Taif sits at 1,879 metres above sea level in the Hejaz Mountains, roughly 100 kilometres east of Jeddah — and at least 15 degrees cooler than the Red Sea coast for most of the year. Known as Saudi Arabia’s unofficial summer capital and the City of Roses, it draws visitors with fragrant Damask rose farms, winding mountain roads, and a climate that makes the rest of western Saudi Arabia feel punishing by comparison. Whether you are passing through on a broader Saudi Arabia hotels itinerary or settling in for a proper highland escape, the right accommodation makes the difference between a pleasant trip and a memorable one. This guide covers the best hotels in Taif across every budget — from five-star properties with mountain panoramas to budget-friendly apartments that leave more riyals for rose oil and local honey.

Why Stay in Taif?

Most visitors to western Saudi Arabia gravitate toward Jeddah or Mecca. Taif offers something neither city can: altitude. At nearly 1,900 metres, summer temperatures average 25–30°C while Jeddah and Mecca push past 40°C. The city welcomed 3.6 million visitors in 2024 — a 9 percent increase year-on-year — and tourism spending hit SR 3.4 billion. With over 10,000 hotel rooms across 266 licensed establishments, the accommodation market has matured well beyond the handful of government guesthouses that served the city when Saudi kings used it as their summer court.

The appeal goes beyond climate. Taif’s annual Rose Festival (March–April) draws visitors to nearly 900 farms cultivating roughly one billion Damask roses each season. The Al Hada mountain road — a dramatic series of switchbacks visible from the famous cable car — ranks among the most scenic drives in the Kingdom. And Shubra Palace, built between 1905 and 1907 in a striking blend of Ottoman, Roman, and Hijazi styles, now serves as a regional museum. All of this sits within a two-hour drive of Jeddah, making Taif an easy extension of any Saudi Arabia travel itinerary.

Best Areas to Stay in Taif

Choosing where to base yourself in Taif depends on what you came for. The city divides roughly into three accommodation zones, each with a distinct character.

Central Taif (Downtown)

The practical choice. Downtown Taif puts you within walking distance of the traditional souks — where rose water, local honey, and dried fruit dominate the stalls — and close to Shubra Palace and Arruddaf Park. Hotels here tend to be mid-range chains and serviced apartments. If you plan to eat out, explore on foot, and treat the hotel as a base rather than a destination, central Taif is the right call. Best for: city exploration, souk access, restaurant variety.

Al Hada

Twelve kilometres from the city centre and roughly 2,500 metres above sea level, Al Hada is Taif’s mountain resort zone. The Al Hada cable car (teleferic) runs directly through this area, offering 15-minute rides across the escarpment with sweeping views. Le Méridien Al Hada sits opposite the cable car station. The area is cooler, quieter, and more scenic than downtown — but you will need a car to reach restaurants and attractions. Best for: mountain retreats, scenic views, cooler temperatures.

Al Shafa

Southwest of Taif at similar elevation to Al Hada, Al Shafa is the rose-growing heartland. The area is known for panoramic mountain views, agricultural terraces, and a more rural atmosphere. Accommodation here tends toward chalets and small resorts rather than international hotel brands — though two new IHG properties (a Holiday Inn & Suites Resort and a Staybridge Suites) are planned for the area. Best for: rose farms, nature, quiet seclusion.

Luxury Hotels in Taif

InterContinental Taif

The flagship luxury property in the city, the InterContinental occupies an elevated position in the Hejaz Mountains at 1,700 metres. It is the hotel most frequently recommended for business travellers and visiting dignitaries — the kind of place where the lobby smells of oud and the service runs on protocol.

Tip: IHG Rewards members can often find better rates booking direct through the IHG app. The hotel runs seasonal promotions during Ramadan and National Day that can drop rates below $200/night even for premium rooms.

Le Méridien Al Hada

If the InterContinental is Taif’s business hotel, Le Méridien Al Hada is its romantic mountain retreat. Set directly opposite the Al Hada cable car station, the property offers 111 rooms including 25 standalone villas — a format rare in Saudi hospitality outside of NEOM and The Red Sea resorts. The traditional Arab décor gives it a character that newer builds often lack, though some guests note the property could benefit from renovation.

The villa option makes Le Méridien Al Hada particularly compelling for families or groups. A three-bedroom villa with mountain views often costs less per person than two standard rooms at the InterContinental — and you get a private garden and separate living space. The cable car access is genuinely convenient: walk across the road, buy a ticket (approximately 84 SAR per person), and you are gliding over the Hejaz escarpment within minutes.

