered. We would be delighted if, for the benefit of all our readers, you could let us know and could share with us your own new discoveries that are not mentioned in this book. Please call on 631 8541 or e-mail us on: ac-advert@jcdinfo.com

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in the r pastime jo a m a is , new Shopping on to this omti c a re . In mushro Kingdom tres are n e c there g in shopp y. Surely ially it c e th ss w, espec ing acro gh by no u o dah. n e e b a of Jed must re a t s e rth-w d with in the no ces fille la a p il reta stores, Ornate e chain rg la to other its st each small un in a g a te pe e large they com mers. Despite th rity of sto for the cu stores, the majo shoes, of clothes, number re a le sa ctronic items on mes. Ele now u rf e p d an ll k jewellery popular with we tores. re s a n eir ow goods th h it w s me brand na

There is a distinct ‘mall life;” families wander the shopping malls window shopping for hours. Cafes and restaurants –frequently outlets of large chains – have a presence in most malls, as do the inevitable coffee shop chains.

All malls are air conditioned – that is part of the attraction. They offer respite from the humid summer months and become something of a social centre. A large centre includes many facilities of a small city, such as art galleries, banks, restaurants and sports facilities.

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First and most importantly, although it is still essentially a cash society, an ever increasing number of outlets do accept credit and debit cards with cards issued by local banks operating on a signature and PIN security system. If you have a bank account here it might be worthwhile getting a SPAN (Saudi Payment Network) card that acts as an instant debit card - literally.

Nearly all shops take this now and it also enables you to get money from an ATM (as long as there are funds in your account) without incurring costs on your credit card or keeping large sums of cash in the house.

Secondly, always ask for a discount! It is expected when you shop in Balad and the other souqs or even in the modern malls.

In the traditional markets or smaller shops each shopkeeper will have a different approach but the principle is the same.

They will say an outrageous price that they think they may just have a chance of getting the unsuspecting buyer to pay. Then, a

customary ritual of an often humorous and friendly exchange will follow, that should eventually get you the ‘best- best price, just for you’! Remember that the first price is hardly ever the last price for anything you want to buy in Jeddah, except perhaps in hotels.

So do shop around to get the best bargain and to avoid the occasional possibility of being charged well over the odds. In the end of course it is up to you - and if you find later that you haven’t got the price you thought you ought to have had, put it down to experience.

On the other hand you may find that, shops and shopkeepers honour their customer relations and on your return they’ll treat you as one of their favourite special customer.

Essentially they’re the ‘friend’ not the ‘foe’ keen to win your trust and custom.

Talking of discounts, lot of shops and supermarkets on request will present you with their VIP 5% or 10 % discount cards if you have already spent a certain large amount at their shop. Don’t forget to ask!

In Jeddah they know how to do sales - not 5, not 10 – an inviting and a ‘wallet tempting’ 50% and upwards is quite common nowadays, even on the west end of Tahlia Street, also known as the Knightsbridge of Jeddah.

70-85% sales are getting to be more frequent and a 90% is not unheard of – brings the out of reach, longed for items from couple of thousands to a mere few hundred Riyals in shops like Dolce and Gabbana, Printemp, or DKNY.

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The Souqs Balad is a fine collection of and the most original of main traditional souqs. With new developments on the periphery it truly offers the best of both worlds. To go either on a weekday morning or on a Thursday night is to see two entirely different places.

Although people do shop on a Thursday evening, it is better to just soak up the atmosphere - the sights, sounds and smells that combine to make a perfume that has haunted souks from thousands of years.

Gabel/Qabil Street is identifiable as a wide ‘pedestrianised’ thoroughfare that goes off to the left as you drive through the one-way system around the old city, directly opposite the Mahmal Centre.

Carry on up Gabel Street, passing the Gold Souq on your left and through to a covered section that seems to sell everything - shoes, household electrical appliances, watches, clothes, food. At the top of Gabel Street is the underpass that leads you to the Alawi Souq and takes you back in time.

If you turn right and head south you will come to one of the two restored gates to the Old City - Bab Sherif, surrounded by carpet shops. East and up the hill from here takes you to Bab Makkah Souq, famous for spices and silks.

If at any point you feel lost walk uphill and you will find yourself at (apart from ‘the other side of the mountain’) a famous landmark that you can go by - don’t worry, the Balad is only a small souq - or ask

any passer-by. Speaking from experience, local people are friendly, helpful and will eventually understand you and point your way back to a familiar landmark.

