The advent of the holy month of Ramadan prompts many festive activities for the annual season.
Iftar and sahoor are part of the highlights of the month that are fondly cherished by all those who fast during this period.
Extensive arrangements are being made by hotels and restaurants in the capital to host people at iftar and sahoor during Ramadan.
This year, while the holy month falls during thick summer, Riyadh’s leading ultra-luxury hotel, Al Faisaliah, a Rosewood Hotel, promises guests cool comfort and convenience at iftars and suhoor.
In what has become a much anticipated annual tradition during the Ramadan, the hotel will transform the Prince Sultan Grand Hall (the largest column free space in the Kingdom) into splendid Arabesque surroundings of Fawanees to welcome guests to break the fast and relax in comfort and style.
“Al Faisaliah Hotel is honored to have established a tradition that resonates with our Riyadh community as strongly as Fawanees does. With a feast for the senses at every turn, Fawanees offers a spectacular setting for iftar, unrivalled personalised service and a range of gourmet cuisine that knows no match in the city,” said Alex Pichel, managing director of Al Faisaliah Hotel and Al Khozama Hotel in Riyadh.
The iftar menu created by the hotel’s celebrated chefs caters to every culinary taste and preference. Choices include the finest traditional Arabian fare — lentil soup and wide ranging tagines, whole hammour fillet sayadia with onion and pinenuts, and Saudi Arabia’s celebrated lamb kabsa, jareesh, mataziz, gorssan and marqouq, as well as an array of international dishes from almost every corner of the globe such as Alaskan king crab seasoned with curry leaves and beetroot chips, and tataki of hammour crusted with coriander and seaweed.
Live cooking stations offer the freshest and finest and a buffet selection that includes hot and cold mezze, salads, shawarmas, pasta and Arabic sweets ensures the most discerning palates will be satisfied.
For sahoor during Ramadan, the truly iconic landmark on Riyadh’s skyline and the “most prestigious fine dining destination in the Kingdom” — The Globe — will offer guests a setting and diverse gourmet cuisine, including the finest Arabic and international cuisines, from chicken tagines with lemon and olives to mixed grill with Omani lobster and shrimp.
Adding to the atmosphere of Ramadan, Al Faisaliah Hotel has partnered with renowned brands in the Kingdom to give away special surprise gifts to guests. Partners include SACO, Alo Car, Emirates Bank, General Electric, Al Argan, Archimedia, Rotana Khalijia, Rotana Magazine, and Sony.
“There is truly no better place to enjoy Ramadan in Riyadh than at Al Faisaliah Hotel. With wonderful settings, extensive iftar and sahoor menus, and prayer areas and children’s entertainment options, family and friends are guaranteed the finest Ramadan experience.”
“For groups from 10 to 1,600 people, Al Faisaliah Hotel continues to deliver an extraordinary Ramadan experience. We look forward to welcoming our guests and to enhancing their iftar and sahoor experiences this year,” said Alex Pichel.
Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh has earned the reputation of hosting Riyadh’s finest iftar and sahoor gatherings, and this year is no exception. Having the most exquisite Ramadan tent in the Kingdom’s capital annually, Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh lives up to its reputation with an extensive range of culinary delights at its tent and other outlets during the holy month. Since it opened in 2003, the property has garnered a status throughout the city and further afield for the excellence and sheer variety of its food.
“This year, the Ramadan Tent has been fully refurbished with stunning decorations and modern lighting in an innovative and stylish look, where it will maintain its reputation as the preferred destination for Ramadan festivities in Riyadh. With the widest range of cuisine offered this year, guests are guaranteed a gastronomic experience to remember. Our food and beverage team will continue to surprise even the most discerning of diners during Ramadan,” Greg Pirkle, general manager of the hotel said. This year, the opulent Kingdom Ballroom will be converted into Riyadh’s most resplendent Ramadan tent. Iftar will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The iftar buffet showcases the diverse talents of the Four Seasons chefs through the extensive range of Italian, Asian, Middle Eastern, and International dishes on offer. The hotel also introduced a special iftar offer for groups of 30 and above.
The Grill restaurant will be featuring a generous nightly buffet for sahoor, from 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. Guests can enjoy a suhoor buffet in a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere in a new tent by the poolside. The Grill offers Arabic and international inspired dishes, along with an assortment of savory dishes and tempting desserts, perfect for the final meal of the day.
The Elements Restaurant will pioneer a new iftar and suhoor dining concept focusing on live-action cooking stations, sections devoted to particular international cuisines, a generous salad buffet, and a pastry shop.
For guests who wish to experience more of Four Seasons Riyadh, the hotel has introduced a special Ramadan room offer, where guests can stay at a superior single room starting from SR 1,340 per night, including iftar at the Ramadan Tent or Elements Restaurant, or sahoor at Elements Restaurant or through In Room Dining, a special suhoor menu.
Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh’s diamond sponsors at the Ramadan Tent at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh include Turkish Airlines, Mohammad Yousuf Naghi Motors, Dar Al Hayat, Alam Al Safwa, Events AVP, Rotana Media Group, Interspazio, Al Badr Optical, Back Comfort, Al Argan, Al Homaidi, and Samsung.
Mohammed B. Turk finance and business support manager of Holiday Inn Olaya said the iftar program will be arranged at Farathi Hall, which could accommodate around 400 guests. The hall will be fully decorated with the Ramadan theme and the guests will be served with oriental buffet with a wide variety of cuisine with mouth-watering dishes.
Mohammed Nizam Meedin from the food and beverage department said: “Let Holiday Inn Olaya infuse your Ramadan celebrations with unparalleled style, immaculate service, and the spirit of generosity - and make the holy month one to truly remember.” He added that there will be a special play area for the children to spend their time following iftar. Five Star Al-Mashreq Hotel will offer international buffet for the guests during the iftar. “We have arranged a cosy place for the guests to break their fast in Ramadan atmosphere,” a hotel executive said. Al Mashreq Boutique Hotel, located in the heart of Riyadh — 10 minutes’ drive from Kingdom Tower and Al Mamlaka Mall — has an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center and a spa.
Saleem Massud, operations manager at the Marhaba Restaurant in the capital, told Arab News that his outlet would offer iftar free-of-charge to all guests and there will be nominal charge of SR 60 for the iftar buffet. The buffet would include Chinese and Indian food as well as special meals for kids.
F&B Director at the Riyadh Palace Hotel Mohammed Iqbal said the hotel is busy decorating the coffee shop and the pool area for the guests to break fast at the hotel in a comfortable environment. He said the hotel would serve Arabic and oriental dishes for iftar. He said the hotel would offer special package for groups of guests from corporate clients. The other hotels such as the Riyadh Marriott, InterContinental and the Ritz Carlton have made their own arrangements for the iftar and suhoor.
Hotels, restaurants gear up to host Ramadan guests