Awaliv International Hotel

A 266-room tower in central Taif, the Awaliv straddles the line between luxury and upper mid-range. Its most distinctive feature is a revolving restaurant on the 29th floor — one of the few in the Kingdom outside Riyadh — offering 360-degree views of the city and surrounding mountains.

Note: Several reviews mention limited English-speaking staff. If you are a non-Arabic-speaking visitor, the InterContinental or Le Méridien may be smoother experiences — though the Awaliv’s rates are hard to argue with for what you get.

Mid-Range Hotels in Taif

Boudl Taif

Boudl is a Saudi hotel chain that has built a strong domestic reputation for clean, spacious rooms at fair prices — and the Taif property is one of its best. Ranked consistently in the top three hotels in the city on major booking platforms, it scores an 8.4/10 across more than 2,000 reviews. The location in central Taif puts you 1.9 kilometres from Arruddaf Family Park and within a 25-minute walk of Taif Zoo.

The free kids’ club is a genuine differentiator for families — not a token gesture. Boudl properties across Saudi Arabia are designed around the domestic family travel market, and it shows in the room sizes, the pool areas, and the staff’s comfort with children. If you are visiting Taif with kids and want reliability without the five-star price tag, this is the default choice.

Meral Oasis Resort Taif

A villa-style resort ranked number one among B&Bs and inns in Taif, Meral Oasis offers something different from the hotel format: individual units with private pools and balconies. Each villa comes with a fully equipped kitchen (coffee maker, cookware, microwave), making it popular with families on longer stays who want to self-cater some meals.

Be aware: Breakfast is not included, which surprises some guests at the higher price points. Some reviews also mention inconsistent water pressure and occasional maintenance issues. Book the newer villas if given the option.

Budget Hotels and Serviced Apartments

Taif’s budget accommodation market is dominated by serviced apartments — a format that works well in Saudi Arabia, where domestic tourists often travel as extended families and prefer kitchen facilities over hotel dining rooms. Prices start from as low as $29/night, making Taif one of the most affordable destinations in the Kingdom for overnight stays.

Al Eairy Serviced Apartments

A reliable budget chain with properties across Saudi Arabia. The Taif branch sits near Obikan Mall and offers free parking and daily housekeeping. Rooms are basic but clean, with kitchenettes in most units. From approximately $29/night, it represents the floor of what acceptable accommodation costs in Taif.

Layan Resort

Near Arruddaf Park and Obikan Mall, Layan Resort offers an outdoor pool with mountain views — a rare amenity at this price point. The rooms are straightforward, but the pool area elevates it above the typical budget stay. A good option if you want outdoor space without mid-range prices.

Arayik Resort

A family-oriented budget resort with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, room service, a children’s pool, and laundry service. Nothing remarkable, but it covers the basics competently and keeps rates low. Useful for families who plan to spend most of their time outside the property.

New Hotels Coming to Taif (2025–2026)

Taif’s hotel pipeline is modest compared to the megaproject-fuelled building spree in Riyadh, The Red Sea, and NEOM — but two significant additions are in progress.

Holiday Inn & Suites Resort Taif, Al Shafa

Announced as a joint project between IHG and Al Jumaiah Group, this property is planned for the Al Shafa district. It will feature standalone chalets — a format suited to the mountain terrain — along with an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, and a lobby lounge. The chalet concept is a direct response to the growing demand for resort-style accommodation in Taif’s highlands. Expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026.

Staybridge Suites Taif, Al Shafa

Part of the same IHG–Al Jumaiah signing, this extended-stay property will offer standalone villas, studios, and one-to-three-bedroom apartments with mountain views. Staybridge Suites properties are designed for stays of a week or longer, with full kitchens and communal social spaces. It will be the first internationally branded extended-stay hotel in Taif — useful for the growing number of remote workers and long-stay visitors the city attracts during summer.

Hotel Comparison Table

When to Book and Best Time to Visit

Taif’s peak season runs from April through September — the inverse of most Gulf destinations where summer empties hotels. When Jeddah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province hit 45°C, Taif’s mountain elevation keeps temperatures between 25–30°C. The Rose Festival (March–April, running approximately 45 days) adds a second demand spike, particularly from domestic tourists and perfume buyers.

Cheapest months: December through February. Taif gets cold by Saudi standards at altitude — nighttime temperatures can drop below 10°C — and domestic demand falls sharply. Hotel rates drop 30–50 percent across all categories.

Booking advice: Reserve at least two weeks in advance for Rose Festival season (April) and Saudi summer holidays (June–August). Off-season, walk-in rates are usually available, though booking platforms may still offer better deals.