Parking is plenty but chaotic in Balad – there’s an underground car park that is signposted on your left just as you are parallel with the Corniche Commercial Centre, a multi-storey mall that is linked to the Mahmal Centre, and also an open air car park outside the Corniche Commercial Centre. Parking on side streets is limited and you run the risk of not remembering where you’ve left your car. Be warned!

Souqs around other parts of Jeddah are slightly less antiquated and time–worn, but equally exciting by offer spectacular shopping adventures and discoveries.

The Afghan Souq (S7) just off Sitteen Street near Al Hindiweyah, 215 is renowned for its great choice of carpet goods and prices. It is a narrow road of shops selling several types of genuine, good quality old Turkoman rugs, also tribal rugs from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

While looking through rugs and carpets you can stumble on a huge choice of other woven items such as bags, rucksacks, cushion covers and camel saddles.

Bawadi Souq (K4), north of the Satellite roundabout on Prince Fahd (Sitteen) Street is a colourful souq selling clothes, luggage, perfume and some great outfits for the children’s dressing up box!

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Canvas Souq (N3) The unofficial Tent Souq, to confuse things, is on Tahlia Street eastbound, just after the junction with Macarona Street, and has a more valid claim to its name as this one does sell tents, bags of all different sizes, repair zips, sew up dive gloves etc. Tents are handmade from sturdy canvas and made-to-measure from pup size to a marquee fit for a wedding.

You can choose pattern from the rolls of canvas on display - big bold red and white stripes is just one of the great choices.

The 2 ft long and 1/2 inch in diameter steel tent ‘pegs’ (and a denim bag to carry them in!) that are strong enough to hold a tent fast in the hurricane type winds we sometimes get here, are also made here.

Filipino Souq (L7) is known as Saudia Market by Filipinos and its official name is Khalidia. The most sure thing that it’s north of Saudia City 218 on Rawdah (Prince Abdullah) street and west of Prince Sultan street, and it is the place for designer brands of clothes and sports shoes, most are excellent imitations (shopkeepers may argue) for much less that the real thing.

It’s also great for travel bags, luggage, handbags and watches. Behind the Rawdah side there are lots of tailors for copying those expensive designs at a far less cost. Also it has a huge range of restaurants and coffee shops nearby, as well as the busy Danube supermarket catering for the local Saudia and KFSHRC staff.

Haraj Souq (V7) translates literally to Junk Souq - not an understatement by description! It is the

market for ‘Seconds’ – container loads of damaged goods end up here to find a buyer at any price. You have to be prepared to comb though patiently to look for your bargain and you’ll feel genuinely rewarded when you’ve founded it. This souq is located on the South Corniche, south of the Petromin Refinery.

Macarona Souq (O4) located on the northbound carriageway of Macarona Street, after the Al Rajhi bank, (there’s a Lebanese Fruit Juice ‘drink bar’ on the opposite side of the road), and here you’ll find the best choice in dress fabric, threads and general haberdashery. Some of the fabric shops are tremendous value with everything SR10 a metre from polyester to good quality linens cottons, voiles, satins - even velvet.

Also available are cosmetics, perfumes, shoes and a good lingerie shop. Unless you’re a master in the skills of Haute Couture, local tailors can either copy one of your previous designs for you or will saw from scratch for next to nothing but with admirable talents and occasionally with questionable workmanship.

Petromin Souq is not as far south as the Junk Souq, still, don’t trust your local taxi driver to find it without your absolute certainty of its location.

It is a vast collection of units in open warehouses with textiles, furniture, luggage, household goods and clothing. Textiles for curtains and upholstery are an absolute bargain at truly incredible prices - SR10-15 per metre that would cost SR100+ back home.

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Set aside a good couple of hours this visit unless you know exactly what you are going for and where to find it. The market doesn’t open until 11am and then is open all day (apart from prayer times) until around 10pm.

clothing and maternity wear shop and a nifty concession that prints photographs onto T-shirts and bags! There is also a Wimpy snack bar inside the children’s amusement centre on the first floor and a juice bar and coffee shop on the ground floor.

Syrian Souq (L1) is on the northbound carriageway of Prince Mitab - ‘Petromin’ - Street and south of Tahlia Street. Sells mostly Filipino fashions, pots and pans and, promises to make ‘made to measure’ curtains in 24 hours!

Al Basateen Commercial Centre (M7) is at the western end of Tahlia Street, is a light and airy mall on two floors that aims to appeal to the sophisticated shopper. All stores in this mall owned and managed by Al Sawani Company , and an international supermarket occupies a portion of the space. It is anchored by Al Sawani, a department store with a good range of clothing, cosmetics and home accessories.

