RAFAL's Riyadh Retreat: Cozy Apartment Awaits!
RAFAL's Riyadh Retreat: Cozy Apartment Awaits!
RAFAL's Riyadh Retreat: Cozy Apartment Awaits! - A Review That (Hopefully) Doesn't Suck!
Okay, buckle up, because I just got back from RAFAL's Riyadh Retreat, and let me tell you, it's a trip. I'm not going to lie – I went in with some pretty specific needs (read: I'm a bit of a creature of comfort and, frankly, a germaphobe post-pandemic!). And, hey, I'm also a sucker for a good deal. So, was it the ultimate Riyadh staycation? Let's dive in, shall we?
Accessibility – The Good, The Maybe…and the Elevator (Thank God for the Elevator!)
Alright, let's start with the nitty-gritty. Accessibility is crucial these days, and I was happy to see RAFAL had some serious effort going on. They list "Facilities for disabled guests," and I saw the elevator, which is a huge win for anyone not wanting to huff and puff up multiple flights (like me!). They've got, well, listed amenities, but whether or not they are actually accessible to the extent of one's needs, that is a whole different conversation, and I didn't need more than access to my room so I cannot definitively comment. But the basics are there, right?
Cleanliness and Safety – So Fresh and So Clean, Clean! (Mostly)
Okay, this is where RAFAL really shined for me. They’re playing the safety card hard. They’ve got the Anti-viral cleaning products (thank GOD!), Daily disinfection in common areas, Room sanitization (you can opt-out, but why would you?), and even Rooms sanitized between stays. I swear, I walked into my apartment and I could almost smell the sanitizer, but in a good way! Not the hospital, I-need-to-get-out-of-here kind of smell, but the "ahhh, clean" kind. The Staff trained in safety protocol and a Doctor/nurse on call is a huge plus. I'm a worrywart, okay? Seeing Hand sanitizer everywhere was a total win for my neurotic tendencies: Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, checked! They even have Individually-wrapped food options. They were really going the extra mile for cleanliness and safety, that's for sure. And, you know what? It worked. I felt safe.
Now, a slight hiccup. One of the little things: I did notice a tiny, almost imperceptible dust bunny in a corner of the living room. I'm being super picky here. It was gone the next day. But! It’s a real-world hotel, not a perfect, pristine, magazine photo. It's lived-in, not untouched. So, yeah – 9.5/10 on the cleanliness front, just because there's always room for improvement, even with their Professional-grade sanitizing services.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Buffet of Choices (Literally!)
Breakfast! The most important meal, right? RAFAL delivers! The Breakfast [buffet] was pretty solid. They actually offer Asian breakfast and Western breakfast options, so everyone should be happy with something in the morning to help them get started. I'm a simple man: I love a good omelet, and they delivered. Plenty of coffee, too. The Breakfast takeaway service is great if you want a casual breakfast and head for the day without wasting time in the restaurant.
Restaurants, Coffee Shops and a Bar - oh my!
The poolside bar was a winner, and having Restaurants in the establishment is a godsend, as you might expect. The A la carte in restaurant gives you a chance to try new things, and the Coffee shop is the perfect place to grab a quick caffeine boost. The Happy hour provides a nice social experience and chance to let off some steam.
Room Service [24-hour] is a HUGE plus, essential for a creature of habit like me. I am a fan. Of course, it has the essentials that are there to serve the guests, although there might not be many extra options.
The Apartment Itself – Cozy? Oh, Yes. A Bit Too Cozy At Times? Maybe…
Let’s get to the core – the apartment. It is cozy. Like, maybe a little too cozy, depending on how attached you are to personal space. But it's well designed and efficiently laid out, with the Air conditioning blasting and a Blackout curtains for when I wanted to sleep in.
Available in all rooms :
- Additional toilet - useful, especially when sharing with others.
- Air conditioning - Very important in the Riyadh heat.
- Alarm clock - Basic necessities.
- Bathrobes - A nice touch of luxury.
- Bathroom phone - Not entirely sure why you'd need this, but it's there!
- Bathtub - Great for a relaxing soak, although I didn't use it.
- Blackout curtains - Essential for sleep.
- Carpeting - Fine.
- Closet - Plenty of storage.
- Coffee/tea maker - Another win for the coffee addicts.
- Complimentary tea - Nice touch!
- Daily housekeeping - My apartment was always spotless.
- Desk - Perfect for working (or pretending to).
- Extra long bed - Always a plus.
- Free bottled water - Another nice touch.
- Hair dryer - Essential.
- High floor - My apartment had a great view.
- In-room safe box - Necessary.
