Hotels
Those
who visited Jeddah in the heady days of the 50s and 60s may be surprised to
learn that they can still haunt their old haunts.
The Kaki Hotel, the Kandahar and the Red Sea Palace have seen
generations of businessmen come to Jeddah to sell their wares and these
hostelries still manage to compete with the next generation of establishments
that have risen from the desert floor shimmering like mirages but solid as
rock.
Oases
of hotels have grown up all over the city – the current favourite for
development is the Corniche north of Tahlia Street which has seen recent
arrivals in the shape of Hilton and Westin, sitting cosily alongside their
competitors Sheraton and Al Bilad.
Although
Jeddah stretches langourously along the Red Sea, expressways such as Madinah
Road and Malek mean that you can stay just about anywhere in the city and
still only be a short journey from wherever your meetings happen to be.
Price guide
$$$
Over $150
$$
$110-$150
$
$70-$110
Exchange rate pegged to the US$ at
3.75
£1 = SR5.5
There is a good range of hotel
accommodation, with rooms generally available, except during Ramadan [2003 -
Oct/Nov] & the pilgrim season, Haj [2003 - Jan/Feb] when advance
reservations are recommended. Service
charges are fixed at 15% for deluxe & first-class hotels but they are
still exceptional value compared to the UK and the US.
Women travellers should note that at some hotels use of the swimming
pool & health club might not be permitted or restricted to certain times. All hotels listed are 5* - the price guide compares the cost
of a single room, including the 15% service charge.
Clicking on the hotel name will take you to the corporate website, where available.
Al Madinah Rd, PO Box 8483
Email: [email protected]
292 rooms, 38 suites, 4 restaurants
Blending Arab tradition with
state-of-the-art services, this compact 7 storey hotel with its distinctive
mashrabiya windows, reminiscent of the older buildings in Balad, is 5 mins
from downtown & close to the Jeddah International Exhibition Centre &
Jeddah Chamber of Commerce. Guest
rooms, lobby, business centre, health club & Regency Club executive floors
have all benefitted from recent renovations.
Four restaurants offer highly-rated Japanese cuisine, Chinese,
international in the Al Dewan Cafe and Middle Eastern in the magnificent
rooftop Al Mashrabiya.
Meeting rooms for up to 500, business
centre, health & fitness club, indoor pool and access to private beach
club with diving facilities.
Jeddah Hilton
North Corniche, Hera’a Street PO Box 128428 Jeddah 21362
Website:
www.hilton.com
Email: [email protected]
414 rooms including 44 suites, 4 restaurants
Under construction for more than three years, and opened in late 2001, the Jeddah Hilton is an impressive structure. Set on the increasingly popular North Corniche, overlooking the Red Sea, a stay at this hotel is probably worth the 1/2 hour drive from the centre of twon. The palatial and opulent lobby area with full-height atrium, palm trees, elegant water features and incredible curved escalators (apparently the others of its kind are in San Francisco), are indicators of the standards throughout. All guest rooms have a private balcony with sea or city views, minibar, hairdryer, two telephone lines, internet access, satellite television.There is also a business centre, sports and health club, conference facilities for up to 2,500 people, ballroom for 1200, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis, squash and basketball courts, bowling alley and shopping arcade. The hotel also has access to a private beach club and diving centre.
Corniche, PO Box 41855, Jeddah 21531
E-mail:
[email protected]
300 rooms, 36 suites 4 restaurants
Built in 1993, this expansive business
hotel has the stamp of 'modern Arabic' design.
Situated on the Corniche a mile from the city centre, it overlooks the
Red Sea & the stunning landmark, the King's Fountain.
Guest rooms & suites all have balconies with sea views while Club
rooms offer the usual extras like in-room video & fax [long-termers can
opt for spacious, super-luxurious self catering apartments].
Dining choices span seafood, international, Lebanese and one of the
most original restaurants in Jeddah, Spears - see details in review section.
