Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip
This week, US President Donald Trump is embarking upon a Gulf visit, with stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. His first destination is the Saudi capital, where he is expected to stay at the The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh.
There are many reasons why the US president would favour The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh as his choice of stay during his official visit to Saudi Arabia. For starters, he would be a returning guest at the luxury resort, having stayed there during his first foreign trip as President in 2017.
Secondly – while it's not a must, as security and logistics often take precedence – US Presidents generally prefer to stay in American hotels on their trips. The Ritz-Carlton is owned by Marriott International, the largest hotel company in the world, with headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland.
Its location, next to the Diplomatic Quarter, also makes it ideal for high-profile visitors.
History
Opened in 2011, The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh was always intended to be a hotel for visiting dignitaries with the hotel saying it envisioned it "as a royal guest palace for visiting heads of state".
It's also the first Ritz-Carlton hotel in Saudi Arabia.
Set on 21 hectares of land, the five-star property exudes old-world opulence. It is surrounded by landscaped gardens, including a courtyard with a 600-year-old olive tree flown in from Lebanon, a tree-lined driveway, parking space for more than 400 cars and a helipad.
Inside, the hotel boasts majestic suites and pastel-hued hallways awash with bronze statues and glittering chandeliers.
Location
The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh is in AlHada area next to the Diplomatic Quarter, an 800-hectare neighbourhood that houses many foreign embassies and several government departments. The hotel is also close to Al Yamamah Palace, the official residence of the King of Saudi Arabia.
And it is only a 35-minute drive from King Khalid International Airport.
Rooms
Guests can choose from 493 rooms, including one opulent Royal Suite, where President Trump is expected to stay.
The grand 418 sq m Royal Suite comprises separate living and seating areas. The huge dining area has a table that seats up to 14 people and an attached kitchen with all necessary features. There are also two bedrooms – one with a king bed and the second one with twin beds, each with their own ensuite bathrooms, as well as a fully furnished study.
Amenities
Guests at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh can choose from three restaurants – the all-day dining buffet restaurant Al Orjouan, which serves an international menu; Chinese restaurant Hong; and Azzurro, which serves Italian food with a modern twist.
There's also the Chorisia Lounge – with an olive tree at the centre – which serves breakfast, as well as afternoon tea, and a cigar lounge called Turquoise.
A six-lane bowling alley is also available to book.
Other amenities include a fitness centre with a separate area for men and women, a heated indoor swimming pool and a spa offering a range of treatments, with separate facilities for men and women, including Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.
Rates
Rooms at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh start at 1,568 Saudi riyals ($418) a night, with the Royal Suite starting at about 20,000 Saudi riyals ($5,300) a night.
On May 5, The National tried to book a room for the week of Trump's visit, but the hotel was fully booked between May 10 and May 14.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
FIXTURES
Saturday
5.30pm: Shabab Al Ahli v Al Wahda
5.30pm: Khorfakkan v Baniyas
8.15pm: Hatta v Ajman
8.15pm: Sharjah v Al Ain
Sunday
5.30pm: Kalba v Al Jazira
5.30pm: Fujairah v Al Dhafra
8.15pm: Al Nasr v Al Wasl
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Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
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On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The%20specs
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The bio
Favourite food: Japanese
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Favourite hobby: Football
Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE
RESULT
Copa del Rey, semi-final second leg
Real Madrid 0
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LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
What went into the film
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2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The flights
Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes.
The car
Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals. A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.
The hotels
Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes.
More info
To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com. Good guidebooks include the Lonely Planet guides to Northern California and Washington, Oregon & the Pacific Northwest.
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