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Cheers to my 171st country – Saudi Arabia! And for this special event, it was the Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Qurtuba, that hosted me!
Finally! After my second attempt, I entered Saudi Arabia. My first attempt was last March 2020 but unfortunately I got stuck at Riyadh airport due to the last minute Covid rules at the time so I decided to cancel my trip to Saudi Arabia. But hey! Here I am now, much bolder and happier!
I am so grateful that not only did I finally enter my 171st country (Saudi Arabia), but also had the chance to stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Qurtuba! I’ve been so lucky to have stayed in one of their chic suites and they just opened less than a year ago, haha!
Things to Do in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
1. Visit the Edge of the World Riyadh
This is one of my bucket lists and it’s finally checked off! I bet you should too! However, if you have no idea what Edge of the World is, it is one of the top tourist attractions in Saudi Arabia. With a view of the surrounding plain, you literally feel like you are on the edge of the world. The uninterrupted view of the horizon as you stand on top of a 300m high cliff offers an amazing experience not to be missed! All thanks to Tinggly that it has finally become possible!
2. Do some mall hopping
Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is not surprising that there are many shopping centers in the city. For this reason, one of the must-sees in Riyadh is shopping mall hopping! Here are some of the shopping centers we recommend you visit:
- Al Nakheel Mall – it’s a giant mall which is very nice and clean. There are also shops to suit all tastes and budgets, upstairs you will find a large number of restaurants and bars dotted around the shopping centre.
- Riyadh Gallery Mall – has many ready-to-wear stores and boutiques, including major brands. There is also a children’s play area with various forms of entertainment.
- Panorama shopping center – the mall stands out for its beautiful exterior and interior as its design is eco-friendly and includes many brands, a high section for children and a large section for restaurants.
3. Explore the Kingdom Center Tower
The Skybridge is THE place to see in Riyadh. From here you can look over the rooftops of Riyadh. You can also eat very well and cheaply in the food court. From Iranian cuisine to sushi to Indian, everything can be found there. Or you can take a little stroll through the mall and people watch. Highly recommended!
4. Grand Al Rajhi Mosque
The Al Rajhi Grand Mosque was built in the 2000s with donations from the Al Rajhi family. It is also the largest mosque in Riyadh with a capacity of 18,000 people in the men’s prayer rooms and 2,500 people in the women’s prayer rooms. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the mosque, but seeing and admiring it from the outside is a must!
5. Go to more attractions in Riyadh!
Riyadh is such a beautiful city to explore! Since it was my first time here, I got so excited about visiting many places. Here are some you must see:
- Al Masmak Fort – The Masmak Fort is an adobe fort built in 1865 by Emir Muhamed ibn Abdul. The court of appeal was located here from 1902 to 1938. Now the fortress serves as a museum. It allows you to learn about life in the Middle East before the advent of modern civilization.
- King Abdullah Park – King Abdullah is the youngest culture and leisure park in the capital of Saudi Arabia. Opened in 2013, it includes several gardens, children’s and family areas, sports areas, pedestrian streets, a restaurant and a large lake with a dancing fountain.
- Al Faisaliah Center – Together with the Kingdom Center Tower, it is one of the tallest buildings in Riyadh. It has a mall inside with some designer stores where you can shop till you drop.
Where to Stay in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
This newly opened luxury hotel in Riyadh was our home while we were in town. It has 104 rooms and suites and 16 villas conveniently located near Riyadh city center and only 20 kilometers from Riyadh International Airport.
From the location itself it was very convenient as I can easily move around and visit popular attractions in Riyadh easily and smoothly you know as a traveler like me I can’t really stay in one place especially since it’s my first time in Saudi Arabia haha!
Suites at the Radisson Blu Hotel
As I mentioned above, there are 104 rooms and suites in the Radisson Blue Hotel, Riyadh Qurtuba. These are the hotel’s different room types:
- Standard
- Standard Room with Terrace
- Junior suite
- One Bedroom Suite
- Royal Two-Bedroom Suite
- Three Bedroom Villa
I stayed in their 1 Bedroom Suite for 4 days and 3 nights! The room itself is very spacious and has this light atmosphere that will make you feel right at home.
To be honest, I can actually stay in the room all day without going out because almost everything I need is already there. Plus, they also have a living room that is separate from the bedroom, which is one of my favorite things about luxury hotels.
The hotel’s restaurants
Would you believe if I said I didn’t get a chance to try Radisson Blu’s restaurants? I know you won’t! haha! Restaurants are a must for me!
Guess what? They have 3 great restaurants in the hotel that I recommend you all try; The Bridge, Pantry & Lounge and Plumeria Terrace.
Another advantage of Radisson Blu Hotel is that they can dine in style outside, inside and on the terrace. So apart from the delicious meals (all thanks to the amazing chefs who prepared the food; Chef Sunil, Chef Niin, Chef Sachin, Chef Bikash, Chef Alli, Chef Talal, Chef Jangir, Chef Dipendar, Chef Ansari, Chef Kiran and Chef Nur ), you are assured of a mouthful of dish with a great ambiance.
My overall experience in Riyadh and Radisson Blu Hotel?
Not only did I have a relaxing and chic stay at the hotel, but I also had the chance to visit beautiful places due to its convenient location (especially the Edge of The World, one of my bucket lists!) Plus, I was able to visit some of the meet the most amazing people! Ah! This trip to Saudi Arabia was an amazing trip all thanks to the Radisson Blu Hotel which was my home and hosted me for a few days. If you are planning a trip to Riyadh you should definitely book at the Radisson Blu Hotel.
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