Where to stay in Saudi Arabia

Apartment hotels: Especially in the commercial centres of Dammam, Riyadh, and Jeddah, an excellent alternative to expensive hotels is a growing crop of long-term serviced apartments. These units, which feature kitchens, sitting rooms, and bedrooms, often include cleaning services, access to pools and exercise rooms, and sometimes even free parking.

Holiday villages: Popular with Saudi families, which can number in the dozens of family members, these holiday villages often feature amusement parks attached to facilities for sleeping.

Resorts: On the untouched waters of the Red Sea, north and south of the western city of Jeddah, there are a wide variety of resort amenities. Popular attractions of these (often five-star) accommodations include world-class diving, boating, and fishing.

Youth hostels: There are occasionally youth hostels across Saudi Arabia but most are male-only. If you are travelling with women, it is best to stay in a hotel.