The best accommodations Saudi Arabia

Budget & Tips

There are three main types of accommodation in Saudi Arabia: hotels, hotel residences and homestays.

Hotels: hotels always offer excellent services, often with very large rooms. They range from 3* to 5*. 3* hotels are often small establishments, with few rooms, and not necessarily any associated restaurant service. 4* hotels always have a restaurant and a gym. 5* hotels offer a wide range of services, including a swimming pool, often covered, with special opening hours for women. Rates range from SAR 320 to over SAR 800.

Hotel residences: aparthotels are a widespread concept in Saudi Arabia. Rates are lower than in hotels, as services are less extensive. You'll often rent an apartment with a kitchenette and sometimes a living room separate from the bedroom. Comforts range from small residences, sometimes with limited cleanliness, to fully equipped residences with hotel-style services. Some residences have a restaurant, but this is rare. Rates range from 160 SAR to 450 SAR, depending on comfort and city.

Homestay. In AlUla and elsewhere, due to a limited supply of traditional accommodation and high demand, homestay accommodation has developed a great deal through various apps, including Airbnb. Residents have had large houses built, with a section reserved for welcoming travelers. So, strictly speaking, you won't be staying with the family. Rooms are often large, when you won't have an entire apartment to yourself. They are concentrated in the new town of Al Aziziyah, 15 km south of AlUla. A car is essential. Breakfast is never included or served, but you do have access to a kitchen. Rates range from 400 SAR to 600 SAR, depending on the season.

To be booked

It is essential to book your accommodation as early as possible if you are visiting AlUla during the festival season, Jeddah at the time of the F1 Grand Prix (March) or Taif during the rose-picking season (March-April). Elsewhere, with tourism still limited, tensions are low.

What's very local

In some low-end aparthotels, towels are not always included.

Saudis like their comfort and the rooms are often large, with a separate living room and several bedrooms, so that the whole family can stay.

All accommodation options are listed on the Booking.com website, the essential companion for your overnight reservations in the country.

For food lovers

Hotels almost always offer continental breakfasts, served as a buffet. So you don't have to follow the traditional salty breakfast of falafel, hummus, foul madames (mashed beans) or mutton liver. But nothing prevents you from tasting all these delicacies in the company of Saudis in a small specialized restaurant.

Smokers

Smoking is not permitted in enclosed public spaces in Saudi Arabia. Some hotels still offer smoking rooms, but this is becoming less common. Please ask at the reception desk.

Tourist traps

Saudi Arabia is a very safe country and tourism is still in its infancy. Therefore, there are no particular scams concerning accommodation in the country.