- Interconnecting room(s) available - Good for families or groups.
- Internet access – LAN - Well, okay.
- Internet access – wireless - And wireless too!
- Ironing facilities - Always appreciated.
- Laptop workspace - Handy.
- Linens - Clean and crisp.
- Mini bar - Could be better, but it's there.
- Mirror - Check.
- Non-smoking - Good.
- On-demand movies - Great for a night in.
- Private bathroom - Always a plus.
- Reading light - Yes.
- Refrigerator - Essential for keeping drinks cold.
- Safety/security feature - Several, including the safe box and the security in general;
- Satellite/cable channels - Lots of choice.
- Scale - Gotta keep an eye on the waistline!
- Seating area - Comfortable.
- Separate shower/bathtub - Nice.
- Shower - Fine.
- Slippers - A nice touch.
- Smoke detector - Safety first!
- Socket near the bed - Essential for charging phones.
- Sofa - Comfortable.
- Soundproofing - Quite effective.
- Telephone - Basic.
- Toiletries - Basic supplies.
- Towels - Plenty of fluffy towels.
- Umbrella - Good to have.
- Visual alarm - Excellent for the hearing impaired.
- Wake-up service - Useful if you need it.
- Wi-Fi [free] - Always a win!
- Window that opens - Allows fresh air.
It had everything you need: Air conditioning, coffee/tea maker, a desk, and a refrigerator. The Free Wi-Fi [free] was a must (and it actually worked!), and I loved the Satellite/cable channels for downtime. I'm a sucker for On-demand movies, and there was plenty to keep me entertained. The Daily housekeeping was also impeccable. The rooms are very comfy and good for a relaxing, refreshing getaway.
Things to Do (Besides Relaxing in Your Cozy Apartment)
RAFAL has that Swimming pool [outdoor] and Fitness center, which I didn't use, but they looked nice and inviting. If that's not your thing, there's the Spa/sauna for some relaxation. They do have a Gym/fitness, again I didn't use these, but they're there.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Make a Difference
Here’s where RAFAL truly shines. The Concierge was incredibly helpful. Need a Taxi service? Sorted. Laundry? No problem. Daily housekeeping? They're on it! They offer Cash withdrawal, a Convenience store, Currency exchange, Doorman, Elevator. The Contactless check-in/out saved me time. It's these little details that really bump up the experience.
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service
- **Family/child friendly
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't your perfectly manicured Instagram travel itinerary. This is the Rafal-Riyadh-and-Me-Being-Kind-Of-a-Mess itinerary. Get ready for a rollercoaster.
Rafal Apartment, Riyadh - The "I'm Here, Now What?" Edition
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Unboxing (and Immediate Regret About Packing That Heavy Coat)
- 14:00 - Airplane Landed, Reality Hits: Ugh, Riyadh. Dusty, enormous, and a bazillion degrees. The flight was a blur of screaming kids and my desperate attempts to sleep. My back feels like it aged 50 years on that plane. We're here. We're actually here.
- 15:00 - Taxi to Rafal (and Existential Dread): Okay, the taxi driver is a speed demon who also appears to be a part-time philosopher. He keeps pointing at the skyscrapers and murmuring things in Arabic I don't understand, but I think he's asking, "Why are you here?" Valid question, driver. Valid question.
- 15:30 - Rafal Apartment, The Reveal: The apartment is gorgeous. Modern. Chic. Ridiculously, air-conditioned. It's like stepping into a Vogue spread, and I, in my travel-wrinkled t-shirt, feel like a homeless person who accidentally wandered in. Pretty sure I've already dropped crumbs everywhere.
- 16:00 - The Great Unpacking & Immediate Panic: So I thought I was prepared. Nope. I forgot all my adapters (classic me). And, oh sweet lord, I brought a heavy wool coat. Riyadh in April? My brain is clearly malfunctioning. I'm already sweating.
- 17:00 - Finding the Internet (and My Sanity): Finally figured out the Wi-Fi. Thank God. Now to find out the best place near me, and what to eat.
- 18:00 - Grocery Store Adventure (and the Quest for Water): Walking to the grocery store. What a mistake. It is hot. I felt like a heat-stroke victim after only 15 minutes walk. Got some water, but I can't find anything that I know what it is.
- 19:00 - Dinner Disaster (and the Shame of Ordering Takeout): Fine dining at the apartment seemed like the plan. Now my refrigerator is empty. I could order from the place across the street, but I still didn't understand what to order. So I ordered fried chicken, and now I'm eating alone in my perfectly lovely apartment, feeling both utterly useless and oddly content.
