Riyadh's BEST Suites? Novotel Center Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
Riyadh's BEST Suites? Novotel Center Review (You WON'T Believe This!) - My Honest (and Slightly Chaotic) Take!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I just spent a few days at Riyadh's Novotel Center, and let me tell you, it was… an experience. Was it the BEST suites in Riyadh? Well, that's what we're gonna dive into. This isn't some polished, corporate brochure spiel. This is real life. This is me, and my slightly sleep-deprived brain, spilling the tea (or maybe the lukewarm tap water from my room, more on that later).
First Impressions: The Arrival (and the Slight Panic About the Car Park!)
Coming into Riyadh, traffic is… well, it’s an experience in itself. But thankfully, the Novotel Center boasts car park [free of charge] and car park [on-site]. Score! Or so I thought. Finding a spot felt a bit like winning the lottery. The parking situation is… interesting. Not a disaster, but definitely not the effortless glide I’d hoped for after a long flight. Valet parking, however, is an option, which you might want to seriously consider, especially if arriving at peak hours.
The doorman was a friendly face though, and a welcome relief. First impressions are important, right? The lobby is… modern. Clean. A bit… hotel-y. You know the type. Efficient, but lacking a certain je ne sais quoi.
Accommodation: The Room (and My Love-Hate Relationship with the Blackout Curtains)
My room, a [non-smoking] oasis, was… decent. Clean, yes. Comfortable, mostly. It featured a desk which was a HUGE plus considering I needed to work. The internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi [free]) was a lifesaver. Speaking of which, yes, free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Thank the stars! I’d heard horror stories about hotels charging exorbitant fees for Wi-Fi these days. This was a genuine win.
Now, the blackout curtains? Oh, the blackout curtains. They were both a blessing and a curse. They were AMAZING at blocking out the Riyadh sun, which is intense, let me tell you. But… they also made me feel like I was living in a tomb. Seriously, I had to set about FIVE alarms just to make sure I wasn't late for anything! I swear I almost needed a compass to navigate the room after 7 AM.
Other room features? Air conditioning (in all rooms), mini bar, coffee/tea maker, in-room safe, a safe-box, a refrigerator, an iron and ironing facilities, and surprisingly, even a reading light. I really appreciated the complimentary tea and free bottled water, small details that make a big difference. My room, thankfully, was a high floor, and quite silent so I could enjoy the soundproofing.
But, for the love of all that is holy, do NOT forget to turn on your additional toilet light! I nearly lost my footing! Seriously, I'm not kidding.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe (Mostly)
Okay, this is crucial. In the current climate, cleanliness and safety are paramount. And the Novotel Center seemed to take it seriously. There was hand sanitizer everywhere. The staff wore masks. They have hot water linen and laundry washing, and I noticed signs advertising anti-viral cleaning products and daily disinfection in common areas. I saw the cleaning staff rooms sanitized between stays and I felt assured that everything was as clean and sanitized as it could be. They also have Staff trained in safety protocol. They also have an opt-out option if you don't want your room cleaned!
It’s not perfect, but the effort was definitely there, and trust me, I'm not a germaphobe, but knowing they were trying made me feel a lot more at ease. They have CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, which is always reassuring.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: The Breakfast… It Was a Journey
Let me be honest, the breakfast [buffet] was… the highlight and the lowlight. There's breakfast [buffet] and breakfast service. They also offer breakfast takeaway service.
The upside? A decent selection of everything. Asian breakfast options were available, and generally, the international cuisine in restaurant was pleasant. The coffee, though, was… weak. I needed a caffeine intervention by mid-morning. I grabbed a cup of coffee/tea in restaurant and tried to act normal.
The lowlight? The crowds. The sheer, chaotic, buffet-frenzy. Finding a table was a small victory. Also, I found myself reaching for a salad from the salad bar when the fried eggs ran out. Maybe I should have sought a vegetarian restaurant for something more my style. I may be the last person to admit the obvious but I am also a sucker for desserts in a restaurant.
The saving grace? The room service [24-hour]. After a long day in meetings, ordering a burger and fries to my room was pure heaven. They had a snack bar too, which was perfect for those late-night cravings. And, yes, a bottle of water. Gotta stay hydrated in the desert!
Getting Around: Getting From A to B (ish)
Okay, so the hotel has airport transfer, which is a lifesaver, especially in Riyadh traffic. However, the best is a taxi service which is what I used most of the time. I also appreciate the car park [on-site], even though the parking spots are a bit scarce.
Services & Conveniences: The Perks (and a Little Disappointment)
The Novotel Center offers a good range of services and conveniences. Daily housekeeping was impeccable. I also took advantage of the laundry service because let's face it, I’m messy. The concierge was incredibly helpful, navigating some tricky requests with a smile. They have currency exchange, which is handy. Cash withdrawal at the ATM was a breeze.
