Riyadh's Oasis: Unbelievable Luxury Awaits at InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh
Riyadh's Oasis: InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh – More Than Just Luxury, It's a Whole Vibe (and a Few Headaches)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to drop you right into the middle of the Saudi Arabian desert, specifically, the ridiculously opulent InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh. This place ain't just a hotel, it’s a statement. A statement that screams, "I have more money than sense… and I want a body wrap." (More on that later).
Before we dive in, though, let's be real. This review? It's gonna be messy. I'm talking "I forgot to make a list and I'm writing this while juggling a date in the desert" messy. But hey, that's life, right? And trust me, this place is life, lived large.
Accessibility: Smooth Sailing (Mostly!)
Okay, let's start with the basics: is it accessible? Mostly, yes! Phew. Elevators are plentiful (essential, considering the sheer sprawling size of the place!), and there are facilities for disabled guests that seem well-thought-out. I didn't personally need them, but I saw several folks navigating the grounds with ease. Big thumbs up on that.
But… and there's ALWAYS a but… I did notice some of the walkways around the pool area could be a bit tricky, especially early in the morning and late in the evening when the glare from the sun made you feel like you were in a laser tag game. Not a huge deal, but something to be aware of.
Amenities – The Good, the Great, and the “Wait, Is That a Gold-Plated Bathtub?”
Let's get the essentials out of the way. Internet? Yeah, they got it. Free Wi-Fi in ALL rooms? You betcha! Praise be. I need my Instagram, people. And thank goodness for internet access [LAN] – sometimes, you just need a wired connection, am I right? Wi-Fi in public areas, too! Thank goodness for that, I was starting to get antsy.
Things to Do – Where to Even Begin? (Body Wraps, Here I Come!)
This place is a playground for the relaxation obsessed. Seriously, between the body scrubs, body wraps, sauna, steam room, foot bath, massage, spa, and the spa/sauna, you could spend a week here and still not experience it all. I went full-throttle. Full. Throttle.
The fitness center? Top-notch. The gym/fitness area? Huge. I maybe did a few squats because I felt like I should, but mostly I was focused on strategizing how to get in another hour at the spa.
Seriously, the spa deserves a whole section because… wow. It wasn't just a spa; it was a zen oasis. I had a massage that melted away a year's worth of stress. I’m not kidding. I basically had a physical embodiment of all my troubles vacuumed away to the far reaches of the solar system. The pool with a view? Spectacular. Especially after the massage. I think I might have seen a mirage of a waiter offering me a cocktail.
And the swimming pool? The swimming pool [outdoor]? Well, let's just say I spent a significant amount of time there. It was gorgeous, huge, and frankly, a necessary reprieve from the scorching Riyadh sun. It was great.
But (again, there's always a but!) the whole "relax and rejuvenate" vibe got slightly disrupted when I tried to book a second massage and discovered they were fully booked for the rest of my stay. Cue the internal screaming. Lesson learned: book your spa treatments IMMEDIATELY. Don't be a fool like me.
Cleanliness and Safety – Feeling Safe (and Sprayed!)
In these post-pandemic times, safety is paramount, and the InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh takes it seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer, hygiene certification, individually-wrapped food options. They even have professional-grade sanitizing services. It's comforting to know they're on top of their game.
They went hard on the sanitization, you guys. Rooms sanitized between stays, sterilized equipment. I think I maybe saw a hazmat suit in the hallway. I guess you can't be too careful. They even make sure you have a safe dining setup.
I liked that there was a doctor/nurse on call – just in case my inner hypochondriac decided to rear its head.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Buckle Up, Your Tastebuds are Going on an Adventure
Alright, food. This is where things get… complex. The restaurants are plentiful, offering everything from Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, international cuisine in restaurant, vegetarian restaurant, western breakfast, western cuisine in restaurant. The buffet in restaurant is epic, a glorious spread of everything you could possibly imagine. The breakfast [buffet] was so large that it felt like a small wedding. The a la carte in restaurant options were also great.
Room service [24-hour]? Yes, please! Especially after a long day of being pampered.
There's a coffee shop (essential), a snack bar (perfect for a quick bite), and even a poolside bar (hello, sundowners!).
But (you saw this coming, right?)