Tent Souq (L4) is also known as ‘Old Mahmood Saeed’ on the northbound carriageway of Sitteen Street, near the Bicycle Roundabout – and it doesn’t sell tents! It’s a labyrinth of mostly open-air shops selling textiles, clothing, and furniture, toys, carpets, gold and jewellery. The name Tent Souq comes from the shape of its roof - made of tents.

Not to be confused with the Canvas Souq or tent souq on Tahlia- see earlier in this section.

There are also the Commercial Markets with lots of shops: Al-Hijaz; Al Shatee; Al Alawi New; Al Najjar International; Al Yamamah; Zahrat Al Siteen; Al Hamraa; and Jeddah International.

Below is the list of the Commercial Centres and shopping malls of Jeddah Baroom Commercial Centre (Q6) west of Hail Street is devoted almost entirely to computers and related equipment aside from the Sarawat Supermarket, a couple of clothing shops, a children’s

Other shops include Calvin Klein, Betty Barclay, Benetton, Max Mara, Bally, Body Shop, Baby Guess, La Perla Jumeira Trading Co.Ltd. and Jacadi. There are also a number of jewellers and a gallery selling paintings and other objets d’art.

219 Andalus Centre King Abdullah Road opposite King Abdulaziz Square near old airport. Parking for 2,500 cars and it has 360 shops with a lot of the well known international brands.

The Jeddah Science Oasis (JSO), a center of knowledge and “edutainment’ is located inside Al-Andalus Mall, JSO was established at a cost of more than SR14 million. Seven of its halls are permanent while the eighth is for traveling exhibits.

The seven halls are: Physics & Maths, Kids Area, Water Games, Robotics, Human Body, Air & Aviation and Science Show.

JSO is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 10

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p.m. from Saturday to Tuesday. On Thursdays visitors are allowed from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Bugshan Centre (N6) south of Tahlia Street, near the Sands Hotel, (also called the Dive Center by some people) is a drive up mall with the shops facing outwards on three sides of a square. It is still more commonly known as Safestway by us old timers, even though this closed many years ago! The Danube Supermarket moved in and there is also The Last Touch (very reliable picture framers), the Millennium Internet Café, Durrah Dive Centre and Blue Reef Divers and The Arab Circumnavigator (dive shop).

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Other shops nearby include Red Sea Divers, Desert Divers, Healthlines - a large sports clothing and equipment shop and for sound connoisseurs, Bang and Olufsen have a shop in the same building.

Centerpoint (I6) formerly City Plaza, on Prince Sultan street south of Hera street. A magnificently designed building, inside and outside, with a huge dome – “St. Pauls” to locals.

One of the distinct land marks of Jeddah.

Home Plaza Store on 2 floors combines fashion, lifestyle and home goods.

On the ground floor, there’s a large store with everything for children up to 9 years of age, Splash, Shoes Mart etc. First floor accommodates E Max – with lots of electronics and appliances and trained staff who actually ask you if you would like some assistance! There are other Centrepoint shops around Jeddah.

City Centre (N5), right next to the Al Shoula Centre and opposite Mosadia Plaza on Madinah Road, is primarily computer hardware and software stores and travel agents - there is a good branch of Mothercare in the adjacent strip mall.

Coral Mall (M6) off Tahlia Street at the intersection of Tahlia and Al Fitaihy Streets (Fuddruckers/ BMW). It consists of show rooms, restaurants, coffee shops - Goodies very popular Lebanese deli/casual restaurant, recreation area and coffee shops. The design has a specific emphasis on the outlook of the Mall to present it as a recreation centre.

The mall is a high–end shopping destination with some leading international and regional brand names.

Corniche Commercial Centre (R6), an ‘oldie but a ‘goodie’, has maintained its popularity since opening in 1984. Good for all sorts of things including leather goods, concessions that print photographs on mugs and T-shirts and the not-so-secret fifth floor where many of the offices have been turned into wholesalers showrooms where some real bargains can be had!

Danyah Centre (I5) is on the south side of Hera’a Street, west of Madinah Road, diagonally opposite Hera’a Mall. It is a strip mall with an Early Learning Centre, Body Shop, Toyland, Patchi (good for present ideas), a mediumsized Gazzaz for cosmetics, perfumes and gifts, a branch of Saudi-Hollandi Bank with an ATM and a great little shop for interesting presents for children, Asim Gifts. There is also a Domino’s Pizza and House of

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Donuts and an interesting looking yet unexplored coffee shop with a Titanic theme called ‘Heart of the Ocean’.

