LHMain,
Isn't your employer going to provide your digs? That is the norm in this area.
If they are, my advice is to take it, at least for the first couple of months, until you are oriented and know where you want to live. Are you flying out of the international, or Riyadh military? This would influence where you might want to live, especially if you are driving yourself.
If you have to stay at a hotel for the first couple of days after arrival, the Intercontinental is good, and so is the Sheraton. They are in nice areas, with easy access to the rest of the main thoroughfares in the city, and are not too close to the crowded and slightly more pungent city centre, or "Deira" as it is known.
Cheers