Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Nofa Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Resort
Desert safari lodge
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Opened
2018
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Resort Luxe WellnessOutside the door
The house
RadissonDesert safari lodge
The estate runs like an African game lodge in the Arabian sands, complete with guided wildlife drives and freshwater lakes.
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Guided game drives spot roaming giraffes and cheetahs across an expansive private reserve.
Notable
African-crafted thatched villas set in enclosed gardens feature private heated swimming pools.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Thatched-roof villas come with private gardens and pools, while open-air buggies shuttle guests past lakes, dunes, and roaming wildlife: zebras, giraffes, even golden tigers.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
In the desert sands along the Riyadh Makkah Highway, surrounded by private safari park grounds.
The rooms
Thatched-roof villas feature dark African timber and open onto enclosed gardens with their own heated swimming pools.
The pools
Bring a swimsuit.
An outdoor beach pool stretches beneath thatched pavilions, and an indoor vitality pool sits under a domed timber ceiling.
The hammam
Heated stone slabs and mosaic tiles line the Moroccan hammam, fitted with carved wash basins for traditional cleansing rituals.
The spa
Treatment suites run by Amani Spa look out onto sunlit courtyards through tall glass doors.
At the table
Poolside terraces serve stone-fired pizzas under the palms, and the lodge dining room arranges curved booths beneath slatted timber ceilings.
How it began
Prince Sultan Bin Saud Al Kabeer conceived the estate after visiting Mount Kenya, bringing African craftsmen to weave the thatch roofs.
Riyadh
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.