However… I was hoping for more from the entertainment side. No pool. The hotel lacks the usual hotel perks, like a pool with a view for example. Considering the price tag, some of the extra amenities could have been better integrated.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Finding Calm in the Chaos
This is where the Novotel slightly underwhelms. There's a fitness center, but I didn't get a chance to use it. I would have loved a spa, but I couldn’t quite find one in the area. No swimming pool either.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag
I can't comment on the facilities for disabled guests or wheelchair accessible features specifically, as I didn't personally require them. However, the hotel’s website and promotional materials highlight these features. If you require specific accessibility features, I strongly advise contacting the hotel directly to confirm your needs can be met—and be very clear.
Internet & Business Facilities: Staying Connected & Productive
The internet access, as I mentioned, was a godsend. Wi-Fi for special events might be a plus. Business facilities are pretty standard, with meeting/banquet facilities, and the usual Xerox/fax in business center. A meeting stationery made the work a bit easier.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly?
I didn’t have any kids with me, but from what I saw, it was pretty family/child friendly. The babysitting service is a great bonus for parents who want some downtime.
Overall Impression: The Verdict (Finally!)
So, would I recommend the Novotel Center? It depends.
The Good:
- Excellent location for business travelers.
- Free, reliable Wi-Fi.
- Clean and safe, with a clear focus on sanitation.
- Comfortable rooms.
- Friendly staff.
- 24-hour room service.
The Not-So-Good:
- Parking can be a nightmare.
- Breakfast crowds can be overwhelming.
- Lacks some of the typical "hotel extras" (pool, spa).
- The general vibe is a bit… impersonal.
My Final Thoughts:
Ultimately, the Novotel Center is a solid, reliable choice for business travelers who prioritize convenience and connectivity. It's not a luxury resort, but it's a comfortable and efficient base for exploring Riyadh and getting work done. If you're looking for a hassle-free stay, choose this hotel. I, however, need to plan more activities for the next one!
Final Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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Escape to Tulsa: Luxurious Stay at Clarion Hotel Broken Arrow
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my, uh, slightly chaotic (read: gloriously messy) adventure at the Novotel Suites Riyadh Center, Saudi Arabia. Don't expect a perfectly streamlined travel blog, because honey, I am the chaos. This is less a polished travelogue and more a diary entry written after a particularly strong cup of Arabic coffee.
Day 1: Arrival in Riyadh and the Art of Surviving Air Conditioning
- Morning (6:00 AM, approximately): Ugh. The alarm. The dreaded, soul-crushing alarm. Riyadh arrival! I'm usually a "snooze eight times, then panic" kind of person, but today, I'm "panic-because-I-think-I-forgot-my-passport" person. Found it! In my bra. Don't judge. Travel is a weird beast.
- Mid-morning (10:00 AM, King Khalid International Airport): The flight was…fine. That’s about as enthusiastic as I can get about air travel. The airport, though, wow. Massive, gleaming, and the epitome of modern. Wandered around like a lost, sweaty sheep for a bit, trying to figure out which direction was "baggage claim." Successfully navigated customs and the charmingly intense baggage carousel dance (people are aggressive, even with those fancy luggage tags!), and finally got a taxi to the Novotel.
- Lunch (12:00 PM, Novotel Suites Riyadh Center): First impressions? Clean. Very clean. Almost too clean. Like, I'm afraid to touch anything. The room is huge, a suite! (Who am I?) The air conditioning, though, is a beast from the frozen north. I kid you not, I'm pretty sure I saw my breath. Fighting the arctic blast is a daily struggle. I have taken to carrying a pashmina around like it's my emotional support blanket. Lunch at the hotel's restaurant was… edible. The dates were AMAZING, though. Sweet, sticky, and a welcome reprieve from the chill.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Settling in. Trying to locate the coffee maker. This is a crisis. Found it! Glorious, glorious coffee. Still shivering, though. The hotel staff are incredibly polite, almost overly so. I feel a bit like I'm constantly under observation. I suspect I might be committing some cultural faux pas without even realizing it. The world is my oyster, and I’m clearly the clumsy pearl.
- Evening (6:00 PM, wandering around the hotel): My brain is a scrambled egg after the flight, so tonight's objective is to not get lost. I decided to scout out the local environment. I found a shop… and I bought a brightly colored scarf, which I promptly wrapped myself in, like a mummy. The hallway is a maze, though. Am I going in circles? Perhaps.
- Evening (8:00 PM, Dinner at the hotel): The buffet. The sheer abundance! I tried a little of everything. Some things were delightful, some… less so. Let's just say my stomach is a diverse ecosystem, and I learned a few new things about my digestive system. The dessert station, though… chef’s kiss. More dates! I will return tomorrow.