Elysee Printemps Centre (O5) Opened in 2003, the newly refurbished Centre (used to be known as the Middle East Centre) is at the junction of Palestine Street and Prince Fahd (also known as Sitteen) St, next to the Marriott Hotel. It is famous for Printemps Department Store –now “reborn” as an exquisitely elegant Fashion House on 3 floors named Champs Elysee (on the ground floor), Opera (on the first floor), and Concorde (on the second floor).

The beautifully redesigned basement now called Court Rivoli, an open design food court with elegant, modern simplicity, inviting visitors to feast with House of Donuts, Baskin Robins, Durrat China, Moroccan Corner, Elysee Buffet, Crep Or, Jofferys, Press Corner and Cone Zone, not forget222 ting to mention Starbucks with its uniquely excellent service and opening hours welcoming the visitor on the ground floor inside the main entrance.

The Centre also offers an interesting variety of quality shops that truly worth a visit.

Gazzaz Centre located on the south side of Corniche Road, Gazzaz Centre is 60% occupied.

Still it is a busy destination for shoppers day and night.

Al Haddab Thalia Centre (M5) Located at the intersection of Madinah Road and Tahliya Street. It has been built on 50,000 m2 land with 24,000 m2 built area using a

re- cast system. (interesting trivia). There is a total of 20-50 shops, also will include in stages a hypermarket a large recreational area and restaurants.

Al-Hefni Centre (M5) Palestine Street, just east of Madinah Road is quite small but has a few points of interest - it has three or four shops selling evening wear, ranging from the outrageous to the more conventional, and complementary jewellery and hair accessory boutiques.

On the first floor there is a shop with intriguing wrought-iron furniture; a branch of Bakhashwain for luxury accessories and gadgets for the home and also Pier Import. It also has the only known shop in Jeddah selling Clarks shoes for children, although a rather limited selection.

He’ra Avenue is located just west of the intersection of Prince Sultan and Hera Streets. The mall has 32 fully occupied shops and a small recreational and restaurants are on the second floor.

He’ra Plaza is located on Hera Street, and it comprises 16 commercial shops, all of which are occupied due to the excellent busy location.

Hera’a International Souq (I5) (www.heraamall.com) at the junction of Hera’a Street and Madinah Road has 240 shops including international brands such as BHS, Benetton, Betty Barclay, Diesel, Esprit, Guess, In Wear,

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Laura Ashley, Mexx, Mothercare, Osh Kosh, Quiksilver and more.

is fully occupied and also has a few restaurants.

Saudi Arabian Airlines have an office here and Caravan Travel can arrange package and tailored holidays. There is a gold souq with a dozen shops in the centre of the mall, a florist, newsagents, Body Shop and Early Learning Centre concession. There is the ubiquitous McDonalds in a stand-alone unit outside.

There are three coffee shops within which to refresh yourself - two near Gate 10 - Le Café du Jardin and the intriguing Café du Lord, created in the style of a richly decorated Bedu tent. Café Spielberg, in the new wing by Gate 1, is open but intimate in its size and opaque glass surround.

Al Hijaz Plaza (K4) is on the eastbound carriageway of Sitteen Street, north of Sari Street. Light and airy with a spacious concourse, the sound of falling water from the elegant fountains and the birdsong from the large ornamental aviaries combine to create a most agreeable atmosphere for shopping.

Al Hijaz specialises in Middle Eastern and international fashion. It also offers a dedicated fabric souq and 16 shop gold souq, as well as footwear, cosmetics and perfumes.

The Hijaz Supermarket stocks an extensive range of goods, and for the children, the shopping centre has playing areas and snack bars.

Barnies and Baskin & Robbins offer refreshment for those on the go. Other outlets in the mall offer antiques, cameras, books, carpets, computer equipment, a dry cleaners, electrical items, gift shops, luggage, a Megastar for music and films, opticians, perfume and cosmetics shops, a pharmacy, haberdashery and sports shops.

International Market (M5) near the junction of Madinah Road and Tahlia Street, behind Le Meridien Hotel. One of the earliest covered malls in Jeddah, it has undergone a refurbishment 223 and is now looking very good for its years.

And if this wasn’t enough, there is a huge play area for children in the centre of the mall with a bouncy castle and gentler rides for small children. Around the edge, fruit juice stands will battle with your conscience over the doughnut stalls. When they are bored with playing, ferry the children around in Boobaloo cars, available for hire to, next to the Sony shop.

