The Middle East is a fascinating place that is home to thousands of years of human history. That's why the area is still a popular tourist destination despite the seemingly constant political unrest. I've always wanted to visit, and after I saw a recent ad for Saudi Arabia hotels in a travel brochure, the desire is stronger than ever. While the holy cities of Makkah (Mecca) and Madinah are out since I'm not Muslim, I can still visit the capital city Riyadh, as well as some places by the Red Sea.
I think the key to having a good trip is finding some centrally located Saudi Arabia hotels to stay at that will make getting around a bit easier. Since I know nothing of the country or its layout, I'm going to have to study a few maps before I actually make my reservations. Plus, I'll need to plan at least a provisional itinerary so I have some idea of which areas would be convenient to stay in. And from what I understand, it's not as though Saudi Arabia hotels are as plentiful as public lodgings in other countries, so my choices will likely be limited right from the start.
Although the country is making a concerted effort to open up its borders to more tourists than ever before, there are still a ton of rules and regulations for visitors to follow. I better read through the various guidelines very carefully to make sure that I don't inadvertently break the law. For instance, some Saudi Arabia hotels probably have rules about women staying alone or with unmarried couples sharing a room. I know that sounds kind of harsh by Western standards, but it's a completely different country and culture, so the only thing to do is respect the rules.
Anyway, after looking at some travel websites, I was able to compare prices and room amenities at a number of Saudi Arabia hotels. Since the kingdom is a major international business center, the top-tier accommodations are as luxurious as those you'd find anywhere else in the world. I don't really have to worry about rooms at those places, however, as they're way, way out of my league in terms of price. I was happy to see that familiar chains have made their way into the country, so I can book a room at the Marriott, Radisson, Hyatt, Sheraton, or even Holiday Inn if I want to. Of course there are many native Saudi Arabia hotels as well, but I would probably fare better at a place that I'm somewhat familiar with.
I probably won't be able to afford this kind of trip for at least a couple of years. Still, it's nice to get some of the legwork out of the way as early as possible so I can figure out what kind of obstacles I'm up against. At least now I know booking Saudi Arabia hotels shouldn't be a problem!
6:54 AM