Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya

The food was excellent, from breakfast in the restaurant to the room service I tried. Everything tasted good, was presented cleanly, and seemed to use high-quality ingredients. I also really liked the evening Arabic coffee with dates. It was a small touch that gave the stay more character. Hyatt Regency Riyadh is a polished, well-kept business hotel with a professional team. My stay was nearly flawless, from check-in through checkout. The concierge was proactive, the room was comfortable and well maintained, and the business meeting setup was handled professionally. I couldn’t find anything to complain about, which is unusual on a work trip. The modern, elegant building sits on Olaya Road, in a central spot near most of the main commercial areas, so getting around was easy. It is next to a busy street, but that didn’t affect me on the 27th floor. The night view across the city lights was surreal and calm, a lovely way to end the day. I’d choose this hotel again for business in Riyadh.

Breakfast at 56th Avenue Diner was hearty, with generous portions. The fruit was fresh, and my omelette was cooked nicely. I really enjoyed the meal and it was a great start to the day. Thanks to Ericka and Shiela for looking after us, and kudos to Irfan for leading the team so well.

The spa fragrance was so overpowering that I had to cut my meditation short. I started getting a strong headache within ten minutes, and after the sauna and shower I could still taste the perfume in my mouth and throat. I was struggling to breathe, and my eyes were itchy and irritated. Even four hours later, the headache was still there. I visited the spa for a day after hearing lots of positive reviews, but the strong artificial scents in the sauna, jacuzzi, and relaxation areas raised serious health concerns for me. Lemongrass and another heavy perfume were being sprayed everywhere. Some people, myself included, are especially sensitive to synthetic fragrances, which can trigger headaches and allergy-like reactions. I’m also concerned about the serious risks often linked to these products, including respiratory problems, allergies, hormone disruption, and possible long-term risks such as cancer. People in the US, UK, and Europe are aware of these concerns, but awareness here seems limited. It’s disappointing that a hotel of this standard overlooks the issue. The hotel should stop using artificial fragrance sprays, or replace them with genuinely natural, non-toxic, organic alternatives. The heavy perfume smell was noticeable in the corridors and rooms too, and may affect guests’ health over time. I hope management reconsiders this for everyone’s comfort and well-being.

I came here specifically for the pool because I’m a professional athlete and swimming is my job. As soon as you enter the pool area, the smell and intensity of the chemicals in the air and water hit you. The bleach or disinfectant levels seem extremely high, and my eyes burned and breathing was affected. I had a similar problem in the jacuzzi. It felt okay while I was in it, but afterward my skin was extremely itchy all night. Excessive chemicals can strip the skin’s natural oils and cause severe dryness, sometimes with eczema-like symptoms. A spa should support well-being, not harm it. In Saudi Arabia, spa facilities should take special care with health and safety. Chlorine or bleach may kill bacteria, but too much can damage skin and overall health. It’s sad to see such a beautiful spa empty. From what I observed, the pool and jacuzzi are usually unused, likely because people feel uncomfortable or have health problems after using them. Guests avoid amenities that make their quality of life worse. My advice is to urgently review the spa’s health and safety rules and make sure the chemical levels are balanced and safe. With proper care, this place could attract more guests and serve as a real wellness and relaxation facility.