Day 2: History, Hyperspace, and My First Souk Fail
- 09:00 - Attempted Breakfast (and the Coffee Crisis): Brewed some instant coffee I found in a cabinet (it tasted like burnt tires). Need. Real. Coffee.
- 10:00 - Visiting the National Museum: The driver arrives late, and seems annoyed. The museum is fascinating. The scale of everything is just mind-blowing. My head is still reeling from the history.
- 12:00 - Lunch at a Local Restaurant (and the Language Barrier): Found a tiny, bustling place that I think is authentic. Ordering was a chaotic combination of pointing, gesturing, and hoping for the best. Ate… something. It was delicious, mysterious, and I'm pretty sure I'm allergic to something.
- 14:00 - Visit the Sky Bridge: This place is high. I am definitely scared of heights. But the view is worth it, and really puts everything into scale.
- 16:00 - Souk Shopping Spree (and the Haggling Horror): Headed to Souk Al Thumairi. The smells! The colors! The vendors aggressively trying to get me to buy things I don’t need! I tried to haggle on a scarf, completely butchered it, and probably got completely ripped off. Still, the scarf is pretty, and the chaos was exhilarating, even if very overwhelming. It's a sensory overload in the best possible way.
- 18:00 - Coffee and Reflection (and the Deep Fried Doughnut Debacle): Found an amazing cafe with a delicious iced coffee. Tried a local dessert. I'm pretty sure the doughnuts were deep-fried in the same oil as the other food.
Day 3: Desert Dreams (and the Sand-in-My-Everything Experience)
- 08:00 - Desert Safari Prep (and the Sunscreen Debacle): After a lovely sleep, I woke up excited for my desert safari. Sunscreen! Check. Water! Check. Hat! Check.
- 10:00 - Sahara desert journey starts. The views and the sand is breathtaking, but there is a serious problem. My contact lens came out and I could not see anything.
- 11:00 - Riding in a Land Cruiser: My driver is very friendly. He is blasting Arabic music and I feel like I am on a movie. I have never seen this desert experience from my life.
- 12:00 - Camel Ride (and the Fear of Falling Off): Okay, I've always wanted to ride a camel. This is both majestic and terrifying. I'm pretty sure I look like I'm about to fall off the entire time.
- 13:00 - Sandboarding! (and the Shame of Tumbling Down): I'm no expert. I was not prepared. I'm pretty sure I spent more time face-planting in the sand than actually sandboarding. But the laughter was infectious, and the feeling of sand everywhere is something to behold.
- 14:00 - Sunset Views and Bedoin Camp: The sunset over the desert is unbelievably gorgeous. Had some traditional food, met some lovely people and got a henna tattoo.
Day 4: Adios, Riyadh (and the Sadness of Leaving)
- 09:00 - Coffee & Reflections: One last coffee on my balcony. Thinking that I will never see this place again.
- 10:00 - Last Minute Shopping: Went to the nearest mall and buy souvenirs.
- 11:00 - Packing & Pre-Flight Meltdown: My luggage is a disaster area. How did I accumulate this much stuff in four days?! I'm pretty sure the coat is still there.
- 12:00 - Airport Chaos & Security Frustration: The airport is a maze. Security is a test of patience. I am convinced I've lost my phone.
- 16:00 - Reflection. I was very tired. I am still smiling. I am definitely going back.
Postscript: Feelings, Faults, and Future Plans
Riyadh. It's a city that's complicated. It’s beautiful and difficult and strange, and I’m so glad I came. I didn't see everything, I fumbled my way through a lot of things, and I definitely ate something I shouldn't have. But I learned, laughed, and embraced the chaos. And next time? Next time, I’m bringing an adapter. I'm also considering bringing a friend cause it would be a totally different experience. Until then, Rafal, you've been a blast. And I'll definitely be back.
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RAFAL's Riyadh Retreat: Cozy Apartment Awaits! - Ask Me Anything (Seriously, Ask!)
So, RAFAL's Riyadh Retreat... Sounds fancy. What's the *actual* deal?
Alright, alright, settle down. "Retreat" is, let's be honest, a bit of a marketing puff-up. It’s basically a cozy apartment in Riyadh. And when I say cozy, I mean... well, it's not a palace. But it's mine for a bit, and that’s kinda the point, right? It’s a fully furnished apartment, probably with more beige than I’m used to (seriously, is beige the national color of... everything in Riyadh?). Think comfy sofas, maybe a slightly dodgy TV (fingers crossed for Netflix), and a kitchen you can *probably* cook in without setting off the smoke alarm.
The real deal? It's about having a comfortable space to breathe, especially if you're on a longer stay. Not a five-star experience, more like… seven-star relaxation potential, if you bring your own snacks.
