We stayed at the Intercontinental Red Sea for 4 nights. We booked a two-bedroom lagoon suite and a connecting twin lagoon room. We traveled as a family with a 20-month-old baby. First and foremost, I want to talk about the excellent service. From the communication before our arrival to our departure, service was consistently excellent and exceeded my expectations. I have visited multiple hotels across Saudi Arabia, including a few in the Red Sea, and I can say with certainty that the service at the Intercontinental is the best I have seen among them. Here are a few examples of the great service: 1) When we arrived at the room, all the baby amenities we requested were already set up. 2) Buggies were never late, and we especially enjoyed being picked up by Adnan and his positive energy in the mornings. 3) At breakfast, the wonderful staff were super friendly and welcoming with our baby; they also never forgot our table and passed by often to check up. 4) All staff were super friendly with our baby, always waving and giving him high fives. 5) Several staff members were anticipatory of our needs. One day, while our baby was playing with the sand on the beach under the midday sun, Chana saw us and brought an umbrella to protect him from the sun. 6) Housekeeping is discreet and professional, often coming at the right time and tidying up our rooms nicely. 7) After maintenance fixed my water heater, they called housekeeping to clean up without me having to ask, and housekeeping arrived promptly. 8) The chefs at the restaurant were always happy to accommodate and make special dishes for our baby. 9) The staff called me the day before my departure to confirm my departure details. 10) Staff at the kids' club and spa were all very welcoming and provided great service. The Intercontinental Red Sea has really hired a great team. During the New Year’s Gala dinner, I saw staff celebrating and hugging each other, which showcases a culture of teamwork and camaraderie. One area for improvement concerns IHG Platinum Ambassador benefits. I would have liked to see more benefits for members like me, like complimentary upgrades. Afternoon tea was the only complimentary offering during our stay, and I only found out quite late. After service, I next need to talk about the food. The quality of the food exceeded my expectations. Among all the hotels and resorts I have tried in Saudi Arabia, the food at the Intercontinental Red Sea is among the best. From their pepperoni sourdough pizza to their morning cheese manakish and delicious pecan donuts to their incredible aquafaba hummus and chargrilled local sea bream, many dishes were delicious and memorable. I was actually worried before coming about having limited food options, but the team at Darein made our dining experience wonderful. The daily live cello performances were also a plus! However, since the hotel is in a soft opening, only 2 restaurants and 1 cafe were open, so I look forward to seeing more options in the
