Designer David T’Kint was tapped by Riyad Capital to transform the Burj Rafal hotel into the first luxury JW Marriott destination on King Fahd Road in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “The approach taken is one of tranquility and soft spoken, understated luxury,” T’Kint says. “This property is all about approachable luxury, an environment that does not make guests uncomfortable. With a space which reflects nature one has to feel in harmony.”
The first phase of renovations on the 66-floor structure, completed in 2022, focused on the development of public spaces. The second phase of the conversion will include the hotel’s 349 guestrooms, meeting and conference facilities, and more.
With organic lines and soft expressions of windblown deserts, the JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh reflects the region’s charm through an earthy palette that includes perforated green hues reminiscent of nourished landscapes. Green elements throughout the 349-room property serve to immerse guests in a setting of tranquility. Plaster further reinforces the influence of the desert, offset by the blue and green notes of the fabrics and rugs.
A chandelier comprising small crystals recalls a starry sky in the triple-height lobby, which frames views of the landscaped outdoor water features via a glazed façade. The space is also anchored by a textured and backlit reception desk set upon marble flooring.
Nearby, the Capital Lounge invites guests to unwind over tea in an opulent space outfitted with tiled counters and walnut walls. The all-day eatery known as the Kitchen on 3 serves as the nucleus of the hotel, seamlessly reinterpreting traditional gastronomic traditions through a contemporary lens.
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