BY NOORA AL SAAD
Breathtaking views, five-star cuisine, rejuvenation and pool-time fun sum up our staycation at Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya.
We are all wishing to leave everything behind these days and jet off to a remote island somewhere. While that is not quite possible yet, we can still enjoy a change of scenery and a mental escape. With the current travel restrictions, domestic leisure is gaining popularity, especially here in Saudi Arabia. Enter the staycation.
There are plenty of luxury hotels in Riyadh to enjoy solo or as a couple. Planning a family staycation can be more challenging. My husband and I have two younger children and there are a few things we look for in hotel accommodation: cleanliness, a pool for the kids, good food, and attentive service. We have stayed at several hotels in the area, and have had our eyes on Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya for a while now. The hotel has excellent reviews and the prices are reasonable compared to other five-star properties in the city. We decided to book a suite to celebrate my son’s birthday and it was a great decision.
Riyadh is the epitome of luxury, and Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya is no exception. We felt special from the moment we arrived. After being greeted with heartwarming ghawa and dates on a particularly cold and windy afternoon, we proceeded to check in. The process was a breeze and the friendly staff informed us of their GBAC accredited and certified sanitization and hygiene services, card-less mobile key entry for all rooms and suites, hotel amenities and outlet timings. We were surprised that the complimentary breakfast was offered until 11:00 AM. Even though Riyadh time runs later than other cities in the world, it still seems most breakfast buffets end earlier. We were pleased to be able to take our time in the morning and still enjoy the hotel breakfast. Earlier in the day we were also surprised to learn that check-in was as early as 2:00 PM.
After check-in we proceeded to our room. We booked an executive suite; a 100 sq m (1,076 sq ft) suite with a king bedroom, workspace, and separate dining and living areas. It was spacious enough for the four of us to be comfortable. All rooms were securely closed with a Seal of Cleanliness that reassured us that no one entered our room after its last clean-up and sanitization; we had to break the seal in order to step in. As we entered our suite, we were taken by the spectacular panoramic views. Throughout our stay we enjoyed watching city life unfold below us as we relaxed in the comfort of our room. The bathroom was also impressive with a double vanity, freestanding bathtub and separate shower area.
We usually add lounge access to the room during our staycations. It is a nice diversion from the room, and the kids can enjoy drinks and snacks throughout the day. My husband and I enjoy a solo escape for a cup of coffee or a phone call. Luckily, lounge privileges were already included with the executive suite. Located on the 26th floor is Riyadh’s most elevated lounge, Regency Club. All rooms with Club access enjoy separate private access to the Club Lounge. It offers an exclusive space for guests to work or relax, and includes all-day refreshments, beverages, evening snacks and canapés, all with panoramic views of Riyadh city. During our stay, we were surprised to see a complete dinner menu set-up being served at the lounge, including a special display for kids meals. The taste and quality of the food were excellent.
The hotel also offers a safe haven for rejuvenation and relaxation for all. Their award-winning ‘Best Luxury Business Hotel Spa’, Sokoun Spa and Fitness Center, features services and equipment for health and recreation, along with a 24-hour fitness center for men and women. During the day, the kids enjoyed swimming in the indoor pool. We were pleased that the hotel limited the number of guests in the pool area. Only four guests were allowed at a time, so we pre-booked our swim times and the kids had a ball. There is also a cutting edge men’s spa that provides massage therapies and signature therapeutic body treatments such as Lomi Lomi, an ancient Hawaiian massage. We were told that a spa for women is in the works and will be opening some time around mid-2021. I am looking forward to that!
An extensive breakfast buffet was served at 56th Avenue Diner, Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya’s award-winning grill restaurant. All our breakfast favorites were served including waffles, omelets and fresh fruit. Most importantly, the coffee is really good! For lunch and dinner, guests can experience different gustatory journeys across the fifty vibrant American states every day at this all-American diner.
After our stay at Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya, we understood why the hotel has such high ratings. From the excellent service and the cleanliness of the entire hotel to the 5-star cuisine, our entire experience was top-notch. We are recommending the hotel to our friends and family, and highly recommend it to you, too.
Don’t Miss:
▪ Dining under the stars on the weekend during their exclusive Seafood Nights (every Thursday) and Live-Grill Nights (every Friday).
▪ Make your coffee the way you like it at the Starbucks.
▪ Satisfy your hunger with quick bites or indulge in decadent desserts at their cozy Tea Lounge.
Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya
PO Box 10341, Riyadh 11433
Tel: 011 288 1234
Email: riyadh.regency@hyatt.com
