When the Riyadh summer heat rolls in, it’s time to make a splash at some of the city’s best pool days. Hotels including the luxurious Burj Rafal and Al Faisaliah Hotel are among those opening their doors to guests for the day at special access rates.
So grab a towel and check out these top pool day deals for women across the city. Before arriving, remember to ask about the dress code in advance as some places request that you cover your legs and head, so you may need to bring a swimming cap and leggings.
Al Faisaliah Hotel
One of Riyadh’s most recognisable hotels, Al Faisaliah offers non-guests an hourly rate for use of its separate women’s swimming and fitness facilities. As might be expected from such a high-end property, the 13-metre indoor pool goes above and beyond, with colourful lighting and a soothing fountain feature wall giving the space a chilled-out ambience with heated loungers and a vitality whirlpool. Access to the plunge pool, jacuzzi, Finnish-style sauna and steam room is included if you’re looking to make a day of it, and a visit to the tea lounge for post-swim refreshments is a must. Monthly membership is also available starting from SAR8,125 for three months – a bargain compared to the hourly rate if you’re planning on making regular visits.
Open daily 7am-11pm. SAR253 (hourly). King Fahad Road, Olaya, mandarinoriental.com (011 237 3000).
Burj Rafal
From the morning until the early afternoon, the pool at Riyadh’s glittering Burj Rafal is reserved for the ladies. Situated on the fifth floor of the 70-storey building – one of the city’s tallest – it’s a quiet and peaceful space to swim on the weekends considering that the majority of guests tend to be business travellers. The pool itself is of a reasonable size, with the sun loungers shaded by a giant cabana structure and a separate seating area offering a spot to relax in luxury between laps.
Open daily 9am-1pm. SAR150 (9am-1pm), SAR100 (boys 2-7 and girls 2-12). King Fahad Road, Exit 4, As Sahafah District (011 511 7777).
Al Manahil Fitness Center
Offering everything from a spa to a salon, sports facilities, ballet performances and nutrition workshops, the women-only Al Manahil Fitness Centre in the heart of the Diplomatic Quarter is the ultimate destination for a day of chill. Walk through the tree-lined paths of this expat favourite to find lap pools alongside tennis courts and tucked-away plunge areas. Then, if that’s not enough, top it all off with a signature treatment in one of the spa rooms. If you’re not a confident swimmer, courses are on offer for women and children at an additional cost. It’s worth noting that you must wear swimming caps, goggles and leggings over your costume to use the swimming facilities.
Open Sat-Thu 10am-11pm. SAR100 (day pass). Ibn Zahr Street, AL Safarat, Diplomatic Square (011 488 1069).
InterContinental Hotel
The indoor pool at Riyadh’s InterContinental Hotel – near to Olaya and the King Abdullah Financial District – is reserved for women only. Measuring in at just under 11 metres, it’s a compact space for swimming but is more than enough for a cooling dip. Make a day of it at one of the hotel’s restaurants, or book in for a spa treatment to relax to the max. Monthly memberships include benefits at the neighbouring Marriott Spa and are well worth the money for regular visitors.
Open daily, 6am-6pm. SAR300 (hourly), SAR500 (daily). Abdullah Alsahmi Street, Al Safarat, marriott.com (011 835 3000).
Luthan Hotel and Spa
The five-star Luthan Hotel and Spa is available exclusively for women, and is entirely focused on providing a luxurious, relaxing experience from the moment you check in. A stay at the property includes free bath soaks, mini massages and foot scrubs, plus access to group wellness classes and nutritionally balanced cuisine. But if you’re pressed for time and looking to slot in a quick visit, the hourly rate deal includes access to spa facilities such as thermal rooms and saunas, in addition to the indoor pool where no under-17s are allowed. Pure bliss.
Open Sat-Thu 11am-8pm. SAR150 (hourly). Al Hanka, Riyadh (011 480 7799).
