Taste of Oktoberfest in Jeddah’s Assila Hotel

Noha Youssef
6 Min Read

During this October, there was no need to travel far to escape the daily routine and stress, as the Assila Hotel instead brought one of the most celebrated events to the Los Angeles of the Red Sea, Jeddah.

This October, in the heart of Jeddah’s fashionable business and shopping district, the new Assila Hotel, which is known to harmonise the warmth of Arabian hospitality with Rocco Forte Hotels’ esteemed service, has brought the taste of Bavaria in the heart of Saudi Arabia by celebrating the Oktoberfest.

The Assila Hotel is one of the newest establishments of a Rocco Forte Hotel. Oktoberfest is probably the most famous family festivals on the planet. On a yearly basis, the Oktoberfest is held in Munich, Germany, in late September and early October. It’s considered the largest people’s fair in the world with over six million people attending, from over 80 nations, to share in local German food, folklore and the good life.

Since early 1990s the Oktoberfest is being celebrated in other major cities in the world, to promote the Bavarian tradition of sharing local food with family, old and new friends. Elderly and young are all welcome to share in the Bavarian feast sitting along long tables, telling life stories and fables, enjoying the festive atmosphere.

From the 13th to 20th of October, the hotel’s 5-star 24-hour restaurant, provided the most succulent apple-strudel or the selection of sour-dough breads, pretzels and more for brunch.

The opening night of the Oktoberfest hosted by both the Consul General of Germany in Jeddah, Holger Ziegeler, and by Assila Hotel’s newly appointed General Manager, Khaldoun Hayajneh.

Guests enjoyed a juicy veal stew and spread, hand crafted bratwurst, sausages and cold cuts. The delicacies were served at a buffet style dinner throughout the week. The interesting and rich menu was designed and executed by German Executive Chef Alex Stephan and Rocco Forte Hotel culinary experts Charles Hotel in Munich.

This month, however, was not all festivals, food, and drinks, as relaxation and self-indulgence was on the menu for the guests as well. Male and female guests can enjoy the Assila SPA with its body-purifying spa package.

The blissful experience started with a Body Composition Test to check the body toxins levels followed by a detoxifying body scrub, lymphatic drainage massage, and foot reflexology.

Another package was available which is the Serenity package that can be enjoyed alone or as a couple. For those looking for the latest treatment in the spa’s facial section, it offers remodelling face treatment to erase any post summer blues with a Biologique Recherche Remodeling Machine: the most advanced bio-electrotherapy beauty treatment available in Jeddah. Such a machine will gently stimulate skin derma for an improved appearance, while smoothing your facial contours, and helping even out impurities and skin tone.

You can expect to see a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles, improved skin texture and tone, accentuation of the eye area and a toned overall feeling. 

The Hotel also offers a variety of membership packages, a squash court, unlimited access to the rooftop swimming pool, for males only, unlimited access to the Assila Spa facilities area, deals on spa packages, restaurants and laundry services, complementary Wi-Fi, and valet parking.

Having stayed at several other Rocco Forte Hotels, the familiar hospitality can be spotted between the branches of the hotel all over the world.

It is in every way a family business; a shared love evident in every Rocco Forte hotel – each exuding the Forte’s innate Anglo-Italian style, sophistication and warmth. They bring this signature style to Jeddah in the Assila Hotel. Assila is the combined creation of two families: the Fortes and the Al Issas.

It is the marriage of European and Arabian sensibilities – a truly worldly luxury hotel.

Its palate spans the finest Arabic, Italian and Argentinian cuisine. Its design adjoins cooling, contemporary Middle Eastern architecture with a warm, light-hearted European touch. And its hospitality invokes both cultures: the genuine care to gratify every guest, and a level of expertise that lets you know this is a Rocco Forte hotel.

As you enter, you are greeted by the subtle scent of oud in the air, and an Arabic welcome of coffee and dates, as you enjoy the vast collection of Saudi art; the splashes of rich, local earth tones, hand-woven rugs and filigreed screens. And you know quality when you head to the rooftop to look across the

shimmering pool, over the city, and out to the Red Sea.

Residences at Assila mean exceptional apartments balancing space, comfort and home privacy with the five-star service, design, facilities and cuisine which is a unique way to experience the city of Jeddah.

Choosing from expansive, individually designed one-to four-bedroom Residential Suites, guests can enjoy tailored services, dine in any of Assila’s five restaurants, order in to their apartments, or

opt to use their state-of-the-art kitchens.

Guests can also expect personalised concierge guidance, and once you exit the hotel onto Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Street, you can enjoy touring the heart of modern Jeddah.

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