Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, February 2026 – Sofitel, the French luxury hospitality brand from Accor, recently announced the opening of Sofitel Riyadh Hotel and Convention Centre, marking the brand’s debut in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s capital. Strategically located in the prestigious Ar Rahmaniyyah neighbourhood, the hotel reflects the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030, contributing to the Kingdom’s transformation through world-class hospitality, international connectivity and the development of large-scale business and cultural events. The property features the largest luxury hotel convention centre in Riyadh, offering nearly 8,500 square metres of flexible event space, alongside 388 sophisticated rooms and suites.

The opening represents a significant milestone for Sofitel as it brings its signature blend of French elegance and local cultural inspiration to one of the Middle East’s most dynamic destinations. Only 35 minutes from King Khalid International Airport, with private transfers available, the property is also near iconic landmarks, including Kingdom Centre Tower, Kingdom Centre Mall, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Diriyah.

Where French Zest meets the spirit of a destination

Designed as a destination in its own right, Sofitel Riyadh offers an immersive luxury experience where French zest meets the heritage, creativity, and forward-looking spirit of Saudi Arabia. The launch comes at a time when Riyadh continues to expand its global presence, welcoming business leaders, international travellers, and cultural explorers alike.

The building’s architecture draws inspiration from the desert dunes and from the first Arabic letter of King Abdullah’s name, symbolizing continuity with the Kingdom’s heritage. With 388 sophisticated rooms and suites, the 5-star hotel provides the perfect combination of luxury and convenience.

Where ritual meets grandeur

Adding to the hotel’s sense of ritual and refinement is the Sofitel Candle Ritual, an evocative brand tradition inspired by the Parisian streets once illuminated daily by candlelight in the era of Louis XIV. Together with considered design details, the hotel creates a dialogue between cultures in which French elegance enhances, rather than overshadows, the local narrative.

In addition to establishing itself as a leading hub for business and events, Sofitel Riyadh is home to the largest luxury hotel Convention Centre in the city – the Princess Nouf International Convention Centre – offering nearly 8,500 square metres of flexible event space. With a grand ballroom, multiple breakout rooms, and state-of-the-art technology, the venue can welcome up to 4,000 guests, making it ideal for large-scale conferences, exhibitions, and prestigious social occasions.

Moving through the hotel, a hallmark of the Sofitel experience is its gastronomical artistry, and Sofitel Riyadh showcases a collection of distinct culinary venues that blend craftsmanship with cultural expression.

• Thu-rya, the signature restaurant, presents a contemporary interpretation of Lebanese cuisine.
• Zeline, the all-day dining venue, offers an elegant selection of international dishes.
• La Matinée provides a refined tea lounge atmosphere with fine teas and delicate pastries.
• Monsieur Boisé will soon open as a refined cigar lounge, offering an elevated experience with premium cigars expertly paired with curated beverages.
• Toi et Moi is a French Mediterranean brasserie that celebrates the art of convivial dining, where the elegance of French culinary heritage meets the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean

Not to be missed is La Haute Croissanterie, Sofitel’s globally recognised signature experience, delighting guests with freshly baked artisanal pastries and iconic French viennoiseries, a luxurious start to the day or indulgence at any hour.

For wellness seekers, Sofitel Spa, in partnership with Clarins, will soon offer a serene sanctuary of calm. Designed with dedicated facilities for both men and women, the spa features two indoor pools, two vitality pools, a modern Hammam, thermal facilities, and 12 treatment rooms, creating a holistic wellness journey.

Proudly standing as the first Clarins Spa in Riyadh, Spa and Wellness Director Mohamed Mahdawi has curated an expert-led treatment menu, including a collection of Signature and Luxury Spa experiences. These encompass Face and Body treatments using the spa’s primary product partner Clarins, alongside Hammam and Body rituals featuring Charme d’Orient, introducing the renowned French skincare brand’s holistic and hedonistic approach to wellbeing to the destination.

A new chapter in Sofitel’s global growth story

The opening of Sofitel Riyadh comes at a time of strong global momentum for the brand. Sofitel is currently undergoing a significant rejuvenation, with 33% of its global portfolio having been renovated and close to 40 new hotels planned to open in the coming years, reinforcing its position as a modern, culturally attuned luxury brand. This dynamic expansion reflects Sofitel’s commitment to evolving luxury hospitality while staying true to its French DNA.

Fadeel G. Wehbe, Managing Director of Sofitel Riyadh Hotel and Convention Centre, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome guests to our hotel . Riyadh is a vibrant metropolis at the forefront of cultural and economic transformation, and the hotel offers a front-row seat to this remarkable evolution. Combining Sofitel’s hallmark French zest with Riyadh’s rich traditions, we aim to provide guests with a space that is both inspiring and luxurious.”

Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems, added: “The Middle East is a strategic region for Sofitel, with Saudi Arabia at the heart of our development momentum. Sofitel Riyadh Convention Centre stands as a bold expression of our brand’s renewal and global vision, and as our first address in the capital, it perfectly embodies a culturally rooted, emotionally engaging luxury where French art de vivre meets the vibrant spirit of Riyadh. Today, Sofitel operates three hotels in the Kingdom – in Madinah, Al Khobar and Riyadh – with two additional properties in the pipeline, including Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah, set to become the largest Sofitel in the world. This growing footprint reflects our long-term confidence in Saudi Arabia and its role as a destination where culture, luxury, and international mobility converge.”

Aligned with the launch, Sofitel continues to strengthen its social and cultural engagement through the King Abdullah Humanitarian Foundation, supporting education, empowerment, and cultural initiatives in line with the brand’s philosophy of luxury with positive impact.