Al Hijaz Market Located in the Al Bawady District between Sary Street and Hira’a Street, this single story mall has 300 shops. Al Hijaz Market

Very popular with Filipinos. Somewhat under-rated it has a little of everything here - a good Sarawat supermarket, a large selection of jewellers and shops selling electronics of all kinds, antiques, fabrics, a well stocked musical instrument shop, Mothercare, Body Shop, Premaman, Patchi, Megastar etc. A juice bar offering Mövenpick ice cream, and there are several Filipino take outs.

Jamjoom Center (O7) at the Corniche end of Palestine Street is a Jeddah landmark for its interesting architecture. Looking like something out of Star Wars, the size of the Jamjoom is difficult to appreciate until up close. Three separate

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buildings of offices unite on a pedestal that contains the shopping centre; it has been described as the largest commercial centre in the world.

It has the usual range of shops including Rubaiyat, BHS, Mothercare, Next, Gazzaz, a Tihama bookshop and the wonderful Sma’a - that is always worth a ‘looksee’ as they sometimes have bits and pieces from The Gap and Marks and Spencer and other brands not generally available in Jeddah. It is also the place to come if you want luggage, electronics, kitchen gadgets. There are two musical instrument shops - one sells mainly pianos (uprights and baby grands) and the other electronic keyboards. Fast food outlets include Pizza Sheikh, Wimpy, Starbucks and shwarmas.

Jeddah Mall (M6) Located on Tahliya Street. Cafes and restaurants occupy a large portion of the 224 space on the ground floor. Subway, House of Donuts, Baskins Robins are some of the well known food outlets. With a total of 79 shops, Jeddah Mall is considerably smaller than most of other malls on Tahliya Street.

Al Khayyat Centre (M6) is located on Thalia Street next to the Jeddah Mall. Al Khayyat is known for hosting the world’s more famous fashionable brand names such as Armani, Gucci, Channel, and Louis Vuitton. The centre has an occupancy rate of 100%.

Al Khayyat Centre II Due to the success of the first Al Khayyat centre, the management established this one at the back of the first centre. This centre also includes a

hair and beauty centre and a luxury coffee shop (villa d’Este Café).

La Place (O6) at the junction of Madinah Road and Palestine Street, a strip of shops on the ground floor of the Al Nakheel Centre including Stefanel, Max Mara, Benetton and U2.

Le Mall (M6) This moderate sized commercial centre is built to combine the French Architectural Heritage with very modern lifestyle and is in one of the prestigious shopping hubs of Jeddah, Tahlia Street. The building claims a focal point with its extremely elegantly designed main entrance slightly sat back to give space for car parking amongst mature palm trees and green landscaping in the heart of the city.

Shopping is easy and “un-rushed” here while tempted by irresistible indulgence to sample the fresh wholemeal croissant with home made soups and with real cappuccinos or freshly squeezed orange juice.

Starting with the 2 opposite ends of the building there is the Starbucks and Next as an architectural balance at each end of the main design to create harmony with their elegant shop front. Inside the mall brings a further collection of prestigious brand names in retail industry carrying a wide range of lines in men’s, ladies & children’s wear, Jewellery, skin care, food and patisseries, coffee shops such as – Symphonia, Le Croissant Shop, then Springfield, Zimas, Monsoon, Body Shop, H2O, Corloff, Claire’s, Vision Centre, Marstaller, Colony, La Tienne, Dune, Nine West, Mohammed Rizg, Anemon Décor, Akeekh, Retam, B-

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Bushh, Adams, Bandolera, Lasera, Delphine Nardine, Swatch, Sand and a newly opened bed linen shop SASK.

located opposite the Queen’s Building, the Faisalia Centre and the Corniche Commercial Centre.

Al Mahmal Centre (R6) in the heart of Balad, is also known in English as the Camel Souq which refers to the decorative glass features at the entrances.

The seven storey mall has an atrium running up through the centre of the building to a magnificent arched glass roof with octagonal dome.

The glass elevators are fascinating for children and the escalators at the other end are arranged in an original manner, encircling the fountain on the ground floor! The centre does not seem to specialise in any one thing - international brands of clothing for men women and children, luggage, cosmetics, footwear, antiques, jewellery, watches, household items, bed linen, fabrics, pharmacies - there is a good selection of everything.

Mall of Arabia (H4) located off the north end of Madinah Road just before the interchange to the Saudia terminal. It boasts a huge covered car park accommodating up to 3,000 cars, which is connected to the mall. It is considered now to be the largest mall in Jeddah, with 330 shops of top international brands for designer clothing and cosmetics including a huge Debenhams making it the ideal destination for all who seek the latest in the world of fashion.

On the third floor there is a food court offering Lebanese, Moroccan, Oriental and TexMex foods and a coffee shop and juice bar for those who only need light refreshment.

