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SAUDI ARABIA / DIRIYAH

Bab
Samhana Luxury Collection Hotel, DiriyahA night among earth-toned buildings that felt distinctly Arabian.

14 — 15 AUG, 2026 1 NIGHT

Earth-toned buildings and a green courtyard at Bab Samhan — A NAJDI COURTYARDBab Samhan / 2026.08

ABOUT THIS STAY

For the first time in the Middle East,
a distinctly Arabian feeling.

I spent a night at Bab Samhan in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. Its earth-toned passageways and courtyards reminded me of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.

Since coming to the Middle East, this was the first place that felt so distinctly Arabian to me. The architecture, and a breakfast where everything I tried was delicious, made this a memorable stay.

Hotel: Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah
Stay date: 2026.08.14 — 08.15 / 1 night
Location: Diriyah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Official website: Bab Samhan — Official website ↗

The hotel’s official website describes architecture inspired by the traditional Najdi style of central Saudi Arabia. Architecture on the official Marriott website ↗

Bab Samhan

Official Marriott website

Check rates on the official website

Bab Samhan, in photographs.THE PHOTO JOURNAL

23 PHOTOGRAPHS

Welcomed by earth-toned buildings.ARRIVAL

Entering the hotel, I noticed the earth-toned walls and patterned wooden doors. The sense of history reminded me of the Saudi pavilion at the Osaka Expo. The atmosphere of the buildings was a highlight of this stay.

01The entrance to Bab Samhan when I arrived.

02Flowers and geometric patterns in the lobby.

Passageways and courtyards to wander through.NAJDI ARCHITECTURE

Narrow passages between the buildings lead to open courtyards. Triangular openings, overhead shades, palm trees and greenery against earth-toned walls made me feel very much in the Middle East.

03A narrow passage between earth-toned walls.

05A courtyard with a water channel and shade.

06A path between palms and earth-toned buildings.

Local design details in the room, too.THE ROOM

The room shared the hotel’s warm colours. A wooden ceiling, triangular details behind the bed, a desk and a coffee corner carried local design touches into the smaller details.

07A room with a wooden ceiling and warm-coloured walls.

10Light falling on triangular wall details.

Details in the bathroom.BATHROOM

Marble in the shower and indirect lighting gave the bathroom a slightly different feel from the room, in subdued colours. BYREDO’s Le Chemin amenities were by the basin.

11A marble shower with indirect lighting.

A breakfast where everything tasted good.BREAKFAST

Everything I tried at breakfast was delicious. Bread, fruit and colourful small dishes filled the buffet. Along with the architecture, breakfast made this a satisfying overnight stay.

14Dishes arranged at the breakfast buffet.

18A breakfast plate with bread and salmon.

Lights coming on at dusk.DUSK & EVENING

As dusk turned to night, the sky deepened to blue and passageway lights illuminated the earth-toned walls. Warm lights shone beyond the palms, giving the hotel a different feel from the bright courtyards of daytime.

21A palm-lined passage in the last light of dusk.

23Shades and lighting inside the hotel at night.

Bab Samhan

For a stay among Diriyah’s earth-toned buildings, check room types, breakfast-inclusive rates and access.

Please check the official website for current rates, availability, and booking conditions.

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UNTIL THE NEXT CHECK-IN

Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah2026.08.14 — 08.15

Bab Samhana Luxury Collection Hotel, DiriyahA night among earth-toned buildings that felt distinctly Arabian.

For the first time in the Middle East,a distinctly Arabian feeling.