Destination KSA - Your Guide to Saudi

Destination KSA - Your Guide to Saudi

Marhaba: Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah is now open

It is the first of the planned 40 hotels to open

Marhaba: Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah is now open

Get ready to check-in.

Riyadh’s hotel scene has been booming. The Saudi capital has welcomed multiple new properties in the past year including Hilton Riyadh Olaya which opened earlier this year.

Now, the city is gearing up for a awesome close to 2024 and just like with everything else, it is closing the year out with a bang.

Enter Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, opening in the heart of the Kingdom, Diriyah.

The city of Earth has welcomed its first of 40 planned hotels and the sprawling space is a living, breathing tribute to the first capital of the Kingdom.

The sprawling Marriott property has been built using traditional Najdi architecture and has plenty of natural light along with a massive open-air courtyard.

The heavy Najdi doors opened early last week and it is the perfect location for your first staycation for 2025.

So, hand your luggage off to the bellhops. Here is everything to know about the gorgeous opening.

Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah

Bab Samhan
Bab Samhan has tonnes of open spaces for you to relax in. (Credit: marriott.com)

Bab Samhan, one of Diriyah’s most iconic gates, traces its roots back to the reign of Imam Abdullah bin Saud, who fortified the city. Restored into a heritage property, the hotel captures old-world charm with its low-contour mudbrick architecture, Najdi-inspired design, and intricate details drawn from the region’s sun, wildflowers, and palm fronds. Entering through its grand Najdi doors feels like stepping back in time.

The hotel offers 134 guestrooms, including 23 suites, all featuring sand-hued walls, geometric patterns, and hand-crafted Najdi artefacts.

You are welcomed with Arabian hospitality, from spiced fruit iced teas and cardamom coffee chocolates to the thoughtful turndown service, which includes ancestral poetry celebrating storytelling traditions. With its intimate design and authentic touches, Bab Samhan provides a rich cultural escape rooted in the heritage of Diriyah.

Bab Samhan location

Bab Samhan
Almost the entire crew of the hotel is made up of people who have lived in Diriyah their entire lives. (Credit: marriott.com)

While the name sort of gives the location away, the stunning hotel has been erected on King Faisal Ibn Abd Al Aziz Road in Diriyah and is across the street from Diriyah Art Futurres.

Bab Samhan reservations

You can reserve your immersive stay via marriott.com with rates starting from SAR1,500 per night.

Bab Samhan amenities

Your stay at Bab Samhan is going to be incredibly relaxing due to the exclusive fitness center and The Earthen Spa, a serene retreat offering organic, restorative treatments like signature body wraps, scrubs, yoga, and guided meditation. The calming ambiance complements a well-being journey tailored to rejuvenate both body and mind.

The hotel also curates immersive experiences, from Diriyah excursions with guided walks and UNESCO site tours to storytelling, poetry readings, and culinary adventures, all designed to connect you with local heritage. Ideal for events, the venue boasts five flexible spaces and a 400-square-metre ballroom accommodating up to 250 guests, making it perfect for memorable gatherings.

Bab Samhan also offers a rich culinary journey with three specialty restaurants showcasing regional and international flavors. The signature restaurant, Jareed, highlights traditional Najdi cooking techniques blended with modern methods made with locally sourced seasonal ingredients.

For a Mediterranean twist, Taleed by James Beard award-winning Chef Michael Mina serves classic dishes reimagined with regional influences in a lively setting. Medheef, the all-day dining option, centers around a dramatic open kitchen and offers a diverse menu of seasonal dishes inspired by global culinary adventures.

To look forward to in 2025

Bab Samhan
Hans Zimmer will be making his Saudi debut in January, 2025. (Credit: Instagram @hanszimmer)

The new year is set to bring some intense excitement to the city. Riyadh Season will be bringing the man, the myth, the legend Hans Zimmer himself to the city while UFC Power Slap will be making its Saudi debut. Diriyah Season will also be unveiling more activities and all of this is for January alone.

We are in for a packed 2025.

From SAR1,500. Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, King Faisal Ibn Abd Al Aziz Road, Diriyah, @babsamhandiriyah / marriott.com.



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