When Riyadh’s relentless sunshine starts to sizzle, there’s nothing quite like slipping into a cool pool for a quick refresh.
From rooftop retreats with pumping beats and sweeping skyline views to secluded basement spas where the stresses of the world outside melt away, here's our pick of the top five hotel swimming pools in the city.
Fairmont Riyadh
The recently renovated spa at Fairmont Riyadh is a destination worth checking in for in its own right. With soaring triple-height ceilings and a design that lets light flood in from every angle, the expansive space is centred around one of the city's biggest indoor pools. Clean lines, rich textures and a palette of natural tones create an oasis of calm, with sleek marble stairs and plush seating adding a modern edge to the space.
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The St. Regis Riyadh
Sitting above the city's newest luxury address, the open-air rooftop pool at The St. Regis is anchored within Stella Sky Lounge, boasting panoramic views that stretch from the Ritz-Carlton on one side to the exclusive boutiques and restaurants of Via Riyadh below. With chic white sunbeds, lush potted plants and gold-toned design, it's a picture-perfect spot to relax in style as day turns to night.
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The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh
Set beneath a vast domed ceiling adorned with intricate geometric patterns and a skylight framed by dreamy views of painted clouds, the Ritz-Carlton's regal roots shine through in every detail of its indoor pool complex — with ornate columns dressed in traditional Islamic carvings, cascading chandeliers, lush potted plants and plush lounge seating turning the serene space into a slice of palatial paradise. During Ramadan, the poolside transforms into a magical setting, with tables elegantly arranged along the edges for nightly iftar feasts.
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Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh At Kingdom Centre
The Kingdom Centre’s shimmering silhouette dominates Riyadh’s skyline, and there’s no better vantage point than poolside at the Four Seasons. Tucked right beneath the iconic tower, you can lounge in luxury while craning your neck to admire its gleaming arch stretching skyward. Sandwiched between sizzling steakhouse The Grill and the hotel's serene spa, this oasis is open from 7am to dusk daily. The men-only steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi, and cold plunge pool are just steps away, with a juice bar serving up refreshing sips until midnight.
Narcissus Hotel Riyadh
The indoor solarium swimming pool at Narcissus Hotel Riyadh steals the show with its bold mosaic-tiled floor of blues, yellows and greens. Bathed in natural light streaming through the towering domed ceiling, the neoclassical space is completed with etched glass panels and framed contemporary artworks dotted on the walls. When you're ready to unwind, head for the sprawling 1,000-square-metre Narci Spa to explore an array of Jacuzzi pools, saunas and steam rooms — or check in to one of six private suites offering direct access to all the facilities.