Sheraton Jeddah Hotel
& Villas
$$$
North Corniche, PO Box 14315, Jeddah
21424
E-mail:
[email protected]
168 guest rooms, suites &
apartments, 5 restaurants
Classical, modern blue-glass tower
within a landscaped park on the North Corniche overlooking the Red Sea, 15km
from the city center, the hotel is one of Sheraton’s Luxury Collection.
A palm tree esplanade with majestic fountains in the full-height atrium
makes a remarkable entrance statement. Opulent guest rooms with balconies are
a stylistic indulgence & butler service is available on the executive
floor. Ornately themed dining options include International, Chinese, Arabian
& Indian cuisine. Meeting rooms for up to 450, business centre. Fitness centre,
spa, outdoor pool, sauna, tennis, squash.
The private beach 20km north has 17 beach chalets, swimming pool, dive
facilities.
Corniche, Nr junc with Palestine
Street, PO Box 21443
Tel: 661 1000
Fax: 660 6326
323 rooms, 53 suites, 60 apartments, 4
restaurants
Superbly located just off the Corniche
in the elegant Al Hamra District, the Crowne Plaza is only 10 mins from the
city centre & 25 mins from the airport.
The beautiful marbled lobby reflects the superior Crowne Plaza status,
which also ensures elegant & comfortable executive bedrooms.
The 60 furnished apartments offer an even more luxurious setting and
the the 1080 sq m Crystal Ballroom is one of the most spacious in Jeddah.
Restaurants are the popular Al Zahara (international), Al Yasmin
(Arabic) & Sakura (Japanese). 6
meeting rooms, business centre, air ticket reservation, free airport-hotel
transfer, health club with pool, gym, sauna & squash.
Madinah Rd, PO Box 11633, Jeddah 21463
Email:
[email protected]
254 rooms, 30 suites, 4 restaurants
Strategically located on Jeddah's main
artery, Madinah Road, Le Jeddah Meridien is 20 mins from the Foreign Airlines
Terminal, 10 mins from the city centre, adjacent to Jeddah International
Market & at the top end of the shopping district of Tahlia Street.
With subtle but ultra-modern architecture, the hotel is
business-oriented with voice mail & computer connections in all rooms,
video players & hi-fi units on the Royal Club executive floors, which
account for 40% of the accommodation. All
rooms look out on the attractive gardens & terrace.
The restaurants offer a range of international food, Turkish
specialities in Tokapi & American in Texan.
King Abdul Aziz St. PO Box 824, Jeddah
21421
Tel: 642 8555 Fax: 642 2395
272 rooms & suites, 2 restaurants
Located in the heart of downtown Jeddah,
this is the only deluxe hotel within walking
distance of the souqs of Balad. Convenient
for business, banks, travel agents and government offices it is 30 minutes
drive from the Foreign Airlines Terminal.
Suites and executive guest rooms recently refurbished and are comfortable and
well-equipped. The poolside Al
Debaran Tent, overlooking the Red Sea, is an attractive setting for a buffet
function. La Brasserie offers an
extensive buffet breakfast and is popular for business lunches and Friday
brunch. Every Thurs is Seafood
Night. The Pizzeria da Pino
serves an Italian buffet daily alongside its a la carte menu.
Meeting rooms for up to 210, business
services. Airport & beach
shuttle, fitness centre, pool, tennis. City
tours good value at SR25, on Fridays only, by arrangement.
North Corniche
PO Box 51991, Jeddah 21443
Tel: 658 8200
Fax: 658 8201
Email: [email protected]
137 rooms suites in the Hotel, 58
suites in adjacent Westin Suites
This Starwood Hotel (Sheraton is under
the same umbrella) just slips into the top end of the $$ category.
Opened in late 2000, the aim was to create a 5* environment with a more
intimate atmosphere than the standard business hotel, hence the relatively low
number of rooms. The well-equipped rooms and suites are complemented by a
range of restaurants and lounges; the Rania Café serves a la carte breakfast,
lunch & dinner; Le Japonais on the top floor of the hotel offering
spectacular views with your teppanyaki, dinner only; Al Mina Seafood offers
fresh fish specialities as well as favourite meat dishes such as Chateaubriand
- open for lunch & dinner and Dalia's in the Westin Suites tower serves
fresh pastas, burgers, salads and snacks all day.
