Riyadh's BEST Kept Secret: Suite Inn Hotel Luxury Awaits!
Riyadh's BEST Kept Secret: Suite Inn Hotel Luxury Awaits! - My Brutally Honest (and Spoiled!) Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on Riyadh's "BEST Kept Secret": Suite Inn Hotel. And let me tell you, keeping secrets is so last season. I’m here to tell you EVERYTHING, the good, the REALLY good, and the "hmm, could be better" (because, let's be real, no place is PERFECT). Prepare for a rollercoaster of opinions, because, well, I overthink everything.
First Impressions & Accessibility: The Good, the Okay, and the "Where's the Elevator?!"
Okay, let's get one thing straight: I am not secretly a secret agent who can't stand stairs. So thank god for the elevator. This is crucial, considering my luggage needs to be as well-fed as I am. On the other hand, I wish the hotel had more obvious accessibility signage. It's Riyadh, it's 2024!
Accessibility:
- Wheelchair accessible: The hotel is wheelchair-accessible, which is fantastic. However, I didn't see a ton of explicit accessibility features. (Could be improved.)
Internet: Wi-Fi Warriors, Assemble!
Okay, crucial point: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise the internet gods! I'm talking, like, consistently good Wi-Fi. No more buffering cat videos while I'm trying to "work." (Ahem… by work, I mean binge-watch everything on Netflix.) I also noticed Wi-Fi in public areas for those of you who like to work from cafes. Internet [LAN] access is also available, which is great for the tech-savvy types.
Internet Access:
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (Bless!)
- Internet access – wireless
- Internet access – LAN
- Internet services
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams & Fitness Freakouts
Right, so the main reason I always choose a hotel is to relax and pretend I'm someone else. This place has a ton of options. Let's just dive in…
- Pool with a view: I wasn't thrilled. Nothing compared to the rooftop infinity pool in Dubai.
- Sauna, Steamroom, Spa: All very clean. I went to the Spa, had a lovely Body wrap. I may have fallen asleep during it. Don't tell anyone.
Ways to relax:
- Body scrub
- Body wrap
- Pool with view
- Sauna
- Spa
- Spa/sauna
- Steamroom
- Swimming pool
- Swimming pool [outdoor]
Fitness Center: The Reality Check The Fitness center was…adequate? I mean, there were treadmills, and a few weights. It's not the most inspiring gym I've seen, but hey, it'll get you moving. Fitness center:
- Fitness center
- Gym/fitness
Cleanliness and Safety: Germaphobe Approved (Mostly!)
Okay, I'm a bit of a clean freak. I need to be in a hotel that takes safety SERIOUSLY. Suite Inn mostly delivered.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: YES! Bless them.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Excellent.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Love it.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Double-thumbs up.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Good to hear!
Cleanliness and safety:
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Hand sanitizer
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Staff trained in safety protocol
- Sterilizing equipment
- Hygiene certification
- Hot water linen and laundry washing
- Professional-grade sanitizing services
- Room sanitization opt-out available
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: My Stomach's Verdict I am a person who is very big on food. I’m talking a whole-hearted, full-bellied commitment. Here's the breakdown from my perspective:
- Restaurants: The hotel has multiple restaurants, and the Asian restaurant was definitely the highlight. Delicious.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Buffet style. Not the most spectacular buffet I've ever seen, but it had everything you'd expect.
- Room service [24-hour]: Crucial. Because sometimes you just want to order a pizza at 3 AM.
- Coffee Shop: Perfect for those afternoon pick-me-ups.
- Poolside Bar: For those perfect Saudi summer evenings.
Dining, drinking, and snacking:
- A la carte in restaurant
- Asian breakfast
- Asian cuisine in restaurant
- Bar
- Bottle of water
- Breakfast [buffet]
- Breakfast service
- Buffet in restaurant
- Coffee/tea in restaurant
- Coffee shop
- Desserts in restaurant
- Happy hour
- International cuisine in restaurant
- Poolside bar
- Restaurants
- Room service [24-hour]
- Salad in restaurant
- Snack bar
- Soup in restaurant
- Vegetarian restaurant
- Western breakfast
- Western cuisine in restaurant
Services and Conveniences: The Perks (and a Few Misses)
So many services… where do I begin?
- Cash withdrawal and Currency exchange: Super handy.
- Concierge: They were genuinely helpful.
- Dry cleaning and laundry service: Essential. I’m not doing anyone’s laundry.
- Elevator: (I repeat, thank God!)
