Marriott International Initiates Construction for Ritz-Carlton in Diriyah, Set to Open in 2026
Marriott International is set to open a new Ritz-Carlton hotel in the historic town of Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, in 2026. The hotel will boast 195 rooms, including 34 luxury suites, a fine dining restaurant, and a casual dining option. Guests can also enjoy meeting spaces, outdoor pools, a spa, and a fitness center.
Group CEO of Diriyah Co., Jerry Inzerillo, highlighted the partnership with Marriott International will enhance guests' cultural experiences in Diriyah, sometimes called The City Of Earth. Children's activities and immersive programs will also be available.
Sandeep Walia, the COO of Marriott International for the Middle East, expressed excitement about the expansion in Diriyah, which is undergoing a massive $62.2 billion development just northwest of Riyadh. This initiative is in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 to reduce its economic reliance on oil.
Diriyah has been spotlighted by the Public Investment Fund as its fifth major project, following others such as the NEOM and the Red Sea Development Project. Additionally, new attractions like the Wadi Safar project, with its three luxury resorts, and the Royal Diriyah Golf Club will elevate tourism in the area. The latter is poised to be a world-class golf destination designed by Greg Norman, as stated by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Inzerillo emphasized that Wadi Safar aims to become one of the premier gathering places in the world.