What is it? Jeddah's Qasr Al Sharq, developed by one of Saudi Arabia's numerous princes in partnership with the Hilton group, offers guests a chance to live like royalty.
So it's lavish? That's an understatement. Translating as the 'palace of the Orient', the 46-suite hotel is crowned with two 10,000 sq ft Qasr Al Sharq suites (right), each with sauna and gym.
About 60kg of gold leaf was used to decorate the hotel's ornate ceilings. In the entrance lobby hangs a massive Swarovski chandelier, boasting 600,000 crystals, set in 24-carat gold.
What are the rooms like? They are a little over-the-top but very comfortable. Balconies have views over the Red Sea while inside there are regal king-sized beds, flatscreen televisions and Bose sound systems. Eight royal suites feature dining rooms and spa baths.
What about facilities? The hotel has two restaurants; Bice serves traditional Italian fare while Mataam Al Sharq specialises in Middle Eastern cuisine. A ladies-only Clarins spa features Jeddah's only aquamedic pool, with water jets designed to massage and relax the body, while a gym and traditional hammam bath complement a swimming pool with retractable roof for men.
What's the bottom line? Rates range from GBP500 (HK$6,500) a night, twin share, for a junior suite, up to GBP8,000 per night for a Qasr Al Sharq suite, which sleeps four.