Day 2: The Souk, The Heat, And The Absolute Madness of Shopping
- Morning (9:00 AM): Woke up slightly frozen. The AC is a threat. Decided to be brave and turn it down. Went from frozen to slightly chilly. Still progress, right? Had a surprisingly good breakfast. The bread was amazing and coffee was… consistent.
- Late Morning (10:30 AM): The adventure begins! Hired a car and driver to take me to the local souk (market). Riyadh traffic is an experience. Let's just say I saw more horns honking in the first ten minutes than I've heard in the past decade. The driver, bless his heart, seemed unfazed. He even gave me a running commentary, which was mostly lost on me because my Arabic is, shall we say, non-existent.
- Mid-day (11:30 AM, Souk): Oh. My. Goodness. The sensory overload! Incense, spices, gold glinting everywhere, the cacophony of bartering… It's… intense. And hot. Like, walk-across-hot-coals-hot. I haggled with a vendor over a tiny, intricately carved box, which I swear, nearly gave me an aneurysm. I won. I think? He gave me a look that suggested I had been utterly fleeced, but I was so thrilled with my tiny box, I didn’t care.
- Lunch (1:00 PM, Souk Food Stall): Found a tiny hole-in-the-wall serving shawarma. Best shawarma I have ever had. Seriously. It was juicy, flavorful, and, honestly, a religious experience. The language barrier was a minor inconvenience (lots of pointing and smiling), but the food was worth the struggle. This is what travel is all about: trying new things and taking risks.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM, Souk Round 2): Decided to brave the gold souk. It was… overwhelming. So much bling! So much… bling! I was tempted to buy a diamond-encrusted camel figurine, but my bank account (and common sense) thankfully prevailed. I did, however, purchase a gorgeous silver bracelet. Felt like a queen for approximately three seconds. Then I realized I couldn't get the clasp open. Another minor crisis, and I eventually had to be rescued by the sales assistant.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM, Hotel): Back at the icy sanctuary of the Novotel. Exhausted. Smelly (the scents of the souk cling like a second skin). Slightly delirious from heat, bartering, and sheer overload. Lay on the bed, closed my eyes, and listened to that lovely hum of the air conditioner for a little bit.
- Dinner (7:00 PM, Hotel): Back to the buffet. Still sampling. Still enjoying the dates. Trying to figure out how to smuggle a mountain of them past customs. This is a plan I'm taking seriously.
Day 3: The Unexpected Oasis of the Hotel Pool & The Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing
- Morning (9:00 AM): Woke up. Cold. Air conditioner. You win this round. But the sun's out, so I'm turning on the sunshine inside.
- Late Morning (10:00 AM): After a bit of a wander, I went and checked out the pool area. The water was beautifully clear, and the pool area was basically empty! It was so peaceful! I pulled up a sun lounger (the hotel had a selection of books, which I found a bit delightful), and just… sat. Read a book. Listened to the birds. Did absolutely nothing. It was the best decision I've made all week. Seriously, I could get used to this.
- Lunch (12:00 PM, poolside): They have a snack bar at the pool! Ordered a club sandwich. It was… edible. But the view? Phenomenal.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): More blissful pool time. I swear, I could have stayed there all day, but I knew I had to brace myself for the next adventure… which was…
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Packing, sadly. Trying to figure out how I'm going to fit all my (slightly questionable) purchases into my bulging suitcase. That tiny, intricately carved box is going to be the death of me.
- Evening (7:00 PM, Last Dinner): One last buffet run. One last mountain of dates. I’m going to miss these dates.
- Evening (9:00 PM): Bed. Slightly sad because it's almost over. But the hotel is clean, the staff is kind, and the dates will live on in my memory. Plus, you know, there's the faint promise of a return trip.
Final Thoughts:
Riyadh is… an experience. It's frenetic, fascinating, and at times, utterly baffling. The Novotel Suites Riyadh Center was clean, well-appointed, and a welcome haven from the heat. And the dates? Don't even get me started on the dates. So, would I recommend it? Absolutely. But pack a pashmina, embrace the chaos, and prepare for a sensory adventure unlike any other. And, for the love of all that is holy… don't forget your tiny, carved box!
Hotel Ross Germany: Unbeatable Luxury Awaits You!
Is the Novotel Riyadh Center Suites REALLY as glamorous as the pictures?
Glamorous? Hmm. Let's just say the *lighting* does a LOT of heavy lifting in those photos. Think of it like online dating profiles: the filters are strong, people. The initial impression is...polished. But enter the reality of the actual suite, and you might find yourself whispering, "Oh, honey, no." My suite? It was spacious, sure, and had a decent view (once you'd cleaned the condensation off the window, which, okay, was MY fault for leaving the AC blasting). But gleaming? Pristine? Nah. More like... comfortably lived-in. Like, a *very* comfortable uncle's apartment, circa 2008. I swear, I think I saw the ghost of a rogue dust bunny once.
