The Red Palace in Riyadh to Be Converted Into Ultra-Luxury Hotel

The Red Palace in Riyadh is undergoing a transformation.

In 2025, it will re-open as an ultra-luxury boutique hotel, care of the hospitality company, Boutique Group. It will be the world’s first high-end accomodation that was once a former royal residence.

Tourism and historical preservation in one

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), a sovereign wealth fund, fully owns the Boutique Group. The PIF is used to invest in fund key projects for the kingdom’s economic transformation and diversification.

The conversion into a hotel underscores the Saudi government’s goal of boosting tourism and diversifying its economy from petroleum. By 2030, it hopes to attract 150 million visitors annually, with a budget of USD 800 billion (SAR 3 billion) for tourism.

The transformation project also serves as a historical preservation undertaking. This is because the Red Palace marked the era before Saudi Arabia became one of the world’s leading oil producers.

It was in 1942 when King Abdulaziz Al Saud, the second monarch of Saudi Arabia, ordered the palace’s construction. The structure spans 3.6 hectares, featuring art déco-style architecture.

What guests can expect at the Red Palace Hotel

By the time the Red Palace re-opens as a hotel in 2025, 70 rooms will be available to staying guests. With its rich history, guests will get to experience a taste of the Saud family’s lifestyle, such as their favorite dishes. Even the King’s favorite scent—that of the native Taif rose—will be spritzed throughout the hotel.

To further add to the experience, staff will wear modern versions of traditional Saudi attire. They will also be undergoing training under Sommet Education, a Swiss hospitality management educator.

Spa treatments will make use of black seeds, known for their beautifying and immunity-enhancing properties.

Meanwhile, items of historical interest such as early editions of the SAR 100 banknote will fill a heritage lounge.

On top of all this, a dedicated palace host will tend to guests’ requests.

The Red Palace royal treatment

Mark De Cocinis, Boutique Group chief executive officer, spoke about the hotel’s “royal treatment” offering.

“It’s the experience of being treated like royalty, where everything is taken care of for you down to every detail,” he said. “Even more so, it’s about the history and the culture, about living through the story of kings, families, and guests they entertained.”

“There is really no limit. As long as it’s moral and ethical, we’ll do it.”

“What we are doing, we don’t have anything to compare to. We are providing the location, the palace, the history, the culture, and also the exclusivity of that service in Saudi Arabia.”

Apart from the Red Palace, the Boutique Group is also in the process of developing other palaces into luxury resorts. These include the Al Hamra Palace in Jeddah and the Tuwaiq Palace in Riyadh.

Photo from X/Aedas