The views from the food court over Balad are good but do not compare with those to be had from the comfort of the ‘massage chairs’ on the 7th floor!

For SR5 sit in what appears to be an oldstyle first class aircraft seat and wait while some mechanism judders into action for a therapeutic massage. Either that or just stand at the immense arched windows and look out over the NCB, Balad and lagoon - at night it is one of the best views in Jeddah.

There is a large multi-storey car park attached to the Mahmal Centre, which is

Mall of Arabia also offers several fast food outlets and quality family restaurants in a big food court, as well as having a Geant hypermarket (to soon become an Aziza Panda) This a great place to get some exercise in fashionable air conditioned surroundings - check out the enormous 225 wooden washroom doors and the nice flower pots.

Mosadia Plaza (06) on Madinah Road near Palestine Street has recently been given a complete facelift and now looks much more welcoming with its cream stone façade replacing the utilitarian grey concrete of the 1970s.

The plaza is an open air mall, with the shops set in three ‘horseshoes’. No one store dominates the centre, nor one theme - there are travel agencies, computer hardware and software shops, sweet and savoury eateries, a Balubaid car showroom, carpet and antique shops, bookshop, pharmacy, local and international branded

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clothing boutiques for all ages, accessories etc.

There is a very good Megastar for music, branches of Fun Time Pizza and GR Bowling and two banks with cashpoints.

N2 (M5) on Rawdah st east of Madinah Road by the bicycle roundabout. A new medium size mall with various clothes and accessories shops, including Marina, Goirdano, Body Shop, Nectar and a Panda supermarket at the end by the covered parking.

Queens Building (R6) in Balad opposite Al Mahmal Centre. The ground floor has many shops with different brands of cameras and electronics – a mini camera souq. There is also a good tiny camera repair shop in the small alley behind the building by the Kodak shop – he tends to sleep in the morning so prob226 ably get there after 11.00 am.

Roshan Mall (E6) north end of Malek Road by the Globe roundabout. Another big destination mall owned by the Savola Group, which has underground parking with escalators up to the shops. It is anchored by their Aziza Panda hypermarket and their cloth shops, as well as other fashion and accessories shops, Toys R Us, Magrabi Optical, the well stocked Sun and Sand Sports, Swatch, ELC, and for eating there is Fuddruckers, Chilis and several different coffee shops.

Roshana International Centre (M7) South West corner Tahlia & Sultan streets. It has the big Virgin megastore downstairs and a different selection of luxury international shops such as Biggies Best for furnishings and linens, Sid Fashions, Yas perfumes, Tuc Tuc for children and various fashion and jewellery stores. The Crepe Cafe and Virgin cafe and Restaurants are on the ground floor.

Red Sea Mall (F7) on Malek Road, north of Hera St. This mall is considered to be one of the largest ones in Jeddah and offers both external and undercover parking areas all of which are linked to the 18 entrances.

Salama Center (K6) on Sultan Streeet just north of Andalus compound. A long building with various shops fronting on to Sultan Street including S- Maa, Red Tag, al Mutlaq Furniture, Magrabi Eye Center, Pierre Cardin bags, Go Sports with a big selection, and Deli France which is very popular with the Andalus Compound residents.

It has 450 shops with the International and Regional brands catering for the whole family, and more than 45 food and beverage outlets. There is a Bowling center in the basement, a large Danube Hypermarket on the ground floor and the "Oceanica" theme park on the first floor. This project also includes 2 towers; one as accommodation and the other is a hotel.

Sawary Mall (K7) Located close to King Abdulaziz Street (Malek Road). It includes a large Sawary hypermarket in addition to a number of shops outside and inside the mall such as GNC health shop, clothes, jewellery and internal decorations. It also has restaurants (eg. Cinnabon), juice bars, electronic goods stores, studios, cafes and flower shops.

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Serafi Mega Mall is located at the intersection of Tahliah and Sitteen Street. It has a single 4-level retail spine with anchor stores at both ends, which include Danube Hypermarket, IN10S0 which is the first of a kind of bachelor and families entertainment center in the Middle East, Moon Toon-one of the most preferable and suitable kids’entertainment indoor theme park in the region and an office building of 6 stories. The Emirates airline office is outside by the parking area.

Serafi Mega Mall is rated as the most preferable mall for the disabled due to the high quality services and facilities provided inside the mall.

Shaker Centre (M5) is on Prince Abdullah Street, west of the junction with Prince Fahd (Sitteen) Street - the Bicycle Roundabout. There is an excellent carpet shop, the Oriental Carpet Souq, selling all sizes, makes and designs. There is also a large supermarket, Al Fao, with a pet section should you feel the need to clutter your house with something small, furry and mobile.