- Gift/souvenir shop: I always forget to buy my souvenirs!
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Useful if you're, like, a corporate person.
- Car park [free of charge]: Win!
Services and conveniences:
- Air conditioning in public area
- Audio-visual equipment for special events
- Business facilities
- Cash withdrawal
- Concierge
- Contactless check-in/out
- Convenience store
- Currency exchange
- Daily housekeeping
- Doorman
- Dry cleaning
- Elevator
- Essential condiments
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Food delivery
- Gift/souvenir shop
- Meeting/banquet facilities
- Meetings
- On-site event hosting
- Safety deposit boxes
- Smoking area
- Terrace
- Xerox/fax in business center
- Invoice provided
- Ironing service
- Laundry service
- Luggage storage
- Meeting stationery
- Outdoor venue for special events
- Projector/LED display
- Seminars
- Shrine
- Wi-Fi for special events
For the Kids: Family Friendly? Maybe?
I don't have kids, but I did see some families around.
- Babysitting service available if you need it.
- They have a Kids meal.
For the kids:
- Babysitting service
- Family/child friendly
- Kids facilities
- Kids meal
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
- Airport transfer: Convenient!
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes!
- Taxi service: Readily available.
Getting around:
- Airport transfer
- Bicycle parking
- Car park [free of charge]
- Car park [on-site]
- Car power charging station
- Taxi service
- Valet parking
Available in All Rooms: My Comfort Zone
- Air conditioning: Obviously. Riyadh heat is no joke.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential for my sanity.
- Free bottled water: Much appreciated.
- In-room safe box: For my valuables (and by that, I mean my moisturizer).
- Wi-Fi [free]: Score!
- Blackout curtains: Sleep is for the weak…unless it’s in blackout curtains.
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 *
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your average, perfectly-planned itinerary. This is my attempt at conquering Riyadh, Suite Inn Hotel as my base, probably failing spectacularly, and hopefully having a laugh along the way. And it’s going to be messy. I can already feel the jet lag kicking in…
Subject: Riyadh, My Kingdom for a Coffee (And Maybe Some Air Conditioning That Actually WORKS)
Day 1: Arrival - Dust Devils and Despair (…or Is It Delight?)
- 10:00 AM (ish) - Arrival at King Khalid International Airport (RUH): Okay, first impression? Hot. Like, really hot. My carefully curated "desert chic" outfit (linen, oversized sunglasses, the works) is already clinging to me like a sweaty, judgmental second skin. Immigration was a blur of tired smiles and stamp-happy officials. The airport itself is… well, big. Really, really big. Finding my pre-booked taxi to the Suite Inn felt like an Olympic sport - navigating a sea of anxious families, luggage carts, and the persistent feeling I'd left my brain somewhere back in the departure lounge.
- 11:30 AM - Suite Inn Hotel Check-In (FINALLY!): The lobby is… surprisingly opulent. Gold, marble, the whole shebang. Check-in was easy enough, but the sheer amount of luggage I now have to carry is making me question my life choices. I'm praying my room has functioning AC. Please, sweet baby Jesus, let the AC work.
- 12:00 PM - Room Reconnaissance & Catastrophe Avoidance: Success! The AC… is… mildly cool. It’s probably not a five-star hotel standard, but it's a welcome reprieve from the outside heat. I'm not sure what I was expecting but the view from my window is a jumble of beige buildings, palm trees, a distant minaret and the constant hum of the city. I'm gonna fall asleep here.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch at the Suite Inn Restaurant (And the Great Shawarma Crisis): The "international buffet" situation. Okay. Let's just say my expectations were… high. The shawarma was a contender there are also some other options. I try not to expect too much on my first day.
- 3:00 PM - The Desert Drive (or, My Jeep and I vs. the Sand Dune): Okay, so I'm gonna be honest. I slightly underestimated the whole "desert experience." I booked a desert safari tour, thinking romantic sunsets, camel rides, and maybe a quick dune buggy spin. What I got was a bouncy ride in a beat-up jeep that felt like it was on the verge of collapsing. The guide, a stoic man named Khaled, seemed to find my screaming hilarious as we careened up and down the dunes. The sunset, though? Unforgettable. The way the sand turned that amazing shade of orange, and blue sky… I could almost forgive the impending whiplash. I am now covered in sand. Sand in places I didn't even know could get sand. It's a love-hate kind of thing.
- 7:00 PM - Back at the Suite Inn, Pre-Dinner Shenanigans: The hotel pool is a major plus. It's actually cool. I am also getting hungry. Dinner at the hotel restaurant tonight, and then sleep. I can't wait. Oh, there's a power outage, or something with the electricity. I hope that the power will be back.
