Saudi Gazette

Less than a year post its official opening; Assila hotel has successfully earned itself a spot among the top hotels in the city. Rocco Forte Hotels’ settled down in Jeddah’s most popular shopping and business district and has confirmed its reputation as a crowd-puller by becoming a new local favorite.

Assila is a refreshing change that has helped the suffering hospitality standards, by introducing efficiency and healthy competition, which everyone is now paying attention to. Olga Polizzi and Martin Brudnizki have graciously married local and European architecture in a beautiful ceremony reflected by the hotel interiors, which also embraces Saudi culture and ideals. Art plays a significant role in the hotel’s architecture giving it character and a voice to the burgeoning Saudi art scene. The reception welcomes you with distinctively bold pieces of art suspended on walls along with pictures recording decades of Saudi history.

The contemporary five-star hotel showcases 2000 pieces of original works by Saudi artists and is a popular dining destination for families with five authentic restaurants.

With two stunning towers facing Tahlia Street’s busy shopping district, Assila hotel consists of 147 rooms and 63 suites adjacent to its 94 fully serviced residential suites tower. Ideal for families on a staycation, the two-bedroom, 175 square meters ‘Residential Suite’ apartment is a great choice. Although staff and operations need to pick up the pace because room service can be painfully slow when waiting for a simple order placed 30 minutes ago. The contemporary apartment with views of the city comes with a fully equipped kitchen, dining area for the family and friends and a spacious living room also has a workstation for those who’d like to work from within the comfort of their suite. Ceiling to floor windows allow natural sunlight to flood the rooms and embrace you with warm enthusiasm. The fully serviced apartments give guests all the facilities provided to hotel guests.

“Sir Rocco Forte and his family run the hotel and every member played a role in the hotels they have. They are so involved in each hotel and even the design. Olga Polizzi and Martin Brudnizki designed the interiors and made sure they included local culture in décor,” Cherine Hamdan Marketing and Communications Manager at Assila Hotel told Saudi Gazette.

Al Issa and Forte families work together to present both Arab and European principles, she explained. “We have great facilities for men and women. Women have a spa with a salon and gym along with squash courts they can book for themselves for just SR 80 an hour. Men have their own sports lounge, barber and salon facilities. They can either join as members or use them while staying at the hotel,” Hamdan added.

Rocco Forte Health also offers an integrated approach to wellbeing with five health-focused programs: Fit, Slim, Detox, Anti-age and Relax. You can also spend a day by their 25 meters long rooftop pool with a poolside lounge with refreshments and snacks.

Assila Hotel offers a wide range of dining destinations designed by Lydia Forte. It has two dining destinations that are open 24 hours including Il Caffé coffee lounge and their fine dining restaurant Twenty Four. Traditional Arabic mezze, coffee, desserts and shisha are also served on the terrace overlooking the stunning Tahlia Street. Pampas, the first Argentinean restaurant in Jeddah, is an all rounder and must visit during your stay. Pampas is open to all looking for an excuse to celebrate an occasion or their love for food. Mediterranean delicacies to mouth-watering steaks and a never-ending buffet tease the senses and satisfy those deep cravings. Using a contrast of dark wood and leather against a rich mahogany backdrop, the restaurant is adorned with stunning chandeliers that create a dreamlike setting. Executive Chef Maurizio Panicali who overlooks all operations at the hotel told Saudi Gazette he enjoys the challenges and possibilities Assila has brought to the market. “We also have very ambitious and eager-to-learn Saudi women as part of the team. The young women helping us with restaurants and in the kitchen are doing a fabulous job. We recommend everyone to try our signature restaurants, they are unlike any other,” Chef Panicali told Saudi Gazette. Assila Hotel’s meeting spaces are designed for conferences and events with a ballroom that is quickly becoming popular and serves as a good excuse to hang out at the most chic place in town.

For more information or to make a residential suite reservation, call +966 12 231 9800