Mothercare and the Early Learning Centre have branches here and, of course, McDonald’s is never far away, in the Al Najja International Souq next door.

Shoula (N5) fronts on to the northbound carriageway of Madinah Road, opposite Mosadia Plaza. The supermarket chain Bin Dawood has a large outlet here and there are numerous jewellers, shoe shops and plenty of clothing shops.

On the first floor there is a large bookshop, fabric shop and children’s amusement centre with at least two varieties of ‘dodgems’ and a

Wimpy snack bar.

Al Sulaimaniah (R2) is at the eastern end of Waly Al Ahd Street, close to the junction with the Makkah-Madinah Expressway - a spacious, mainly singlestorey mall. The well-stocked Al Nakheel Supermarket is at the opposite end of the mall. There is also a very good toyshop, specialising in Little Tikes toys, next to Smurfs, which sells Chicco nursery equipment. There are several fashion and accessory boutiques ranging from casual to formal.

Stars Avenue Mall (K7) corner of Malek Road and Sari Street. The latest big mall with 3 floors of well known luxury women’s clothes and accessories brands, a number of gold and jewellery stores to select the right necklace, earrings or watch go with those new clothes, and a big Saks fifth Avenue at the northern end.

There are also a number of eating places 227 such as cafe Lina of Paris, Joes Diner, Goodies, the Cafe Ceramique which has lots of different ceramique objects for sale as well as food and coffee, and the Steak House just 20 metres across the road.

The “dancing” fountain is on the ground floor at the big glass corner by the eating places.

We have not yet seen it work as just seems to come on with no regularity, but friends say it is pretty spectacular.

The Carrefour hypermarket is on the first floor on the Sari street side with escalators down to the inside or outside parking.

Sultan Mall (J6) Located on the intersection of Prince Sultan

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and Batterjee streets. This mall has Extra as the main tenant -2 floors catering to electronics and household appliances. There are a number of restaurants and cafes as well in the food court. The mall also houses shops with some of the famous foreign brand names. It also has a funfair within.

Al Thalia Commercial Centre This up-scale mall is a two storey building housing several designer shops. There are also some food outlets in the mall. The centre is one of the largest on the fashionable Thalia Street. Examples of current shops in the centre include Paris gallery, White & Trendy, Milano, and Toy Town.

Just to the south is Essam Nass with ID Design, (the Danish cousin of IKEA), a small branch of Al-Sawani and lots of Middle East fashion.

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Aside from the shopping centres, there are some streets that are more or less open air shopping malls. The section of Sari Street (K5-6, L5-6) between Madinah Road and Prince Sultan Street has two supermarkets - Al Raya at the junction of Madinah Road and Sawary Superstores at the other end.

As with most supermarkets in Jeddah these are both open 24 hours. As well as a comprehensive range of lines, Sawary has a photo-developing lab, CD and video outlets, florist, shoe repairers and donut shop on the ground floor as well as a good toy shop, coffee shop and clothes for adults and children on the second floor.

Other shops to be found on Sari Street include branches of the pharmacy Al Nahdi and the opticians, Al Magrabi, two Saudi

Arabian Airlines Travel offices, a gourmet chocolate shop, Oasis Rugs, Saudi Fisheries and lots of coffee shops, Wheels for bicycles of all sizes and, near the junction of Madinah Road, Roses Palace for very lifelike artificial flowers. East of Madinah Road, Sari Street seems to consist mostly of shoe shops!

Tahlia Street (L5-7, M5-7) between Prince Sultan and Madinah Road, has the most expensive retail space per square foot in Jeddah and as such, the prime shops are found here.

At the junction of Tahlia with Prince Sultan Street is the new Roshana International Center with the Virgin Mega music store.

Travelling east up Tahlia is Jeddah Mall, which houses various designers such as Joseph; next door is the Al Khayyat Centre which is home to Christian Dior, Gianni Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferragamo, DKNY (complete with designer coffee shop), Louis Vuitton, Armani and other high fashion outlets.

Rubaiyat have a semi-permanent sale room on the first floor of the Tower at the west end of the Centre - it’s not always open so you have to chance your luck.

La Promenade has a Benetton, Sisley and a shop for horse riders, The Saddle. McDonald’s, KFC, Blimpies, Domino’s Pizza and Hardees are grouped together, the first two having good children’s play areas.

The Galleria is a small centre with some useful shops in it. Reportedly the best

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dates in Jeddah are to be found at Bateel on the ground floor.

