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Whether you need to know local public holidays or highlights through the seasons, we hope you will find the facts gathered below useful tools for your travel planning. Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you further.

General information

In the heart of Saudi Arabia, its capital, Riyadh, sits high on a plateau. At the dawn of the 20th century, it was a small nomadic settlement surrounding the Al Masmak Fortress. Under the guidance of King Abdul Aziz, followed by the growing importance of oil, Riyadh has metamorphosed into a modern, thriving city. Home to five million people, it is now a high-tech centre of commerce, industry and diplomatic missions, with flyovers, tree-lined boulevards and sleek modern architecture.

Nearby attractions to the Hotel include colourful souks that sell antiques, handicrafts and gold, the mud-brick Al Masmak Fortress and the National Museum. Dir’aiyah, the kingdom’s first capital – just one hour away – is now Saudi Arabia’s most popular archaeological site, complete with reconstructed palaces and mosques.

Time zone

GMT +3 hours

Language(s) spoken

Arabic; some English

Electrical system

Local voltage is 220 to 240 volts AC. Adapters available; please request through the Concierge.

Shopping hours

Saturday to Thursday 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, with closing periods for prayer times throughout the day.

Working hours

Saturday to Thursday 9:00 am to 7:30 pm. Some offices close early on Thursdays. Some offices and banks are closed in the afternoon between 12:00 noon and 3:30 pm. Government offices are open Saturday to Thursday 8:30 am to 2:30 pm; some close early on Thursday.

Time and distance to city centre

20 minutes/20 kilometres/12 miles

Time and distance to shopping

• Al Mamlaka (Kingdom Centre) Shopping Mall: connected to Hotel lobby/1 minute
• Antique Souk (near the clock tower): 20 minutes/16 kilometres/10 miles

Time and distance to financial district

10 minutes/10 kilometres/6 miles

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Seasonal highlights

Al Janadriya Festival: A 10-day heritage and cultural festival that takes place every winter (dates vary) in the desert outside of Riyadh. Activities include traditional Najdi sword dances and poetry readings, the sale of local handicrafts and the world's largest camel races, with over 2,500 camels from throughout the Middle East.

Ramadan: It is during this month (dates vary) that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan, which starts on the first sighting of the new moon. Lasting for the entire month, Muslims fast during the daylight hours, and eat small meals and visit with friends and family in the evening. It is a time of worship and contemplation; a time to strengthen ties with family and community.