American to Riyadh, safe?
 

I have some potential business in Riyadh later this month (November 2005), which could take me there for 2 days. I'm a blonde haired American investment banker from NY. I've not been to the Middle East before - but travel internationally extensively.

I know several people who have been there before, all of whom seem "mixed," at best, about going from a safety point of view. I would have a hired driver to meet me at the airport and take me everywhere, so I wouldn't be on mass transit or in taxis or the like.

Thoughts on my safety concerns?

Also, any hotel tips? I see FH+R has the Al Faisaliah Hotel in the program, which is managed by Rosewood (Dallas, TX based!). Any experiences with this property?

Appreciate your thoughts.

Does investment banking include risk analysis? There were 4,077 road fatalities in 1994 (the latest year for which I could find data). There was 1 terror attack targeted against foreigners in 2003, and zero since. Do the math.

book recommendation
 

While I can't comment on the original question, I'd recommend this book (Bradley, J.R.; Saudi Arabia Exposed) about Saudi Arabia:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...22259?v=glance

Bought it in Chicago last week for 22.95USD + tax.

Go, enjoy then come back and educate all the people who think Middle East is bad.

After the 3 hotel bombings in Amman, I would suggest staying away from hotels with American associated names.

I am currently in Riyadh for the first time ever. I am a northern European, blond at least for the locals. I tried to get all possible information from the net before going and was of course worried because of the first time, the bombings etc.

Well, so far so good. Most big hotels here have American brand names - and also very good security. Will report back when I get home.

Well I'm back from Riyadh, sound & safe. The impression is that it is very clean, reasonably efficient and that the people are mostly quite friendly. Being a blond foreigner you sure will stand out, of course, and people will give you curious looks. I think many people there admire Americans, but that said I still think you should keep a low profile. Since you have a driver you can trust, I'd think you will be fine - as an American you probably aren't used to walking around town anyway and as an investment banker you will probably not be wearing shorts ;) . A longer stay would be more depressing, at least for me, as life would probably be very restricted in every way.

Hope you enjoyed your trip to Riyadh... Sorry didn't see the thread before...

And to be honest it is not that bad at all. The Al-Khozama & Al Faisaliah are ok, but the Four Season is much more better....

Hotel?
 

I will be going to Riyadh next week for the first time. MY hotel options are Intercon or Four Seasons. I've picked IC as its close to the client, but is the FS considerably better?

My business associate say that taking taxis from the airport or around town are not a problem. He's a regular there, but I'm not sure for myself since I'll be going alone. Any views?

BTW, are visitors allowed to bring in a bottle of wine throgh Customs?

We had the hotel arrange all transportation. As regarding wine, it is definitely not allowed.

Do not even try to bring any alchohol. Alchohol is illegal in the Kingdom. That's not to day that it is absent, it's just not legal. Also do not even think about any type of illegal drugs. Saudi jails are not a place you ever want to see much less be incarcerated in.

If I were in your shoes I'd be more concerned about my safety in NY than in Riyadh ;)

IC is nice and since it is close to the client it should be much more convenient because the traffic can be a pain sometimes.

And yes taking taxis at the airprort is ok, but if you can arrange a pick up service from the hotel, go for it...

If you bring your laptop, please make sure you don't have pictures of women somewhere saved. Any picture of women without abbaya 'could' offend them.

And no wine or any kind of alcohol, same goes for pork... It is forbidden and illegal...

If you want some tips for sightseeing or what to do, let me know....

Zero since is not right. We had a few in 2004 and I am not going to count them all :(

But since 2004 we had a very normal -as normal as possible in SA- life.

So many pre-conceptions... the more people travel and say who well their trip went, the better it will be for everyone.

I had a fine trip to Jeddah last week, staying in both Westin and Marriott. Taxis were OK, for airport pick up though, I alwyas prefer to use hotel car as they wil wait for you if late at night and no need to queue in line at a cab rank.

Just wish the Saudi govt would spend more on infrastructure.. the airport at Jeddah is not one of the best in the world.

Oh and access to FlyerTalk online there was fine !