There is a large branch of Faces, the cosmetics shop, a Swatch outlet and Motherhood specialises in stylish maternity clothes from America. The Shangri-La Chinese Restaurant here is a good eaterie - see the Eating Out Guide for more information.

The opposite carriageway is densely populated with very few patches of undeveloped land. There are clothes shops - Alesayi, Pro Mod, Miss Selfridge, Zara, Oilily, Mango, Gerry Weber, Mexx.

The BHS Centre which includes Liz Claiborne, Evans and Mothercare as well as BHS’ own ranges of clothes and home furnishings. The Jewellery Centre houses a large collection of individual shops, including a branch of Tiffany and Cartier.

Jeddah’s only branch of Polo Ralph Lauren is on the corner opposite the Bassateen Centre. Food outlets include Barnies, the Cheesecake Factory, the largest Pizza Hut in Saudi Arabia (which has a very good children’s play area), Popeyes, La Pacha and Ponderosa.

Other independent specialist shops include GNC for vitamins and health foods, Royal Doulton and the stylish delicatessen, Le Gourmet.

The Coral Mall is just off Tahlia -a high–end shopping destination with some leading international and regional brand names and a Goodies Lebanese deli/restaurant, and Oasis

Tahlia opposite with Pizza Amore and a Senses restaurant. Fuddruckers original branch which has been renovated is here, just before the Bugshan centre and all the dive shops. Most of the old buildings in this area are being knocked down and replaced with malls or elegant shops.

Toula Plaza just before Madinah Road is the new location for Lallo restaurant, for good Italian food and pizza.

At the junction of Tahlia Street and Prince Sultan is the big garden and gift centre, Fayfa.

It sells fresh and artificial flowers, garden furniture and some extraordinary pieces for the home including huge sarcophagi and indoor fountains! In the garden at the rear there is a pet shop with a menagerie of creatures ranging 229 from cute kittens to not so cute tarantulas. Noura Pharmacy next door is open 24 hours a day.

Stand a lone shops. And finally, here are a few of the many ‘stand alone’ shops that are worthy of a mention, again, in alphabetical order: Fitaihi (P6) on Madinah Road south of Palestine Street is a petite version of Harrods. All doors are manned by white-uniformed staff, as are the lifts, which also have carpets that remind you what day of the week it is. There are five floors selling the usual and the unusual in clothes, accessories and household goods.

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There is an extensive china, glass and silver department. If you need a grandfather clock or wish to spend SR15,000 on a suitcase this is the place to come.

There are also some rather nice up-market jewellers such as Cartier in the vicinity, as well as in the Ali Reza Tower, just south of Fitaihi.

Gazzaz sells international names in cosmetics and perfumes as well as exclusive gifts of silver and glassware, ties and leather goods. There are numerous locations of varying sizes throughout Jeddah including their latest in the Maison Gazzaz on the Corniche.

Home Plaza (K4) has a range of, home furnishings, housewares and practical and decorative accessories.

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In an adjacent building but on the same site is Babyworld which offers, as you would imagine, every accessory required for babies and children - it also sells adult clothes, shoes, handbags, cosmetics and toys.

Ikea (N4) corner Tahlia and Sitten street with big parking undercover. Well known Swedish furniture store selling a huge variety of home furnishings. Also has a good cafe/ restaurant selling very affordable meals.

Jarir (K6 and O4) is a stationers, book, toy, craft and computer hardware and supplies store that could keep you occupied for hours. Five locations - Sari Street (K6) near Sawary

Superstore and eastbound on Palestine Street (O4), just past the Marriott Hotel are two of the oldest.

Partyland (M6) westbound on Tahlia Street next to Pizza Hut is great for all the bits and pieces you need for parties - children’s and grownups!

Patisserie Français (06) on Shobokshi Street behind the Sofitel on Palestine Street complements Partyland by producing the most incredible cakes, to the design of your choice.

Rosewood House (I5) off Hera, 100 meters west of Hera Avenue shops, turn right at Nahdi pharmacy.

They have a good selection of imported rosewood furniture.

Saco Hardware (P7 and M3) (http://www.saco-ksa.com) is very well stocked for all your home improvement needs as well as kitchenware, garden furniture and equipment and children’s toys.

There are two branches, one on Al Andalus Street, near what’s left of the Ship roundabout (P7) and the other at the junction of Tahlia Street and Prince Majed Street (M3).

And I wouldn’t want to spoil your fun in finding your own favourites! Should you, in your travels find anything that you think must be in the next edition of Jeddah TODAY and has not been covered, please tel: 02 631 8541.

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