Holiday Inn Riyadh Izdihar, An Ihg Hotel

“A Quiet Hotel”

A very quiet hotel and seems to be recently renovated. The young man receptionist was very friendly and gave me a free upgrade given my platinum membership. I didn’t try the breakfast as I was busy but I heard it is rich. The hotel has 2 facilities separated but on the same street just across the r… more

A very quiet hotel and seems to be recently renovated. The young man receptionist was very friendly and gave me a free upgrade given my platinum membership. I didn’t try the breakfast as I was busy but I heard it is rich. The hotel has 2 facilities separated but on the same street just across the road from each other. Plenty of parking which was a plus. My room was clean but a bit old fashioned furniture but it didn’t bother me at all. The price was great for Riyadh city and location was perfect for where my meeting was. I would definitely come back again.

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“Tired and overpriced”

Stayed here with 2 work colleagues for the World Défense Show for 7 nights in Feb 24. There is little doubt that the hotel decor and rooms are somewhat passé and in need of a refresh if it’s to compete with the other hotels in the city. The Show pushed prices up even for Riyadh standards and there … more

Stayed here with 2 work colleagues for the World Défense Show for 7 nights in Feb 24. There is little doubt that the hotel decor and rooms are somewhat passé and in need of a refresh if it’s to compete with the other hotels in the city. The Show pushed prices up even for Riyadh standards and there is no way that a night in this hotel was worth €360 even with breakfast. The pool was out of use for the whole stay being renovated/repaired, not that I had any time to use it. The staff were generally excellent, reception couldn’t have been more helpful, housekeeping were outstanding and I had no comments about my room nor its upkeep. I used room service a few times and the service was, again, superb, as was the quality of the food I ordered. Breakfast was an impressive hot and cold buffet with an egg station manned by smiling chefs who really knew how to do a soft poached egg - well done! One small moan though, the hotel hosted a few daily meetings for KSA finance ministries. That meant that there were no parking spaces in side the compound nor on the road outside which was very frustrating after a long day at work! Not sure what they could do though to be honest. Used the laundry service but had to chase it up after 3 days - when I eventually got it back it was done really well. So I’m not sure I’d stay here again, unless I had to, which is a shame as the staff justify a re-visit alone.

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“Barely three circles for and old hotel making poor choices.”

This hotel barely made three circles. It is OK at best and some of the staff who were very helpful helped push it out of the two star level. Being and international chain, I was expecting so much more. And it just did not deliver. The good news is that it does have some staff that smile and wor… more

This hotel barely made three circles. It is OK at best and some of the staff who were very helpful helped push it out of the two star level. Being and international chain, I was expecting so much more. And it just did not deliver. The good news is that it does have some staff that smile and work hard to make your stay a decent one. Plus the gym is large, in a separate building and has a very nice sauna and steam room. Its not a spa, but it is clean and has some decent machines. But there is a lot of not so good news. The hotel will make you feel young again because it has not been updated since maybe the mid-90s. So you feel like your younger self when you are there. The torn carpet, worn fixtures 1930s shower fixtures and very lumpy mattress all show great wear and lack of investment. The breakfast is adequate but grossly overpriced and just not worth the money. But the waiter Mutaza is excellent and really tries to rise to the occasion. The concierge is helpful and the gym staff nice. But the staff at the front desk really need some training on customer service. I absolutely hate it when I am pressured when checking out to give them a '10.' I don't want to do a review at that time and definitely don't want a have a conversation on why they are a 6. Maybe one of the reasons is that even though I am an IHG member with lots of points, they grossly overcharged me for a room for one night. One night was twice the fee I paid for two nights on my regular reservation. And after doing this, with no demonstration og empathy or understanding, they wanted me to rate them a 10. Not happening. They did not earn it and I won't do it. The hotel, and much of the staff, is worn, tired, outdated, and despreatly in need for revamping and training. There are a lot of other hotels in Riyadh and I may pay a bit more, but I get alot more for the money. I would not stay here again. Three circles.

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