What are the absolute *must-knows* about the apartment itself? Like, what's the Wi-Fi situation? Because… priorities, people.
Okay, Wi-Fi. Bless. The most crucial question. Look, I *hope* it's decent. I'm assuming it's… well, it *should* be fast enough for streaming. I'll be honest, last time I asked about a place, they swore the internet was "blazing." It was, in fact, a flickering dial-up connection that tortured me for three days. (I'm still having therapy.)
But RAFAL, at least *claims* its modern. They've got a website. They haven't completely lost the plot, I think. So, tentatively, I’d say “yes," there’s Wi-Fi, and *hopefully* it’s usable. I'll report back. And if it's not? Then prepare for a social media meltdown of epic proportions. I might even dedicate a whole blog post to the tragedy of slow internet.
Beyond that, the apartment *allegedly* has air conditioning, a laundry machine (PRAISE!), and the usual suspects. The details are… a little fuzzy, because well, I haven’t seen it yet. I'm getting the keys soon, and the suspense is KILLING me.
Location, location, location! Where is this "retreat" actually *located*? And is it near any… decent coffee shops?
Okay, the location is in Riyadh. I know, groundbreaking, right? (Sorry, the sarcasm is just my way of coping with the unknown. I'm a creature of habit, okay?). I haven't been given the *exact* address yet. They're keeping things a little hush-hush. Maybe they're afraid I’ll show up a week early and start rearranging the furniture. Which is… not a bad plan, actually.
But I’m HOPING it’s in a decent part of town. Near… coffee. That's vital. My life, my happiness, hinges on caffeine and the proximity of caffeine delivery systems. I've done a little preemptive googling (because I'm *that* kind of person), and if it's near *this* particular café I found online… well, then we're talking jackpot. Amazing coffee, supposedly. And (big bonus!) they apparently have… wait for it… pastries.
So, yeah, location is key. I'll update you as soon as I'm caffeinated, and therefore capable of stringing together coherent sentences.
Is it noisy? I need peace and quiet to, you know, actually *retreat*.
Ah, the million-dollar question. Noise. It can make or break a stay. I can handle a little background hubbub (I’m a city person, after all), but nothing that’ll have me throwing pillows at the walls at 3 AM because of… a rogue car alarm, or (God forbid) construction. Construction at 3 AM? That’s my nightmare.
Honestly, I don’t *know* how noisy it is yet. I'm hoping for a serene oasis of calm. I’m picturing gentle breezes, the sound of distant… maybe prayer calls? (I’ll have to get used to these, I think.)
I'll be honest, I'm a light sleeper. Anything can wake me up. Even a particularly vigorous leaf falling from a tree. So, if it's noisy, I'm going to need earplugs. And maybe a white noise machine. And probably a whole lot of therapy sessions. Wish me luck!
What about… local food? Where can I find some decent eats?
Okay, food. Food is a *priority*. I'm a big fan of eating, especially when someone else is doing the cooking. (Don’t judge! I’m a terrible cook.). I’m hoping for some amazing authentic Riyadh food. I've done a bit of research (again, preemptive, because I'm a planner. And also because I’m hungry.)
The good news? Riyadh is supposed to be a food lover's paradise! But finding the *right* spots takes some skill. I'm gonna need to figure out the local recommendations! Think: delicious kebabs, maybe some lamb, and… oh god, I hope there's good hummus. I'm a hummus addict.
The plan? Explore! Wander! Eat everything! (Within reason, of course. I have a self-preservation instinct, to some degree.) I'm going to be asking the locals, of course. And I will share my culinary adventures. Expect photos. And probably a few food-related meltdowns when something is *too* delicious (that’s a good thing).
Is there any sort of… guidance or assistance available? Like, someone to help me not get hopelessly lost, or… I dunno, understand the local customs?
Guidance? Assistance? Please, yes! I'm not entirely hopeless, but I'm not exactly the world's best navigator either. I'm hoping there's someone at RAFAL who is available to, you know, actually help with getting settled. Like, if the air conditioner breaks at 3 AM (which, let's face it, is a distinct possibility), who do I call? If I can’t find the grocery store? If I accidentally stumble into a sandstorm and forget where I live?
I'm *hoping* there'll be someone who can help me with all that. I'm thinking a helpful guide, maybe. Maybe a local contact to assist, and not just a chatbot or something equally soulless. A real person who knows the area, and can give me tips on culture. Cultural faux pas, the best places to eat, and possibly the location of the nearest emergency chocolate supplier. (A necessity, in my opinion.) If thereFindelicious Hotels
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