Here's the thing: the sheer amount of choice can be overwhelming, and the quality varied. Some dishes were divine, others… less so. The Happy hour felt a bit lacking, the drinks weren't up to the same standard as the rest of the place. And the service, bless their hearts, got a little patchy during peak times. A bit of a wait for coffee in the morning!
Services and Conveniences – All the Frills (and the Slightly Annoying Bits)
Concierge service? Top-notch. Daily housekeeping? Immaculate. Dry cleaning, ironing service, laundry service? Check, check, check. They've thought of everything.
Cash withdrawal? Yup. Currency exchange? They got that covered, too.
Air conditioning in public area? Of course! It's Riyadh, people!
But…
While the service was generally excellent, I did experience a few hiccups. Twice. I had to call down for extra towels (small thing, I know), and the delivery of my late-night snack was a little… delayed. Honestly, these were minor issues in the grand scheme of things, but they are a part of the real experience.
For the Kids – Family-Friendly, But Maybe Keep the Toddlers Close (They Got Lots of Shiny Things!)
They have babysitting service, kids facilities, and a kids meal option. The place seemed family-friendly, but with a massive, opulent hotel like this, it's probably best to keep a close eye on the little ones -- there are a lot of expensive vases and shiny surfaces just begging to be touched.
Getting Around – Airport Transfer, and Free Parking? Yes!
The airport transfer was smooth and efficient. Car park [free of charge], car park [on-site], valet parking. They make it easy to get around.
The Room – Where the Magic (and the Complaints) Happen
Okay, the rooms. This is where the InterContinental REALLY shines. Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
They've thought of everything. The beds are ridiculously comfortable. The views are stunning. The bathrobes are like being hugged by a cloud. The bathtub? Luxurious. The blackout curtains? Essential for surviving the desert heat. The toiletries were top-notch, and the complimentary tea was a nice touch.
But…
Even in paradise, there are a few thorns. The soundproofing could be better – I heard some late-night revelry from my neighbors. And despite the massive room, the storage space felt a little… lacking.
Final Thoughts – Worth the Splurge?
Okay, so the InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh is not perfect. There are a few minor hiccups, and the price tag is hefty, but in my opinion, it's an unforgettable experience. It's a place where you can truly unwind, indulge, and feel like royalty (even if you occasionally
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's "perfectly planned itinerary." We're talking InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh Resort & Spa, baby, and I'm warning you now, it's gonna be a ride. My ride, to be exact! Get ready for a healthy dose of chaos, questionable decisions, and the unvarnished truth about yours truly.
Day 1: Arrival and… Existential Dread (Kidding! Mostly.)
Morning (ish) - Jeddah to Riyadh: The Flight of Anxiety!
Okay, so flying is not my favorite thing. I'm the human equivalent of a nervous chihuahua on take-off; fidgety, loud-breathing, and praying to any deity listening. The flight from Jeddah was fine, I guess. I spilled coffee on my new travel magazine, a minor setback, but it set the tone. Arrival at Riyadh airport felt less like a grand entrance and more like stumbling into a heat haze.
- Anecdote: I swear, the air conditioning in the airport was set to "arctic blast." Freezing! I had to sprint outside, just to breathe, after.
- Observation: The customs and immigration lines were surprisingly efficient. I was fully expecting an hours' long ordeal, but wham, bam, I was through. Maybe my prayers worked
Afternoon - Check-In and Resort Assessment:
The Durrat Al Riyadh! The pictures online were gorgeous, but you never really know, do you? This place? Magnificent. Seriously, like, wow. Huge doors, sparkling fountains, all that jazz. I tripped on a slight step getting down, which immediately made me feel out of place, ha! Check-in was smooth, luckily, despite my clumsy arrival. I was shown to my "Garden Suite," and I kid you not, it's practically a whole house!
- Quirky Observation: The shower had three showerheads. Three! I'm not sure I even need three showerheads! This is luxury overload and I'm here for it! For now…
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated relief. After the flight, after the airport, after the… well, everything, I was finally someplace beautiful. I could actually breathe, and my back ached a bit haha.
