londonyvonne

Can anyone recommend any good swimming pools for western women (with no access via accomodation) in Riyadh? Preferably fairly large for a proper swim. Where are they (hotels? sports club?) and which part of town? Do you need yearly membership, are they pay per session, and how much are they? Or is there a system where westerners can use the pools on other western compounds, even if they are not living there?

khitan004

You can use pools on compounds if you are invited. I would say it is not the season for swimming at the moment given it's pissing down.

typical

The Luthan has a pool, maybe available for non-guests?

flares

The Faisaliah Hotel will have a ladies only spa opening next year. The old pool is being incorporated. May be about 20m long.

Andyddendum

Not aware of anything other than compound facilities - last resort, I have an indoor one but only 10mx6m - more than welcome to use if you wish.

LynneArmstrong

Luthan Hotel & Spa has an indoor pool - not large but you can swim laps (ish) nice steam rooms and jacuzzi as well.

THis is a ladies only hotel & Spa and I think you can use the facilities without a problem, may need a membership though as there is also the gym and classes for this.

Not found much else though to be honest, the Four Seasons apparantly has some womens facilities but unsure what these are.

londonyvonne

Thanks for the replies, I might be taking you up on your offer Andy

londonyvonne

Click on the link to get Luthan membership prices (3 months SAR 5000, 6 months SAR 8000. One swim SAR 200)

https://docs.google.com/viewer?attid...number=1&w=711

Any other pools for women? This is too expensive for me

mentalist

Don't be silly. He may be a crazy person.

londonyvonne

For any single women looking for a swimming pool, this seems to be a good option. It is the Al Manahil Centre in the Diplomat Quarter. See a message from them below

Thank you for your interest in AL Manahil Center.

Regarding Swimming lessons its 12 sessions in a month 780 SR,24 sessions course 1560 SR . we offer a daily free swimming ticket 50 SR.

Free swimming monthly member ship 500 SR and 11 coupon tickets for free swimming 440SR.

Opening hours from Sat-Wed 11:00am-7:30pm. Thursday from 10:00am-1:30pm. Friday : Off

There is no need for any blood test to use the swimming pool.

Please contact 4881069 Ext 443/444/442 for any inquires.
join us on facebook AL Manahil Center (Non Profit Organization).

Marketing Department
Al Manahil Co.
Riaydh KSA
website:www.almanahil.com.sa

Tockalosh

I know Saudi is fecked up but no need for a blood test before using the pool. Is there normally a need for a blood test ?

Tockalosh

Oh yes, come on over to my place, take off all your clothes, have a swim, maybe a few sid and sevens afterwards, of course I have just joined the bored so no one knows how fecked up or genuinely pleasant I may be,

And remember, though this in no way reflects Andy and his offer, I must be clear about that. Should you get raped and it isnt witnessed by 4 other males then the allegation doesnt hold water in Sharia. Of course if 4 other males do rape you at the same time then it would still be your fault for being there and enticing them with your half naked body.

TEFL jobs generally pay shite so why go and do it somewhere shite as well ?

After all that I do know a nanny for a senior member of the Royal family who has had a wail of a time working for the Saudis but then again they spend the vast majority of the year in the US and a couple of months only in the Kingdom

londonyvonne

I don't know about the others, but the Luthan (which is a kind of women's only hotel and spa) told me a blood test was necessary to use their pool

LynneArmstrong

I stayed at the Luthan for over a week and was not required to provide a blood test and did use the pool!

Sounds strange but then so are a lot of things here! I did have to wear a stupid swim hat though and looked like a giant zit as it was orange!

londonyvonne

Thanks for your concern Tockalosh. Obviously I wouldn't be going on my own to Andy's pool if he was a single man alone in Saudi :-)

As to why not go somewhere else, I've been to a lot of other places already and I would genuinely like to experience Middle Eastern life for a year

TEFL is not the best paying job in the world but it's a good way to get to know other cultures and private tutoring can work out quite well