About this hotel
General information
Bab Samhan stands in Diriyah, next to At-Turaif, an 18th-century mud-brick district listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel follows the building traditions of the Najd: walls of clay and tamarisk wood, inner courtyards that bring shade, light and privacy, few outward-facing windows, triangular openings for air, carved wooden doors and quiet geometric ornament.
There are 134 rooms and suites, finished with adobe-textured walls, timber ceilings and handcrafted furniture. Dining leans on the cooking of the region: Taleed by Michael Mina pairs Saudi heritage with Mediterranean flavours, and the open-air Courtyard serves local drinks and seasonal treats each evening. Nafel Alwadi Spa offers hammam rituals and an indoor pool, and once a week guests are taken on a complimentary walk to Bujairi Terrace and At-Turaif, with visits to its museums.
Location
The hotel lies in Diriyah, close to Wadi Hanifa and a short drive from Riyadh. At-Turaif is within walking distance, the Bujairi Terrace dining quarter is just across the way, and the Al Zallal shopping and dining area is nearby. Riyadh’s international airport is about 40 km away; the hotel runs no shuttle, so guests arrive by car or pre-booked taxi. Self-parking and valet parking are complimentary.
Spa
Nafel Alwadi Spa takes its name from the hardy nafel plant of the desert; it is open daily from 6am to 10pm, with treatments by appointment. Facilities include a steam room, a hammam and a heated indoor pool, and treatments use Omorovicza products from Hungary. The signatures are the Pearl & Rose Oud Hammam Journey — cleanse and steam, kessa-glove exfoliation, scrub, wrap and hair cleanse — and The Jewels of Saudi Arabia, a body wrap followed by a massage with gold-plated hot stones and a rose-oud aroma. The menu also covers Blue Diamond and Queen facials, bamboo massage, mud wraps and a dedicated range for men.
Sports & leisure
The fitness centre is open daily from 6am to 10pm and is complimentary for guests, with cardio and strength equipment, ellipticals and bikes, plus personal training and group classes. Swimming lessons are held in the heated indoor pool, and the spa runs aroma meditation and sound-bath sessions. Every Friday evening the hotel leads a complimentary walk to Bujairi Terrace and At-Turaif, taking in its museums; nearby are walking trails along Wadi Hanifa and the contemporary art space Diriyah Art Futures.
Restaurants & bars
The restaurants pair the cooking of the Najd with international dishes, and in-room dining runs around the clock:
- Taleed by Michael Mina — dinner of Saudi heritage and Hejazi-inspired dishes with Mediterranean flavours
- Medheef — market-style restaurant with an open kitchen, its own bakery and a buffet of dishes from around the world; breakfast is served here
- Samhan Lounge — lobby lounge with indoor and outdoor seating for Arabic coffee, drinks and light bites
- The Courtyard — open-air courtyard for dining under the stars, with Mediterranean, international and Saudi dishes; daily at 5pm it serves the house drink Luhuj Samhan of orange, carrot, lemon and rose water, and once a week hininy, a winter sweet of dates, butter and brown bread with saffron and cardamom
Swimming
There is no beach: the hotel has a heated indoor pool, open daily from 8am to 10pm, with towels and a lifeguard on duty. It is part of the spa’s wellness area and complimentary for guests.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Rooms
The 106 rooms and 28 suites are furnished in the Najdi tradition: textured adobe finishes, carved timber ceilings, handcrafted furniture, earthy tones and locally hand-dyed fabrics. Housekeeping comes twice a day, with an evening turndown.
Each room has a pillow-top bed with Frette linens, a sitting area with a sofa, a minibar, kettle and coffee maker, complimentary bottled water, a safe, Wi-Fi and TV, and a marble bathroom with bidet, lighted make-up mirror, hairdryer, robes and slippers.
Seffah
A light-filled room with Najdi décor and a sitting area; one king bed or two twin beds. Sleeps two.
Jal
A room with high ceilings, traditional-style furniture and a sitting area; one king bed. Sleeps two.
Asseb with Park View
A room in earthy tones looking out over the park; one king bed or two twin beds. Sleeps up to three.
Mesbah 1 Bedroom Suite
A suite with a king-bed sleeping area set apart from the living space by a partition wall. Sleeps up to three.
Mesbah Grand Deluxe Suite
A larger suite with a king-bed sleeping area separated from the living room. Sleeps up to three.
Mesbah 1 Bedroom Duplex
A two-level suite with a living room and a bedroom with a king bed. Sleeps up to four.
Mesbah Suite
A suite with a living room, two bedrooms each with a queen bed and two bathrooms. Sleeps up to five.
Mesbah 2 Bedroom Suite
A suite with a living room, a king bedroom, a second bedroom with two twin beds, two bathrooms, a balcony and a terrace. Sleeps up to five.
Al Shurfat
The presidential suite, with a large living room, a king bedroom, two bathrooms and a balcony. Sleeps up to four.
Liwan Royal Suite
The largest suite: a spacious living room opening onto a private terrace, a king bedroom, a second bedroom with two twin beds and a pantry with a dishwasher. Sleeps up to five.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.