Novotel Riyadh Al Anoud — Hotel in Municipality of Olaya

My weekend stay here was comfortable and it offered an ideal location to explore the city. In the days leading up to my visit I had some really good email dialogue with the team, with their responses being fast and thorough. I arranged a transfer from the airport to the hotel through them and although the driver was a little questionable the 30-minute journey was comfortable. Upon arrival luggage was taken care of and the member of staff behind reception was very welcoming and friendly. There was a bit of a wait for anyone to become available for the check in process, but given the early hour of my arrival it was understandable.

My Superior Room was on the sixth floor with views over the East of the city. The room itself wasn’t the most modern but it was spacious enough with a very large bed and living area, with plenty of space surrounding. The desk area was very big to work from, as was the coffee table. There were small bedside shelves at each side of the bed with a flexible reading light, and an electric socket at one side. The TV was a sensible size for the room and had BBC World News as the UK channel option. The air-conditioning wasn’t the most effective despite being quite loud. There was a digital safe, ironing facilities and a mini bar (although this was secured with a ‘single-use lock’, so no inspecting the contents).

The bathroom was the disappointing aspect of the room - it was much more cramped and in desperate need of a refurb. The paint work around the sink was awful and it was pretty grubby around the bath and shower. The shower was powerful but struggled to provide any proper hot water and the towels were quite small. Toiletries were in small bottles and were pleasant enough but I did find the lighting rather dim in the area.

Fortunately the sleep quality of the room was wonderful. There was absolutely no noise either from the corridors or outside, and the curtains ensured that the room was proper dark even during the day time. The view from the window was alright and despite there being any significant landmarks within shot there was enough action to admire. With the sizeable sofa I can imagine it being comfortable for a number of days.

I was glad that I chose to add the breakfast to the room rate. The buffet had a good range of hot and cold items, with a cooking station for omelettes and a wide range of breads. The atmosphere is good, with a couple of TVs showing news and large tables. The staff were attentive and offered drink refills well and quickly cleared away plates. I took advantage of the evening buffet one day and was equally impressed - a very good range of food and the same great setting. On the ground floor next to reception is a cafe area. The seating is comfortable and is nice for passing time, but I did find it lacked any staff or service, meaning I wasn’t able to get a drink during the couple of times I was there.

I would consider staying here again; the location is certainly good being just a few minutes walk from the Kingdom Centre and being right on the main road, but there are a few aspects which could do with some attention, especially the bathrooms. If you’re only looking for a good night’s sleep though...

One star for the breakfast. I think this hotel redefine how bad and unprofessional a hotel can be and it contributes at least 80% of my negative energy everyday. The first room I got checked in there was no A-con at all while Riyadh was about 10 degress plus raining. I was so freezing until 8pm someone rang the bell and told me there is another room available. And I stay in the room for two weeks peacefully and then I made one of my worst choices in my life to upgrade to the suite. Here we go. I gave the heads up to the reception one day before that I wanted to check in the next day and ask them to prepare the room. They said okay. Second day I called them 12 pm to ask if the suite is ready they said it will be ready at 3pm and until 4pm it still wasn’t. I decided to go to the gym and when I went back my room after working out the key card has been disabled. I have to go to reception and find out wearing tshirt and shorts in 10 degree Riyadh!!! They gave me the key of my new room and didn’t give me the key for the previous one and I had to wait for the bellboy to come and help out. After checking in the new room, the bathroom was in-cleaned and the toilet was leaking water all the time. And I called reception and it took forever for the technician to come till I went out for dinner and back around 11pm. And today after working out I wanna take a shower then I found out there was is no hot water in my bathroom. Again it took forever for the technician to come and help. I wonder how did they clean and check the room for one day and leave all the mess to me. Now I am counting when the guy will knock my door and fix the hot water which has been 1 hour. Don’t choose this...

I’ve been staying at this hotel in Riyadh for about a month as a business traveller, and it has been nothing short of outstanding. From the moment I checked in, the level of cleanliness, order, and maintenance has been remarkable. The hotel is spotless, well-kept, and gives off a calm, professional vibe – exactly what you want when you’re working away from home.

The Food & Beverage section deserves a special mention. It’s immaculate, always well-stocked, and caters to every taste. The team here truly elevates the dining experience. “Manager Jo” is an absolute delight – knowledgeable, approachable, and genuinely eager to help. His attention to detail ensures everything runs smoothly.

Among the F&B team, “Camille” stands out with her ever-present warm smile and welcoming energy, making breakfast or dinner feel a bit more like home. “Abhishek” is constantly beaming with positivity, ensuring that every guest is well taken care of without ever having to ask. And then there’s “Xyruz”, whose skill at the live counter is unmatched – from perfectly cooked eggs and fluffy pancakes to other beautifully prepared dishes, his work reflects both care and craft.

The housekeeping team also deserves high praise – especially “Mohamad”, who ensures my room is cleaned and organized to perfection every single day. His consistency and attention to detail have been impeccable.

Overall, this hotel strikes the perfect balance between professional service and warm hospitality. For any business traveller looking for comfort, cleanliness, and genuinely friendly staff, this is the...