AL Muahidb Residence Al Takhasossi 5 - Economic

The location was good, and the bed was comfortable with clean linen. The cleaning staff were friendly, though there was no housekeeping at all during my five days. I also wasn't given a fresh coffee station, and was told the complimentary water with the hotel name on it cost 10 SAR per bottle. The room smelled of old cigarette smoke, and there was hammering at all hours, day and night. The bathroom wasn't very clean. The taps wouldn't switch to shower mode, and the bath plug wouldn't stay shut, so the tub drained faster than it filled and I couldn't really wash. The other guests seemed to be long-term renters. When I was leaving, an unpleasant front desk attendant made me go through an exit inspection before letting me go. Later I came back to find a Ministry of Tourism closure sticker on the front door.

My room had no window, and breakfast was dried out with very few choices. I tried it once and didn't go back. The worst part was finding a cockroach on the corner of the pillow where I'd been resting my head, after a long day of meetings. I told the staff that night, and they were friendly and promised a discount for the remaining days. They even came into my room and killed the roach. But the next day, the people who'd promised the discount had disappeared, and I couldn't reach them. The other staff were unfriendly, speaking in their language and giggling among themselves while I talked to them. I ended up paying full price for a room with cockroaches. It was horrible, and I wouldn't recommend it.

I've been to Riyadh several times, but this was my first booking at this hotel. The room was okay, though it needed proper cleaning and sanitizing. We came as a family and were given just one bath towel. Breakfast was a buffet, but it was mostly boiled eggs and sausage, with fruit and vegetables, and the presentation could have been better.

The location is the best part, with easy access to the main city centre. It's a really nice place to spend some leisure time with family, and the kids especially enjoyed the swimming pool.