W Hotels has opened its first property in Saudi Arabia at Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District. W Riyadh – KAFD has 210 rooms and suites, along with restaurants, wellness facilities and event spaces designed for both hotel guests and local visitors.
LW Design created the interiors around references to Saudi culture and the surrounding landscape. Najdi textiles and Al Sadu weaving patterns appear throughout the hotel, alongside stone, veined marble and layered fabrics inspired by the country’s deserts and mountains.
A large lobby sets the tone on arrival, combining open social areas with quieter corners for dining and conversation. Saudi artist Abdulnasser Gharem created a six-metre tapestry for the space. His work also appears in the guestrooms through Arabic and English typography artwork.
The W Lounge continues the local references through circular banquettes and sunken tables. Their arrangement draws inspiration from traditional Bedouin gathering spaces built around a central fire.
Accommodation includes 17 suites, two penthouse suites and the 390-square-metre W Penthouse. The largest option has two bedrooms, separate living and dining areas, a kitchenette and an office. It also includes a private gym area with steam and sauna facilities.
Dining begins with Sira, where Latin American-inspired dishes are cooked over an open fire. Beni serves specialty coffee and artisanal ice cream, while WET Deck offers Mediterranean food, private cabanas and poolside seating. Outdoor lounge Sahari is expected to open later.
AWAY Spa and a 24-hour FIT gym cover the wellness side of the hotel. Events can be held across 15 flexible meeting rooms and a ballroom.
For W Hotels, the Riyadh opening is a significant Middle East debut. It brings the brand’s social, style-focused identity into Saudi Arabia while grounding the design in local culture with a polished local energy.