Design-led and proudly different, Kimpton KAFD Riyadh marks the brand’s long-awaited debut in the Middle East.
Riyadh has no shortage of luxury hotels, but few come with the personality and pedigree of Kimpton. The newly opened Kimpton KAFD Riyadh brings its globally loved boutique approach to the Middle East for the first time, landing in the Kingdom’s capital with all the flair and familiarity you’d expect from a name that has made its mark from New York to Tokyo.
Spread across 16 floors in the heart of the King Abdullah Financial District, the property offers 212 rooms and suites, each designed with comfort and character in mind. Expect skywalk access to the metro, in-room yoga mats, plush bedding, mini-bars that spotlight local flavours, and enviable skyline views.
The brand’s signature “Come as you are” philosophy is felt throughout, with a design that nods to local culture while remaining unmistakably Kimpton, offering laid-back luxury with just the right amount of edge.
Food is an integral part of the fabric here, and dining spans four distinct venues. Botanica brings a leafy, daylight-filled mood with an all-day menu designed for sharing. Ziya leans into glowing interiors and composed plates, from salads to sandwiches, balancing refinement with a relaxed sense of occasion. Kanza is a poolside hideaway that shifts from golden hour to moonlit calm, with a menu built for grazing. Vinyl Ember, the hotel’s sultry American speakeasy-style restaurant, places the grill at centre stage, where smoke, char and a well-curated playlist set an unhurried rhythm from early evening to late.
Beyond the plate, guests will find a sunlit outdoor pool deck with KAFD’s only rooftop pool. The 24-hour gym is filled with natural light and state-of-the-art equipment, while every room comes equipped with a yoga mat for a mindful start (or end) to your day. Whether you’re smashing out a HIIT session or winding down with some quiet stretching, the space supports all your movement moods.
Business travellers will find flexible meeting spaces with high-tech capabilities, warm service and artful touches that nod to Riyadh’s cultural heritage. And when it’s time to step out, you’re in one of the most exciting neighbourhoods in the city. KAFD’s pedestrian-friendly layout is buzzing with restaurants, retail, and public art, while landmarks like Riyadh Boulevard and Wadi Namar waterfall are just a short ride away.
“We’re incredibly proud of this game-changing property. We don’t see it as just opening another hotel, although it’s the first in KAFD. We’re excited to be drafting a new story in Riyadh’s future,” says Rabih Beaino, General Manager of Kimpton KAFD Riyadh. “We want every visit here to feel like you’re coming home to a new adventure. A comfortable and special place where our guests can feel free to be themselves, discover and share wonderful experiences they didn’t expect, and leave with memories they’ll want to relive again and again.”
Backed by IHG, Kimpton’s first property in the region will soon be joined by Kimpton Dubai, which will transform the former Crowne Plaza Business Bay into a boutique retreat just minutes from Dubai Mall.
GO: Visit www.ihg.com for more information.