Okay, but what about the *size* of the suites? They brag about space!
Okay, *that* part is true. You could practically hold a small dance party in some of these suites. Seriously. My living room could have comfortably fit a family of five, a goat, and a small drum kit. I actually *considered* inviting some locals over for tea, just so I could make use of the space. (Didn't. Anxiety, remember?). But yeah, if you need room to spread out, or you have kids who need to burn off some energy before they drive you completely round the bend, you're golden. Just don't expect that "minimalist chic" vibe. Prepare, instead, for what I call "eclectic Saudi family home, pre-renovation."
Is the Wi-Fi bearable? I NEED to work!
Oh, the Wi-Fi. Where do I even begin? It's...present. Sometimes. Other times, it's off gallivanting on its own little internet adventure. I spent one particularly frustrating afternoon tethered to my phone, desperately trying to upload a presentation while simultaneously muttering obscenities under my breath. The IT help desk were lovely, bless them, but even they seemed to chuckle a little when I called for the seventh time. "Yes, sir, the Wi-Fi is… intermittent. Have you tried… rebooting your brain?" So, yeah, if your work is critical, maybe invest in a good data plan. Just a thought.
The breakfast buffet: Worth the hype?
Ah, the breakfast buffet, the ultimate test of a hotel's soul! And the one area that nearly saved the whole experience, for me. It's...pretty good. Solid, even. They had your standard international spread: eggs (made to order, thank the heavens!), pastries (some better than others, let's be honest), fresh fruit, and… okay, I'll admit it… I ate a LOT of their dates. Dates are just *the* thing in Saudi Arabia. And the coffee? Decent. Not life-changing, mind you, but perfectly drinkable, and that's what you *need* at 7 AM when you've been battling jet lag and dodgy Wi-Fi all night. The service was...enthusiastic. A little *too* enthusiastic at times. I felt like a celebrity, with staff members eager to take my plate before it was even halfway empty. But hey, better than grumpy, I guess.
How's the location? Is it convenient for getting around Riyadh?
The location is...fine. It's in the "center," as the name suggests. Which in Riyadh, it should be noted, means "relatively central, but still involves a lot of driving." You'll need a cab or ride-sharing app to get anywhere interesting. I did a lot of app calling during my stay and used a lot of time. Just plan on budgeting for transportation (and a LOT of time spent in traffic) if you want to explore. It is not the most walkable city I've ever been to, let's just say.
The pool – is it any good?
Okay, let's talk about the pool. Because honestly, it could be a *dealbreaker*. And for me, it was. Picture this: you've spent all day battling emails, dodging traffic, and attempting to understand the nuances of Saudi coffee culture (which, by the way, is a whole *other* level of complex). You crave a refreshing dip. You envision yourself lounging poolside, sipping a chilled beverage, the sun kissing your skin...
Now erase that image. The pool area was... underwhelming. I get that Riyadh isn't Miami, but... the vibe was more "community pool at a slightly dilapidated apartment complex" than "luxury oasis." The sun loungers felt like they'd seen better decades. The whole area gave me this sense of ...emptiness. I'm not even sure I saw other humans in the pool during my stay.
So, truth be told, I bailed on the pool after five minutes. It just wasn't the relaxing sanctuary I was hoping for. Maybe I'm spoiled. Maybe my expectations were too high. But if you're a serious pool person (which, let's face it, I kind of am) research the alternatives.
Room service: Good, bad or meh?
Room service...was a mixed bag. The burgers were surprisingly decent. The fries were...not. More often than not, my order was…slightly incorrect. Which, you know, happens. Fine. The real issue? The *timing*. I'm still not sure if they were operating on some sort of alternate space-time continuum, or just incredibly busy. Expect delays. Bring snacks. And maybe a good book. Because you'll be waiting. Waiting for your burger, waiting for your life.
Would you stay at the Novotel Riyadh Center Suites again? The ultimate verdict!
Okay, the moment of truth. Would I stay there again? Hmmm. If you REALLY need the space, and breakfast is a MUST, and you're prepared for the Wi-Fi to occasionally go rogue... then, yeah, maybe. But with a HUGE "BUT." I'd probably shop around. It's fine. It's *okay*. But it's not a "wow" experience. It's a "meh" experience, elevated by a good breakfast and, to be honest, a certain amount of the *charm* of Riyadh itself.
My advice? Read reviews. Manage expectations. And for the love of all that is holy, make sure you have a functioning data plan.