With its prime location, exceptional connectivity, and seamless blend of business, leisure, and culture, Sofitel Riyadh Hotel and Convention Centre sets a new benchmark for luxury hospitality in Saudi Arabia, welcoming travellers from around the world to experience Riyadh through a refined French lens.

IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of Kimpton Al Rowda Doha, a 283-key luxury lifestyle hotel situated in the heart of the capital. Slated to open mid-2026, the hotel will bring Kimpton’s signature blend of playful design, culinary innovation, and genuine service to Doha, creating a vibrant hub for authentic human connection.

The Kimpton brand, famed for pioneering the boutique hotel concept over four decades ago, has built a global community of design-led hotels renowned for heartfelt hospitality and immersive lifestyle experiences. Kimpton Al Rowda Doha, situated in a vibrant downtown area, will fully embody the brand’s distinctive human-centered character. The hotel’s prime location places guests just steps from the city’s major commercial hubs, cultural landmarks, and premier attractions, making it an ideal destination for both business and leisure travelers.

Kimpton Al Rowda Doha will feature meticulously curated guest rooms, suites, and apartments. The hotel will establish itself as a culinary hotspot with five distinct dining and lounge venues, featuring a destination rooftop bar with panoramic views. Reflecting Kimpton’s distinctive blend of expressive design, imaginative dining, and warm, human-centered hospitality, the hotel will serve as a dynamic social hub for both travelers and the local community, proudly welcoming furry companions as a pet-friendly destination in keeping with the Kimpton tradition.

Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, IHG Hotels & Resorts – India, Middle East & Africa, said: “Bringing the Kimpton brand to Doha is a milestone moment for IHG in the Middle East. Doha is a city of compelling contrasts, where timeless tradition meets bold ambition. Kimpton’s talent for weaving local narrative into intuitive, design-forward hospitality makes it the perfect brand for this dynamic location.”

He added: “With this conversion, we are reimagining a well-located property into a beacon of boutique luxury, offering the personalized, experience-rich stay that today’s discerning travelers seek.”

Sheikh Khalid Bin Jassim Al Thani commented: “We are proud to partner with IHG to bring the first Kimpton hotel to Qatar. The transition to the Kimpton brand aligns with our vision for this landmark property and with Doha’s own trajectory as a leading global destination.  Doha is firmly on the global map for luxury travel and lifestyle, and we look forward to transforming this prime property into a hotel that represents the avant-garde of boutique luxury hospitality in the region.”

As a leading global destination, Doha has seen sustained growth in international visitation, supported by world-class events, cultural investments like the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar, and its status as a major aviation hub. The city masterfully blends ancient tradition with avant-garde architecture and modern luxury.

This signing contributes to IHG’s growing luxury and lifestyle presence in the Middle East, where the Kimpton brand is on a significant growth trajectory. The brand continues to build momentum with the successful opening of Kimpton KAFD in Riyadh, and will soon extend to new markets with debut openings in Dubai later this year and Jeddah to follow.

IHG currently operates 8 hotels in Qatar across 5 brands including InterContinental, voco, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites.

This Valentine’s Day, Wagah Border invites couples to celebrate love through flavour with the launch of ISHQ-E-ZAIKA, a thoughtfully curated Valentine’s Set Menu that brings together romance, indulgence, and the richness of Indian cuisine.

Speaking about the Valentine’s offering, Nitin Makhijani, General Manager at Wagah Border, said, “ISHQ-E-ZAIKA is our way of celebrating love through food. At Wagah Border, we wanted to create a menu that feels warm, familiar, and indulgent; something couples can truly share and enjoy together. Valentine’s Day is about connection, and food has always been one of the most beautiful ways to bring people closer.”

Designed as a shared dining experience, ISHQ-E-ZAIKA takes guests on a culinary journey that balances classic favourites with comforting flavours. The experience begins with a vibrant selection of chaats and appetisers, including Papdi Chaat, Pani Puri, Samosa Chaat, Mix Vegetable Pakora, and warming Tomato Coriander and Chicken Shorba; setting the tone for an evening of indulgence.

The starters celebrate both vegetarian and non-vegetarian preferences, featuring Paneer Tikka, Hara Bhara Kebab, Chicken Malai Tikka, Mutton Seekh Kebab, and Lahori Macchi, all prepared with aromatic spices and traditional techniques.

For the main course, couples can choose from a selection of signature dishes such as Butter Chicken, Mutton Rogan Josh, Dal Makhni, Kadai Paneer, Vegetable Jalfrezi, and Vegetable or Chicken Biryani, served with accompaniments including naan, roti, jeera rice, pea pulao, raita, and pickle, offering comfort, variety, and balance on every plate.

The celebration concludes on a sweet note with Payar Ki Mithas, a dessert spread featuring Rasmalai-E-Mohabbat, Dil-E-Halwa, Gulab-E-Ishq Jamun, and a Strawberry Heart Cake, crafted specially to mark the occasion.

Available exclusively on 14 February, couples can enjoy the ISHQ-E-ZAIKA 4-course set menu at AED 199 per couple, inclusive of two sparkling pours, live entertainment, and a romantic dining experience from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM. For reservations and enquiries, guests can call 058 101 6706.

Set within the vibrant ambience of Wagah Border, the celebration promises an evening of heartfelt flavours, shared moments, and memorable dining.

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About Wagah Border

Wagah Border Dubai is a destination dining concept celebrating the spirit of Indo-Pak unity through food, music, and hospitality. With thoughtfully curated menus and themed culinary experiences, the restaurant brings together the best of both cultures in an atmosphere of warmth and community.