The Marriott Diplomatic Quarter is…a property. I don’t know - I’m of mixed opinions. The room styling is really not my preference, but the breakfast is good. Regardless, the location doesn’t make a lot of sense for those who don’t have business in the Quarter. Here are my impressions and photos:

Pros:

• Bed is fine - plush mattress or mattress topper, plush enough pillows, covers weren’t thick but were okay for climate
• Had to ask - but no issue with late checkout
• Lounge is fine - evening service desserts (5:30 to 7:30) were pretty good
• Breakfast only served in restaurant and offered to Elites - very good for Riyadh - tasty barista coffees, good goat cheese omelet, good pancake with cinnamon, good mint chutney, friendly service

Neutral:

• Diplomatic Quarter has vehicle security checkpoints, so expect longer waits for rideshare
• AC never went below 23 on the thermostat - but room seemed cool enough generally (likely part of LEED Gold status)

Cons:

• Only upgraded to Concierge Level - online, Business Suites only listed as “1 Available” - but felt like I got an abnormally small room and not a fan of looking into interior courtyard (not private)
• Shower wasn’t great - took too long for hot water from the rainfall head - wand did heat up, but had a small coverage area
• Bathroom seemed to have wafts of bad smells occasionally (including before I ever used it)
• Not a fan of the sterile and cold room design
• Bad experience trying to get safe working - would put in a code, but bars would engage and then automatically reopen - no indication anyone came while I was in lounge - had to re-ask and then re-call to try to get someone (over an hour after initial request) - engineer that finally came was rather rude or gruff and seemed to think I was the issue even though I showed him the problem - after he typed 1234, it then worked for any code I put in

I probably wouldn’t come back.

Photos (please expand the Spoiler tag):