Visitors to Saudi Arabia will soon be able to get a glimpse of what royal life used to be like in the kingdom, with a stay at one of several historic palaces being converted into five-star hotels.
Unveiled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the new hotel company Boutique Group has plans to transform some of the kingdom's most prominent palaces into opulent hotels that present a “story of heritage and hospitality.”
Owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the company says it will also create new hospitality experiences, covering everything from dining and wellness to “exclusive services” – although no more information on what these will entail has been given.
Two palaces in Riyadh and one in Jeddah are first on the agenda for the ultra-luxury hotel company, and guests can expect traditional Arabian hospitality at the properties which will showcase the kingdom’s rich culture and heritage to visitors from across the world.
“The Crown Prince's launch of the Boutique Group underlines PIF’s mandate to unlock the capabilities of promising sectors in Saudi Arabia that can help drive the diversification of the economy and contribute to non-oil GDP growth,” said Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund.
“The group will enhance the kingdom’s already unique tourism offerings, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading regional and international tourism and cultural destination and contributing to Saudi Vision 2030."
Here’s what we know so far about each of the first palaces set to be converted into hotels …
Al Hamra Palace, Jeddah
Originally built in the 1950s during the reign of King Saud bin Abdulaziz for Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Al Hamra Palace was converted into a hospitality palace in 1971.
It became the place where the most prominent international public figures and VIP guests from around the world were received, including former US president Richard Nixon and former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat.
The structure near Jeddah's corniche showcases traditional Arab-Islamic architecture and Andalusian-style influences including arched gateways, slanted roofs and a facade crafted from Riyadh stone, a sandy-coloured limestone that's quarried in the kingdom.
Boutique Group will launch Al Hamra Palace as a 77-key hotel, inclusive of 33 luxury palace suites and 44 luxury villas. With towering palm trees and views over the city's coastline, guests checking in will enjoy first-rate hospitality including their own private butler service.
Tuwaiq Palace, Riyadh
One of Riyadh’s most historical and cultural landmarks is Tuwaiq Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter. Built in 1980 overlooking Wadi Hanifa and the capital's cityscape, the building was originally erected as a cultural club.
Sprawling across nearly 110,000 square kilometres of space, it was a place for recreation, restaurants, conferences, social events and more.
Paying tribute to desert fortresses and traditional Bedouin tents, the palace was awarded the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1998. The building’s unique design has an 800-metre-long living wall and the striking "heart tent", a mesmerising colourful structure made from pieces of stained glass.
Guests checking in here will be able to see a lot of traditional architecture from Saudi Arabia’s central Najd region, such as the introverted courtyard to help create shade, fortress-like walls to insulate from the summer heat and small window openings to minimise solar gain.
Lush gardens surround the palace, which will open as a 96-key hotel, inclusive of 40 palace suites and 56 private villas.
Red Palace, Riyadh
With its distinctive red exterior, the Red Palace in Riyadh’s Al Fouta neighbourhood was completed in 1944 for Crown Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz, who reigned from 1953 to 1964.
The 16-suite palace was the first reinforced concrete and steel building in the capital and was the royal residence for many years. As a place for greeting heads of states and other important visitors, the walls of this building undoubtedly bore witness to a number of key political decisions and historic events for the region.
After King Saud’s move to Al-Nasriya Palace in 1953, the Red Palace became the office of the Saudi Council of Ministers office and subsequently the Board of Grievances, until 1987.
It is a place of grandeur and history and will operate as a boutique 71-key hotel with 46 luxury suites and 25 guest rooms.
Hotels opening in 2022 - in pictures:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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The biog
Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.
Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella
Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (Kick-off midnight UAE)
Saturday Levante v Getafe (5pm), Sevilla v Real Madrid (7.15pm), Atletico Madrid v Real Valladolid (9.30pm), Cadiz v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday Granada v Huesca (5pm), Osasuna v Real Betis (7.15pm), Villarreal v Elche (9.30pm), Alaves v Real Sociedad (midnight)
Monday Eibar v Valencia (midnight)
Muguruza's singles career in stats
WTA titles 3
Prize money US$11,128,219 (Dh40,873,133.82)
Wins / losses 293 / 149
Racecard:
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) | Group 2 | US$55,000 (Dirt) | 1,600 metres
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint (TB) | Group 2 | $250,000 (Turf) | 1,000m
7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,600m
8.15pm: Meydan Trophy | Conditions (TB) | $100,000 (T) | 1,900m
8.50pm: Balanchine | Group 2 (TB) | $250,000 (T) | 1,800m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (D) | 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,410m.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Packages which the US Secret Service said contained possible explosive devices were sent to:
- Former first lady Hillary Clinton
- Former US president Barack Obama
- Philanthropist and businessman George Soros
- Former CIA director John Brennan at CNN's New York bureau
- Former Attorney General Eric Holder (delivered to former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz)
- California Congresswoman Maxine Waters (two devices)
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.
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
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The Indoor Cricket World Cup
When: September 16-23
Where: Insportz, Dubai
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
Our House, Louise Candlish,
Simon & Schuster
