Luxury Collection Hotel Opens in Saudi Arabian UNESCO Site

Updated: December 23, 2024, 9:14am CST

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First Hotel in Ancient Town of Diriyah
Booking Bab Samhan, A Luxury Collection Hotel
Final Thoughts

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Marriott has opened Bab Samhan, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah in Saudi Arabia. This hotel sits within one of the kingdom’s UNESCO world heritage sites on the outskirts of Riyadh, nestled into the birthplace of the modern Saudi state.

Let’s take a look at this resort and how to book it with Marriott Bonvoy points.

First Hotel in Ancient Town of Diriyah

Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah, has 134 guest rooms, including 23 suites.

The resort has 4 dining options, all highlighting Saudi Arabian and Middle Eastern cuisine. They are:

Wujar: A lobby lounge serving up tea and coffee
Jareed: The hotel’s signature restaurant offers traditional Najd fare using locally sourced ingredients
Taleed by Chef Micheal Mina: A restaurant serving classic Mediterranean dishes, headed up by a James Beard award-winning chef
Medheef: The resort’s all-day dining restaurant

Amenities include a spa, an indoor pool, a fitness center, 5 flexible spaces, and a ballroom.

Bab Samhan Room — A guest room at Bab Samhan, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah. Image Credit: Marriott

“It is a privilege to introduce Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah, in a destination that serves as a bridge to Saudi Arabia’s rich and storied past,” said Philipp Weghmann, vice president of The Luxury Collection. “The hotel’s authentic Najdi design and deeply immersive experiences embody The Luxury Collection’s dedication to preserving and celebrating cultural heritage.”

Marriott says Bab Samhan is the first hotel to open in Diriyah, a Saudi Arabian town just outside the capital of Riyadh and best known for its traditional, mud-brick architecture and its UNESCO World Heritage Site, At-Turaif.

Booking Bab Samhan, A Luxury Collection Hotel

Bab Samhan has officially opened for guests and is part of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. You’ll be able to earn and redeem points here, and with the high cash prices, we strongly recommend doing so.

Cash rates for a standard room start at around $650 per night for dates this spring.

Bab Samhan cash rates — Image Credit: Marriott

In contrast, using Marriott Bonvoy points for a stay is a steal. We’re seeing award nights starting as low as 43,000 points per night next spring. The low redemption means you can also apply a 50,000-point free night certificate.

Bab Sahman Award rates — Image Credit: Marriott

Hot Tip:

If you’re running low on Marriott Bonvoy points, don’t worry: They are some of the easiest hotel points to earn. Marriott offers several co-branded credit cards. All of them come with huge welcome bonuses and some form of elite status. You can also transfer American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, and Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Marriott at a 1:1 ratio.

Final Thoughts

Marriott loyalists looking for a hotel stay off the beaten path should be impressed by Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah. It’s the first hotel in the historic town and seamlessly integrates Diriyah’s architecture into the resort. Even better, it’s one of the most affordable (with points) Luxury Collection resorts out there!