The Sunset Lounge is highly original - indoor & outdoor seating
with a superb, unimpeded view of the Red Sea - enjoy a variety of interesting
coffees or teas with a snack and a shisha as the sun goes down!
Between the two towers is Duniaty.
Unique in Jeddah, the spectacular, circular two-storey Banquet Hall has
an identical ballroom on each floor, holding up to 1000 people each - both are
equipped with the latest technology in lighting & sound.
Other services include a gift-shop,
jewellery shop, fitness centre, massage, hairdresser/barber, Avis counter.
Palestine St, PO Box 6448, Jeddah
21442
Tel: 671 4000 Fax: 671 5990
E-mail:
[email protected]
158 rooms, 52 suites, 2 restaurants
The hotel’s central position on
Palestine Street affords easy access to Balad and the new ‘financial
district’ on Waly Al Ahd Street. Luxury
rooms with the largest floor area in Jeddah offer voice mail & other
executive extras. Non-smoking
rooms available on request. The
Al Bassateen Restaurant serves international & Arabic dishes - its Friday
buffet is a true smorgasbord.while in the lobby, Le Bistro serves snacks and
the famous Marriott cheesecake! Full
business services, meeting rooms for up to 200.
Pool, health club, sauna & steam room, games room, Internet café,
gift shop, barbers & one of the most highly recommended carpet shops in
the city.
Al Corniche Highway, PO Box 6788,
Jeddah 21452
Tel: 654 4777 Fax: 694 3737
E-mail: [email protected]
150 rooms, 38 bungalows, 3 restaurants
Formerly managed by the Swiss hotelier
Movenpick, the Al Bilad has not suffered from its move to independent status.
Charmingly landscaped and in a secluded setting on the edge of the Red
Sea the hotel is adjacent to the Sheraton and close to the Westin and the
Hilton. Dine on international
cuisine at several inner eateries, or under the stars on the terrace –
excellent Friday brunch inside or out, depending on the season.
The hotel offers a good package at a competitive price, with bungalows
an option for long stints. Conference
room for up to 60 (& 500 poolside). Health club, pool, tennis, squash, bus
shuttle, guided tours, gift shop & barber.
Simple but superb private beach - possibly the best in Jeddah, with
good diving and well-equipped dive shop.
Palestine St, PO Box 7375, Jeddah
21462
Tel: 660 2000 Fax: 660 4145
E-mail:
[email protected]
253 rooms, 43 suites, 3 restaurants
Top location (1km east of US Consulate, near Dr Sulaiman Fakeeh Hospital) & a recent refurbishment combine with Gallic presentation. It’s stylish enough in an international mould, with marble & low-voltage lights in the lobby & classically furnished, comfortable guest rooms. Executive Club Floor features an express check-in/out service, personal fax, computer modem, VCR & private lounge with 24-hr refreshment & private limo service through Hertz. Three restaurants - the Côte Jardin (French), Villa D’Aosta (Italian) & Sanabel (international menu & theme night buffets). Meeting facilities for up to 500, business centre. Health club & access to private beach.
Mina St, PO Box 17466, Jeddah 21494
Tel: 647 4444 Fax: 647 4040
E-mail:
[email protected]
216 rooms, 43 suites, 2 restaurants
Managed by the Oberoi Group, this
superior 4/5 star hotel is in the southern part of the city, near Balad, the
Industrial zone and the Islamic Port. Its
multi-arched architectural profile is echoed in the spacious lobby with
adjoining Al Rawdah coffee shop. Rooms
are modern and well-furnished. The
Kandahar serves authentic 'Moghul' cuisine from the north of India, in a
traditional atmosphere.
Meeting rooms for 350, business
centre, health club, gym, sauna, massage, pool, access to beach chalets, car
hire & courier service.