The Red Palace Hotel has witnessed many defining moments in Saudi Arabia’s history and hosted numerous prominent Saudi and international figures.
During the 1940s, most homes and buildings in Riyadh were constructed primarily from mud brick. However, a tragic incident changed the course of construction practices in the Kingdom. Following the destruction of Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz’s palace by fire, King Abdulaziz issued a royal decree in 1942 to build a new residence for the Crown Prince using modern construction materials.
The result was the Red Palace, the first palace in Saudi Arabia to be constructed using reinforced concrete and steel, in collaboration with businessman Mohammed bin Laden, founder of the Binladin Group.
Following Prince Saud's five-year residency, the Red Palace transitioned into a key government hub. It served as the Council of Ministers' headquarters across the reigns of King Faisal, King Khalid, and King Fahd, before becoming the home of the Board of Grievances in 1988.
In more recent years, after an extensive restoration by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the Ministry of Tourism, the palace was transformed into a museum in 2019, showcasing the personal belongings of King Saud alongside artefacts from other Saudi kings. And in 2022, Boutique Group began transforming the Red Palace into an ultra-luxury boutique hotel, offering guests the rare opportunity to stay in one of Saudi Arabia’s historic royal palaces. The hotel is expected to open during the coming months of 2026.
Historic Architecture
The Red Palace is regarded as one of Saudi Arabia’s most remarkable architectural landmarks, distinguished by its scale, craftsmanship, and elegant design.
One of its most distinctive features is its innovative natural daylighting system, with square open courtyards strategically positioned throughout the building to allow sunlight to illuminate much of the interior. The palace is also renowned for its intricate interior décor and distinctive exterior ornamentation. Its design blends Eastern and Western architectural influences, combining the elegance of Art Deco with traditional Najdi architecture. The façade is adorned with floral motifs inspired by King Saud’s favourite flower, while balconies surrounding the palace overlook expansive gardens stretching across both the front and rear courtyards.
The Red Palace’s iconic façade was also featured on Saudi Arabia’s 100-riyal banknote in the 1968 and 1970 issues, highlighting its status as one of Riyadh’s defining architectural landmarks of that era.
The Red Palace Hotel: Rooms and Suites
Slated to open this year, the Red Palace Hotel is expected to deliver the highest standards of luxury while preserving the authenticity and heritage of its historic setting.
With 70 luxury accommodations in which to stay — spanning 26 sleek rooms, 44 indulgent suites, and an exclusive Royal Suite — guests will be treated to premium amenities no matter which room is booked. In addition to the luxurious rooms and unique setting, guests will also enjoy four fine-dining restaurants, nine event and meeting venues, and a spa dedicated to relaxation and rejuvenation, with eight wellness suites. Surrounding the property will be extensive landscaped gardens, creating a tranquil sanctuary that shields guests from the bustle of the city and offers a peaceful retreat.
The soon-to-open palace won the Best Hospitality Project of 2026 at the Design Middle East Awards, thanks to the architectural vision developed by Aedas Global Architecture; where the restoration project successfully combines contemporary luxury with the palace’s original gypsum detailing and wrought-iron craftsmanship.
More Royal Palace Hotels to Come
The transformation of the Red Palace from historic building to hotel, is part of a broader vision to transform Saudi Arabia’s historic royal palaces into world-class luxury hospitality destinations. A number of palaces are set to be renovated, with upcoming projects is the 110,000 square-metre Tuwaiq Palace in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, which will feature more than 95 guest rooms and suites. And in Jeddah, Al Hamra Palace will join the collection with 34 luxury villas and 47 suites, all designed to offer exceptional levels of comfort and hospitality.
