Google review
Due to Formula 1 the prices were insane of course - 2677 SAR per night (stay Dec 4th-6th, 2021)! But the Holiday Inn Al Salam is only worth 10 % of that. Upon check-in they insisted on charging the credit card immediately and didn't accept a pre-authorization. Of course, because as soon as one has the full picture of the situation here, the only option is to leave immediately. Although paying immediately, it's not possible to get an invoice for that - only upon check-out.
According to the IHG app, the restaurant is operating. Upon arrival we had to find out that it's actually closed. They also claim they have laundry service, which they don't have. Printer in the business center is not working.
On the room service menu it states "All above prices are not subject to VAT 15%". However, they do charge the VAT on top of the prices in the menu. There are fresh juices on the menu - all they have are packed juices though. The food quality is very questionable as well. Unpacked straws were delivered with the food - so much about hygiene.
According to the information distributed upon check-in, there are three packages for breakfast (Arabic, American, Continental) to be chosen from the room service menu. The menu is only showing two options though (International, Oriental). The food was cold, and the delivered items were not as ordered (day 1: wrong tea, and no butter/jam; day 2: plain omelets instead of fried eggs, coffee instead of tea).
The hotel claims to have high speed Internet. Most pages as well as emails don't even load because of time outs. It was difficult to get a speed test reading, but eventually one in the morning returned a download rate of 0.28 Mbps and in the afternoon 0.23 Mbps.
About the room itself: In the shower there is no shelf whatsoever although there would be enough space to install something. One can only put the shower gel etc. onto the floor. The carpet looks filthy, the room is dirty and in bad condition. The AC is very loud, even on low fan setting.
It seems to be a smoking hotel. Smoke comes through the AC all the time. All items in my suitcase smell like cigarette smoke now.
Upon check-in, the reception took a copy of my address to update the invoice accordingly. However, upon check-out 2 days later the address was still not correct on the invoice.
The full 4 star experience - not! Their welcome paper says "we would like to ensure that your stay with us is comfortable and memorable". Well, memorable it was but not in a good way. I will definitely avoid this hotel in the future by any means possible.
Edit Jan 8th, 2022: The management replied and claimed that the Duty Manager will communicate with me soon. After 1 month nobody has contacted me yet. I think it's safe to say that this answer to my report was just to give the public the impression the hotel management cares.
