When temperatures in Riyadh reach a whopping 45 C on the daily, nothing beats the heat better than a refreshing pool day.
If you are new to Riyadh or living in an apartment, finding an affordable option to lounge around a pool can be a challenge — or even require a direct invitation if you are looking to access one in a compound.
Located in Riyadh’s culturally vibrant Diplomatic Quarter, the Marriott Hotel allows access to non-residents for a fee of SR200 ($53.29) during weekdays and SR250 at weekends.
The space offers sunbeds, towels, access to changing rooms, and spa/gym facilities like the sauna. Dipping into the pool after some time in Riyadh’s hot sun will make you feel like you have taken a mini vacation during the busy work week.
The staff are extremely friendly and cater to your every need.
This price package also includes breakfast, served at their Goji Kitchen. The selection itself is unlike any other, ranging from the traditional breakfast buffet offerings like an egg bar, mezze dishes, and fresh pastries to more unusual breakfast dishes like a ramen bar and club sandwiches.
The buffet itself is worth the visit, served until 11 a.m., and we recommend you do not miss out on the pancakes.
What is inconvenient, however, is that the restaurant is quite a walk from where the pool is located, so one has to make sure to plan for an early or late breakfast in order to keep your lounge time continuous.
The pool is fairly quiet during the week, but it should be noted that it gets quite busy at weekends.
As fans gear up to watch the World Cup, this is a great place to stay tuned while also getting some sun. The pool area offers a giant screen for viewing, and you can even extend your stay until the evening to catch the later games by booking a table at the 10:10 lounge.
No reservation is needed to access the Marriott Riyadh’s pool, which is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