Getting to Taif

By Air

Taif Regional Airport (TIF) handles domestic flights from Riyadh and Dammam via Saudia, flyadeal, and flynas, with approximately 34 weekly departures on Saudia alone. International connections include Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (flydubai), Muscat (Oman Air), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), and several Egyptian cities. The airport sits roughly 30 minutes from central Taif by taxi.

By Road from Jeddah

The most popular route — and arguably the most scenic. The drive takes 2–3 hours depending on traffic and which road you take. The Al Hada mountain road is the dramatic option: a series of switchbacks climbing from the coastal plain to the highlands, with views that justify the slower pace. The newer highway is faster but less memorable. If staying at Le Méridien Al Hada, the mountain road drops you directly at the hotel.

International visitors will need a Saudi tourist e-visa, which can be processed online in minutes. Car rental is available at both Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport and Taif Regional Airport.

What to Do Near Your Hotel

Taif is not a sit-by-the-pool destination (though several hotels reviewed here have excellent pools). The city and its surroundings offer enough to fill three or four days comfortably.

Shubra Palace

Built between 1905 and 1907, Shubra Palace blends Ottoman, Roman, and Hijazi architectural styles. It served as a royal residence before being converted into a regional museum displaying antique jewellery, weapons, pottery, and Ottoman-era artefacts. Open to visitors and located in central Taif — easy to reach from any downtown hotel.

Al Hada Cable Car (Teleferic)

A 15-minute ride across the Al Hada Mountain with panoramic views of the escarpment and the road far below. Open daily from 9 AM to 8 PM. Approximately 84 SAR per person. Directly opposite Le Méridien Al Hada.

Rose Farms and Distilleries

Nearly 900 farms in the Taif area cultivate Damask roses, producing rose water and rose oil used in perfumery across the Arab world. During the Rose Festival (March–April), many farms open to visitors. Even outside festival season, rose products dominate the traditional souks.

Mountain Hiking

The terrain around Taif — particularly the Al Shafa and Al Hada areas — offers hiking opportunities that range from easy walks to more demanding scrambles. The altitude and vegetation make this a different experience from the desert hikes found elsewhere in the Kingdom. For broader options, see the Saudi Arabia hiking guide.

Traditional Souks

Taif’s souks specialise in rose products, local honey (Taif honey commands premium prices across the Gulf), dried fruit, and traditional Hijazi goods. The souk experience here feels less commercialised than Jeddah’s Al Balad and more authentically tied to local production.

Practical Tips for Hotel Stays in Taif

• Altitude adjustment: At nearly 1,900 metres, some visitors experience mild altitude effects (headache, shortness of breath) on arrival, particularly if driving up from sea-level Jeddah. Drink water, take it easy the first evening.
• Car rental is essential if staying at Al Hada or Al Shafa. Central Taif is walkable for some attractions, but the mountain areas require transport.
• Ramadan timing: Hotels remain open during Ramadan, but restaurant hours change significantly. Most hotel restaurants serve iftar and suhoor but may close during daylight fasting hours.
• Family-friendly culture: Taif’s tourism market is heavily domestic and family-oriented. Hotels are generally well-equipped for children, and family sections in restaurants are standard.
• Rose Festival premium: Expect rates 20–40 percent higher during the Rose Festival (March–April). Book early if this is your target period.
• Wi-Fi: All hotels listed in this guide offer free Wi-Fi. Coverage quality is generally good in central Taif; mountain properties vary.

How Taif Compares to Other Saudi Hotel Destinations

Taif occupies a unique niche in Saudi Arabia’s accommodation market. It lacks the megaproject glamour of AlUla’s desert resorts or the urban density of Riyadh’s hotel scene. What it offers instead is value and climate. A five-star night in Taif costs what a three-star night costs in Riyadh. And between April and September, no major Saudi city matches Taif’s comfort.

For travellers basing themselves in Jeddah, Taif works as a two-to-three-night side trip — close enough to drive, different enough to feel like a separate destination. Combined with the Abha and Asir highlands further south, it forms part of a highland circuit that showcases a Saudi Arabia most visitors never see.

Explore More Saudi Arabia Travel Guides

• Saudi Arabia Hotels Guide — Complete accommodation guide across every region of the Kingdom
• Best Hotels in Riyadh — Capital city stays from business hotels to boutique properties
• Best Hotels in Jeddah — Red Sea coast accommodation for every budget
• Best Hotels in AlUla — Desert luxury and heritage resorts in the northwest
• Abha and Asir Travel Guide — The southern highlands and their mountain villages
• Saudi Arabia Travel Guide 2026 — The complete guide to visiting the Kingdom
• Saudi Arabia Visa Guide — Every visa type explained