Review : Courtyard Marriott Riyadh Olaya

I didn’t think I would return to Saudi Arabia anytime soon after my adventures of 2017/2018… It was not the case, since it is a rather fast return in this so particular country, once again for professional reasons.

This stay will be short: 3 nights including two very short in Riyadh for an express trip.

A look back at this stay without much history.

Booking

I proceeded to book this stay via the Marriott Bonvoy app for myself and my colleague. The price was around 130€ per night.

I chose to stay at the Courtyard Marriott Olaya, because I was already familiar with the other interesting (modern) option, the ALoft Riyadh, where I stayed for several months… The other options were either old-fashioned (the Sheraton) or overpriced (the Ritz-Carlton).

Arrival

Our arrival in Riyadh was more than eventful… Our flight having been delayed of several hours, we arrive at the hotel around 3 am, for an extra-short night. I had notified the hotel with the Marriott Bonvoy app chat system.

The *lobby* is quite elegant for a Courtyard hotel

We arrived at the hotel and the receptionist carried out the formalities of arrival. Our keys are given to us, without any upgrade, and we go up to our rooms.

An ice cream stand, between nostalgia and modernity

Room

My room is located on the 8th floor of the property. Although it is a standard room, it is large and equipped in a rather luxurious way, or at least with good quality materials.

The cupboards in the entrance are very elegant

The entrance is quite large, with several closets, a refrigerator and a courtesy tray.

Facing the closets, the bathroom, modern but rather basic. One can regret the presence of a bathtub rather than a shower. The toilet is in the bathroom. Courtyard toiletries are of very average quality.

Bath products are always very *cheap* at Courtyard

Too bad it’s a bathtub instead of a shower, much more practical for business trips

The rest of the room is quite large. A desk is located near the window, as well as two armchairs. The bed is very comfortable.

The desk is a good size, which is too rare in hotel rooms now

The very comfortable bed (necessary because I always sleep very badly in Saudi Arabia)

Finally, a video tour of the room:

Hotel facilities

The hotel has a fitness room for men and women.

Entrance to the women’s gym (much smaller than the men’s gym)

A swimming pool is also available. It is located on the roof of the hotel.

Very nice pool and jacuzzi on the roof of the hotel

Separate locker rooms are available for men and women. The space is quite nice, and sauna and Hammam are available in the changing rooms.

And the sauna is located immediately opposite

Food options

The hotel has a restaurant located in the lobby and a bar on the terrace. Breakfast is also served in the main lobby restaurant.

The *fresh fruit* area is quite well stocked

Some yoghurts and local dairy specialities

*Cold cuts* are also qualitative and this is rare in Saudi Arabia

Excellent potato fritters (not very homemade though)

The calories stand… But with an unexpected quality!

The presentation of the juices is not very appealing

I will also use the room service which was excellent!

I enjoyed this biryani in *room service*

Departure

The departure formalities were a bit complex: we left in the middle of the night, and transferring the charges on a single bill was a bit complicated, but we managed.

Bottom line

A modern hotel, with a rather pleasant decoration and quality facilities. The reproach, as often in Saudi Arabia, is the food, always the same, always too little elaborated, and it is a pity.