- 9:00 PM - Dinner at the Suite Inn Restaurant (Round Two): The restaurant is busy, and the food, well, it's fine. I realize it isn't the right time to be picky. What's important is that I am having an enjoyable time.
Day 2: Exploring Riyadh (…and the Quest for Decent Coffee)
- 8:00 AM - Wake-up call (thankfully the power is back): Okay, so the jet lag is real. I feel like I've been run over by a donkey. But! Coffee. Must. Have. Coffee. Breakfast is at the hotel restaurant. It's a buffet, so you know what to expect.
- 9:00 AM - Historical Hike through Ad Diriyah: I hired a taxi driver. I want to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ad Diriyah. This historical area is filled with well-preserved mud-brick buildings. It’s amazing! Definitely worth the heat, but I am still feeling a bit sluggish from last night's shawarma.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch near Ad Diriyah (and the Coffee Quest Continues): I grabbed some delicious grilled chicken wraps from a local shop. The coffee was… okay. Still searching for the perfect coffee, but the food certainly perked me up.
- 2:00 PM - Retail Therapy at the Kingdom Centre Mall: Okay, this is where things get interesting. The Kingdom Centre is pure opulence. This is a temple dedicated to consumerism. I'm having a hard time navigating. I got lost, and was trapped amongst a group of teenagers. It's a beautiful place. The views from the Skybridge are stunning.
- 5:00 PM - Cultural Immersion - The National Museum: I am going to be honest. I wasn't expecting to be so blown away by the National Museum. It's a beautifully designed building and a treasure trove of Saudi Arabian history and culture. Seriously, who knew?
- 7:00 PM - Dinner & Debrief (and More Rambling): Back at the Suite Inn. Dinner this time is going to be…room service. I'm exhausted. The day has been full of sights and smells and experiences, and I need to recharge. It's time to plan the next adventure, which really just means finding another place to grab a delicious coffee.
Day 3: The Art of Doing Nothing (…and Maybe Something Else)
- 9:00 AM - Sleeping In (a Glorious Thing): I am not kidding. This has been amazing. Slept in! The hotel has a great gym, and I am going to make use of it.
- 11:00 AM - Hotel Pool Part Deux: It's hot.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch by the Pool: I got pizza at the restaurant, and it was nice.
- 3:00 PM - The Magic Carpet of Malls: I'm going to go to another mall. I've already heard of some options that I can explore.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner at a Local Restaurant (…Please, No More Buffets!): I'm going to check around the neighbourhood around the hotel.
- 8:00 PM - Relax: I'm going to order some food at the hotel and rest.
Day 4: Departure - Farewell Riyadh (Until Next Time, Maybe!)
- 9:00 AM - Last Hotel Breakfast: The buffet is just what I will need.
- 10:00 AM - Pack, Check Out, and Panic (Did I Leave Anything?): I need to make sure I have all my luggage.
- 11:00 AM - Airport Dash: It's time to say goodbye. Hoping for a smooth trip to the airport.
Final Thoughts:
Riyadh, you were a whirlwind. Full of contradictions, surprises, and a surprising amount of delicious food. The Suite Inn? Well, it served its purpose. It was comfortable, convenient, and the pool was a lifesaver. Would I come back? Absolutely. Next time, I'm bringing a translator, a better sunscreen, and a serious coffee-hunting strategy. Oh, and maybe a hazmat suit for those desert sandstorms. But that's just me.
This is an attempt at the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth… as I experienced it. And frankly, that’s all that matters. Now, where's that coffee? And is there an airport shuttle?
La Purinee Khaoyai: Thailand's BEST Kept Secret? (You NEED to See This!)
Riyadh's BEST Kept Secret: Suite Inn Hotel - FAQs (and a Whole Lot More)
Alright, so you've heard whispers, maybe seen a tantalizing photo or two of the Suite Inn Hotel in Riyadh. Good. Because honestly, finding this place was harder than navigating the Diriyah traffic during rush hour. Let's cut the fluff and get real. Think of this as your pre-trip therapist session. I've been through it (several times, don't judge!), and here's the raw, unfiltered truth.
