With new hotels and luxury resorts opening up at a breakneck pace these last few years, it’s fair to say that Jeddah has transformed in front of our eyes. Where once the best hotels in the city might’ve been clustered in one neighbourhood, there are now a host of options in all of its suburbs. For those looking to escape Riyadh's summer heat, it's yet another reason to flock to this charming coastal city to make the most of its cooling sea breezes.
Discover the best places to stay, from kid-friendly rooms to luxury hotels with spas and decadent amenities. Plan for a family trip to Jeddah, a couple's getaway or an exciting solo trip – Saudi's second city has lots of wonderful options to choose from.
Where are the best places to stay in Jeddah?
From the bright lights of King Abdullah Sports City in the high north of Jeddah, all along the Corniche to historic Al Balad, you can find yourself spoilt for choice when looking for places to stay.
Tourists have traditionally kept toward the coast, and some of Jeddah’s best luxury hotels can still be found around this area. Given their spectacular proximity to the lapping shores of the Red Sea, such places have always been among the nicest parts of Jeddah to stay in. However, further inland, some international chains are making use of the city’s rapid modernisation, matching new developments with equally world-class hotels and hospitality venues.
Jeddah is now home to some of the most established brands in international hospitality, welcoming flagship hotels built to world-leading scales of grandeur. For all their impressiveness as architectural marvels, they are as opulent inside, with standards of service that will guarantee the stay of a lifetime, whether you’re visiting Jeddah with your family, your partner, or even on a solo trip.
1. InterContinental Jeddah
For a place at the very heart of the action in Jeddah, and with an enviably direct view of King Fahd’s fountain erupting from the sea, there’s no better place to stay in Jeddah than the InterContinental. Set within a vast complex of sweeping Salamanca concrete and manicured trees, the InterContinental Jeddah straddles the line between luxury hotel and resort – an oasis of calm from the lively Corniche beyond its walls.
2. Shangri-La Jeddah
Standing tall and proud above the waterfront, the Shangri-La feels like its namesake: a tranquil spot, high in the sky, far removed from the everyday distractions of life on the ground. You feel this from the moment you ascend in the elevator of the Burj Assila, toward the 29th floor – Shangri-La occupies the 29th to the 63rd floors. Enjoy the incredible skyline views from your luxurious room, in the spa with a luxury hammam, and dream about them long after you get back down to earth.
3. The Rosewood Jeddah
Ash Shati regularly tops lists for the nicest part of Jeddah to stay in and, from a stroll around Prince Naif Park, you see quite quickly why that’s the case. Looking outwards from the park, you’ll pick out the area’s brightest building – The Rosewood Jeddah, a gleaming masterpiece in royal blue tile, and one of Jeddah’s best luxury hotels. Should you choose this corner of the city, you can trust that The Rosewood will be the perfect base.
4. The Ritz-Carlton Jeddah
Indisputably the place to see and be seen, The Ritz-Carlton Jeddah is perhaps the city’s most glamorous hotel. Situated in a prime spot in the middle of the Corniche, the scale of the establishment is so grand as to almost be its own neighbourhood. Indeed, when it hosts the Red Sea International Film Festival, it comes alive as a mini-citadel, with the world’s great and good staying in the suites upstairs.
5. Casablanca Grand
For a kid-friendly place to stay that still delivers five-star luxury in spades, the Casablanca Grand is an unmissable option in Jeddah. Long considered one of the best luxury hotels in the city, it is an ideal place for families visiting Jeddah, given its convenient proximity to King Abdulaziz International Airport, and to the vast and vibrant Cenomi Mall of Arabia. Book a suite and treat yourself to a sense of old-school opulence.
6. Shirvan Hotel
Offering an unashamedly urban sense of comfort in the thriving, arty neighbourhood of Ar Rawdah, the Shirvan Hotel is a great spot for couples to stay in Jeddah. Stroll around the area’s beautifully preserved streets ahead of an evening’s dinner at Shirvan’s airy, modern restaurant, Alaaly; or stay in the hotel all day, enjoying the spa, sauna and pool. Whichever way you go, you’ll be charmed by the hotel, and by Ar Rawdah – a hidden gem you’ll be eager to keep to yourself.
7. Rixos Obhur Jeddah
Rixos, the renowned international hospitality brand, has rocked up to Jeddah and is taking the beach hotel scene by storm with its five-star, all-inclusive offering. Choose a lavish suite or luxurious villa, all with sweeping views of the sparkling Red Sea. Located in Jeddah's popular Obhur Bay, the resort offers a wide selection of restaurants and lounges, an exclusive spa, a private beach area and several pristine pools – there's a strong possibility you may never want to leave.
8. The Jeddah EDITION
No list of the best places to stay in Jeddah would be complete without a mention of perhaps the most eagerly anticipated hotel opening in the city’s modern history: the launch of The Jeddah EDITION, the luxury brand’s first hotel in the Kingdom. From your window – if you choose your room right – you can look out on the Formula 1 racetrack or, on calmer days, to the glistening Red Sea, a mere stone’s throw from the opulent Jeddah Yacht Club & Marina.
9. Narcissus Resort Obhour
If it’s relaxation you’re pursuing in Jeddah, then head directly to the Narcissus Resort Obhour: a short drive north from the city, right up on a private beach, amid pearly white sands and a sense of quiet that’s increasingly hard to find in the city these days. As a safe and self-contained resort with easy access to the airport, the Narcissus is comfortably among the best places to stay for families visiting Jeddah, no matter the time of year.
