Facing King Fahd Street and Olayya Street Riyadh’s largest thoroughfares, the third tallest building in the city centre Al Faisaliah Tower attracts some attention as it was the first tower to rise into the sky over Riyadh and changed the sky line of the city for ever. With an impressive 267 meter height, the sleek tower gleaming in the sun during the day and all lit up at night can be seen from any part of the town. The construction of the tower definitely added a touch of excitement to an otherwise drab cityscape.
Part of the Al Faisaliah Complex, the tower can only be described in superlatives. A large five star hotel takes up some of the space while thirty floors are set aside for offices, 100 luxury apartments, a three level shopping mall, a huge underground column free banqueting space for 4,000 guests and parking for 1,700 cars occupy the rest. The lobby is decorated with a fabulous 265 foot high, 79 foot wide stained glass window, the largest such artwork ever created. The three storey geodesic golden globe atop the tower with 655 glass panels is the most impressive part of the building and the highest restaurant in the country. The views from the restaurant are some of the best of the surrounding area. The observation gallery under the globe also offers fabulous panoramic views of the city and this where many people go to enjoy the many moods of the city at different times of day. High powered lifts whisk visitors up and down in a jiffy. The highest point of the tower is the needle sharp point above the globe which holds aloft a crescent.
The exterior of the building features anodized aluminium cladding, cantilevered sun shades to check the glare and non reflective energy efficient glass.
Located in the tallest, most prominent building in the city, just steps away from the main entrance to the Grand Mosque and the Kaaba, Raffles Makkah Palace is advantageously located to serve the many devotees, business clients and families that throng the city throughout the year. This prominent Makkah hotel offers spacious, comfortable suites sensitively appointed to deal with the requirements of visitors to the city, restaurants serving authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, business services augmented by modern facilities and a spa with relaxing treatments. Stay at one of well known Makkah hotels to experience the finest hospitality in the city.
Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.
