How to Find Luxury Hotels in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Riyadh is Saudi Arabia's capital and largest city. Despite the exotic location in the central section of the country, luxury accommodations are readily available in Riyadh. Follow these steps to start planning your trip.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet connection
• Passport

Book Luxury Hotel Accommodations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

1. Book your accommodations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by calling "Saudia Online" in Saudi Arabia at 011 +(966) 2 669 3585, or by visiting the Web site (see Resources below).

2. Book accommodations at the Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers by calling 011 ([phone] or by visiting their Web site (see Resources below).

3. Splurge on one of Riyadh's five-star hotels. These premium luxury hotels cater to business men and meetings for the most part.

4. Rent a furnished apartment for short or medium-length stays in Riyadh. Many feature room service and suites.

5. Reserve a four-star hotel room. There are nearly 20 in Riyadh, many of which offer expansive rooms, lunch and dinner service and health clubs.

Make Your Way to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

6. Apply for a visa well in advance of your trip. Foreign travel is closely monitored.

7. Purchase a guided tour package. Often, this is the only way for your tourist visa to be approved. You will be required to obtain an exit visa to leave.

8. Pack carefully as all luggage will be checked. Don't bring in any items that may be offensive to Muslims. Alcohol, pornography and pork are among the banned items.

9. Book a ticket on one of the few international airlines that offer flights to Riyadh.

Acquaint Yourself with the Area Around Your Accommodations

10. Prepare for heat! Saudi Arabia is an arid nation. During summer, temperatures in Riyadh regularly climb above 100 F.

11. Plan a visit to Al Musmak castle.

12. Visit museums such as the National Museum, the King Abdulaziz Military Museum and the Museum of Antiquities and Folklore.

Understand the Laws of Saudi Arabia

13. Pay for whatever you need. The punishment for robbery is amputation of the hands. Public amputations are conducted.

14. Stay sober. Being high or drunk is considered deviant and is punishable by public flogging. Serious infractions can lead to death.

15. Dress modestly. Women must be covered at all times and wear an "abaya" (traditional Muslim garb)--even visiting women.

Tips & Warnings

• International phone numbers here include the U.S. international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00."
• All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Don't book accommodations in Riyadh if you're not willing to strictly obey Islamic law.
• It is very important to remember to respect the Saudi Arabian culture when planning a trip to Riyadh. The country is staunchly Muslim. Alcohol and homosexuality are illegal. Women must be covered completely. Penalties for breaking these laws are quite severe.