1. Is the Suite Inn actually *luxury*? I've been burned before...
Okay, look, "luxury" is thrown around like confetti these days. I get it. But YES, Suite Inn *actually* delivers. Think plush carpets you want to roll around on (I may have, shhh!), seriously comfy beds that swallow you whole, and bathrooms that are genuinely Instagrammable. The first time I walked into my suite, I actually gasped. Like, a genuine, "Wow, this is nicer than my *apartment* back home!" gasp. They even had the little chocolates on the pillow, which always makes me feel fancy (and slightly weak for sweets).
Now, a confession: the first time, I was convinced there was a catch. Like, some hidden clause in the fine print that would somehow turn it all into a nightmare. But nope. Just pure, unadulterated comfort. Honestly, it's a solid "yes" on the luxury front. They’re doing something right.
2. What's the deal with the location? Is it convenient or a logistical headache?
Alright, the location. This is where things get a little… nuanced. It’s not *in* the absolute heart of everything, smack dab in the middle of the business district, if you know what I mean. You're probably not walking distance from the massive malls (though a quick taxi ride will sort you out!). But that's *kind of* the point, isn't it? It's a retreat. A sanctuary from the city's hustle.
However, being in a more residential area also means... more traffic. Again, nothing insurmountable, just something to factor in. Think of it like this: you're trading being perpetually in the thick of it for a slightly longer journey to get to *certain* places. But, the peace and quiet at the hotel make it worth it. Seriously. It’s a trade-off I happily make now.
Oh, one more thing. The *parking*. It's, like, underground and can be a bit of a maze. The first time, I swear I spent 15 minutes wandering, convinced I'd gotten trapped in some kind of hotel-parking-dimension. Eventually, I found the elevator. Take a deep breath, and follow the signs. You'll make it.
3. The Food... is it any good? Or just overpriced hotel fodder?
Okay, food. This is important. And here's where I can get a little... fired up. I'm a foodie, you see. And hotel food can be a gamble. At Suite Inn? Mostly good, but with some room for improvement.
The breakfast buffet? Solid. Omelet station? Yes, please! Fresh juices? Absolutely. The pastries, however, are… hit or miss. One day, a perfectly flaky croissant. The next? A slightly sad, deflated pastry. It's a bit of a gamble, but overall, the breakfast situation is a win. Definitely fuel for a day of exploring.
I've also ordered room service, and that was *pretty* good. The club sandwich was epic, and the fries? Crispy perfection. So, the food situation is good, but not quite enough to write home about if you ask me personally. But hey, sometimes you don't want to leave your room, wrapped in a robe, and that's when room service is a godsend.
4. What's the vibe like? Trendy? Quiet? Stuffy?
This is the sweet spot, for me. The vibe leans towards elegant and relaxing. It's definitely not a party place. No thumping music or crowded lobbies. It feels… calm. Sophisticated, but not stuffy. Think of it as a place where you can actually relax and unwind. A place where you can wear your pajamas without feeling self-conscious (again, I *may* have done this…).
The staff really contributes to this. They’re friendly, helpful, and genuinely seem to care about making your stay pleasant. I had a small issue once (my fault, I spilled coffee everywhere) and the staff was so incredibly understanding and helpful. That kind of service makes a world of difference. It’s welcoming. It's what makes the Suite Inn shine.
5. Okay, tell me something specific... like, the *best* thing about Suite Inn?
Ugh, picking *one* thing is impossible! But, since you twisted my arm… The *suites*. Specifically, the *living room* area. Seriously, it's like having your own miniature apartment, and if you're traveling for business, it's the perfect space to spread out and work. And if you're *not* traveling for business, it's the perfect space to sprawl on the sofa, order room service, and binge-watch whatever you want.
I'm telling you, that living room area… it's a game-changer. The first time I saw it, I just wanted to *live* there. Seriously, I considered it. I may have even looked up the price of a long-term stay, just for a fleeting, daydream-y moment. It's just… perfect. That, or the comfy bed and huge bathroom are tied for first place.
6. Are there any downsides? Anything I should be aware of?
Alright, yeah, let’s get real. There are a few… *minor* gripes. The Wi-Fi can be a little temperamental at times – a common hotel issue, sadly. Just be patient and, like, restart your device if you have to. Also, as mentioned before, the parking’s a bit of a labyrinth. And, the elevator situation sometimes feels like it could use an extra one. Don’t overreact – eventually, you’ll be fine.
And, okay, this is completely nitpicky, but the gym is a bit… small. If you’re a serious gym rat, you might want to consider a separate gym membership or adjusting your expectations. I mean, it gets the job done if you’re looking for a quick workout, but it’s not exactly a state-of-the-art fitness center. But honestly? After the comfort and the quiet, I really can’t find much to complain about.