Late Afternoon/Evening - Poolside Panic (and Pizza!):
So, the plan was relaxation. Deep breaths. Meditate by the pool. You know, the whole "zen traveler" thing. Nope. I spent a solid hour worrying about getting a sunburn. Then, I panicked over my swimsuit not being, uh, flattering enough. Then, I actually did get a mild sunburn. In the end, I hid under an umbrella and ordered pizza. Hey, at least I had a pizza.
- Messier Structure: I wandered around a bit, thinking about all the people who were also at the Durrat. Did they feel the same way I do about the pool? Did they think their swimsuits were the wrong color? Did they wish they had a pizza? Or were they all just effortlessly gorgeous and calm?
- Anecdote: The pizza was amazing. Seriously, the best pizza I've had in ages. I finished the whole thing, plus a whole second of regrets while watching the sunset.
- Emotional Reaction: Mostly a blend of embarrassment and contentment. I was tired, and I had a pizza, so whatever.
Day 2: Spa Shenanigans and Desert Delusions
Morning - Spa Day Surprise!
Okay, so this was the day they’d told you would be the best. I had decided to be on top of it, so I booked in advance. The spa! Sigh. I went in. I started a massage. They began to scrub my face. (At this point, I thought they wanted to take my face off altogether.) I started to sob. They had to stop! Apparently, what I had had booked was a body scrub and NOT a face scrub (completely my fault). In the end, I was okay.
- Quirky Observation: I was convinced, the whole time, that everyone was going to be judging my very bad state to start with.
- Emotional Reaction: A mix of humiliation and relief. I had survived! And my skin felt… okay.
Afternoon - Desert Drive Disaster (My Fault, Probably):
Off-roading! We're going to get ourselves into trouble. A guided desert tour… A glorious sunset. Oh, how naïve I was. The guide, a stoic man named Abdul, had this way of looking at you that said, "You're going to mess this up, aren't you?" And, well, he was right. I got stuck in the sand. Twice. I swear, the car was willing me to fail. Finally, after much digging and awkwardness, Abdul got us unstuck the second time, with a look of absolute disapproval.
- Messier Structure: The desert was beautiful, I will give it that. The vastness, the colors… stunning. But, honestly, all I could focus on was the sand getting into my shoes and the impending doom that I was certainly a failure when compared to the guide.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: Sheer, unadulterated mortification. I wanted to disappear into the sand dunes and never be seen again.
- Opinionated Language: I'm not blaming Abdul, but I will say he could have shown a little more enthusiasm.
Evening: Sunset Dinner and Humble Pie:
We'd booked a sunset dinner at the resort's restaurant. The service was lovely, the food (after the desert fiasco) was excellent. I spent a lot of time apologizing to Abdul for my off-roading skills. He didn't seem to hold it against me. Maybe I'd worn him down after all.
- Anecdote: The waiter kept refilling my water glass. I’m pretty sure he was a mind reader.
- Emotional Reaction: Surprisingly content. I had survived another day. I was starting to get used to the luxury. And, hey, I hadn't completely embarrassed myself (okay, maybe a little.)
Day 3: Goodbye, Riyadh (and a Promise to Try Harder!)
Morning: I woke up early, actually! I decided to take one last stroll around the resort. I drank the coffee. I looked at the fountains. I felt happy.
- Quirky Observation: I saw the same waiter from the night before. He smiled, winked, and refilled my coffee.
- Emotional Reaction: I was happy. I was leaving with an idea of the place, and also, a good story.
Late Morning and Departure:
The flight back was uneventful. I didn’t spill any coffee. I didn’t cry. I might have even smiled.
- Opinionated Language: The Durrat Al Riyadh was amazing, but what I loved the most, were the people.
- Final Thought: I would go back. I’d go back and try to be less of a walking disaster. Maybe. Probably not.
Disclaimer: This itinerary may or may not be accurate. It's more of a "how-not-to-travel" guide. But hey, at least it's honest! And, let's be honest, that's what makes it memorable.
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Riyadh's Oasis: InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh - Your Questions, Answered (Finally!)
Okay, spill. Is Durrat Al Riyadh *really* as fancy as it looks? Like, ridiculously fancy?
What about the rooms? Worth the price tag?
The pool! Is the pool area as Instagrammable as it seems?
Is the food any good? And is it all crazy expensive?
What's the service like? Are the staff nice?
Would you go back? Seriously, would you blow your budget for it again?
