New hotels boost Hilton presence in Saudi Arabia
Hilton Worldwide and Hamad Abdulaziz Almousa Trading Group have announced the signing of a management agreement to open Embassy by Hilton Riyadh King Fahd Road, introducing the upscale Embassy by Hilton brand to the Middle East. A management agreement to open DoubleTree by Hilton Dhahran – Al Qusur, has also been signed.
Carlos Khneisser, vice president of development, Middle East and North Africa, for Hilton Worldwide, said: “We have been looking for the right opportunity to debut Embassy by Hilton in the region and believe Riyadh makes for a great fit.
“Our strategy for growth continues to focus on quality projects, underpinned by strong brands and the best management expertise in the industry. With over 20 years of experience in Saudi Arabia, we are now operating or developing 38 properties with more than 85% of our pipeline under construction – remarkable progress that puts us at the forefront of the industry.”
Embassy by Hilton Riyadh King Fahd Road will feature 250 guest rooms and be conveniently located on King Fahd Road, in close proximity to the upcoming King Abdullah Financial District. Each of the hotel’s 43 sq metre rooms will feature a living room, bedroom and bathroom. The light, open and airy rooms have been designed with flexibility in mind, including movable partitions, providing openness or privacy as required for business and leisure travellers.
Upmarket facilities
In addition, Embassy by Hilton Riyadh King Fahd Road will offer a large multi-function meeting room with two conference rooms and a boardroom. The hotel will feature an all-day dining restaurant and lobby lounge. Other facilities include a spa, indoor pool, prayer room and salon.
Riyadh, traditionally a destination for business travellers, is increasingly popular with families staying for leisure purposes owing to its shopping malls, museums and historical sites. The capital city also expects to see its airport’s capacity raised from 14 million to 25 million passengers a year once planned expansions are complete, making it a hub for travel to Saudi Arabia.
The newly-announced DoubleTree by Hilton Dhahran – Al Qusur will offer travellers easy access to the Dammam industrial area, the downtown Khobar district and the Kingdom of Bahrain which is within driving distance. The hotel will feature 189 guest rooms and offer a business centre, salon and two swimming pools. Guests will be able to choose from a selection of dining outlets including an all-day dining restaurant, speciality restaurant, café and lounge.
Hamad Abdulaziz Almousa, owner of Hamad Abdulaziz Almousa Trading Group, said: “We are pleased to be continuing our partnership with Hilton Worldwide – in previous years we have signed agreements to open two hotels in Al Khobar.
“Embassy by Hilton is a firm favourite in the United States and with this signing, we look forward to bringing the brand to the Middle East for the first time.”
Bill Duncan, global head, Embassy by Hilton, said: “As part of the agreements reached, we are delighted to announce the debut of Embassy by Hilton in the region. Featuring upscale, spacious guest suites, the brand has been adapted for the region with the Middle Eastern traveller in mind and we are confident it will appeal to this market.”
Hilton Worldwide currently has 10 hotels operating in Saudi Arabia and is set to more than triple its presence in the country with a further 28 hotels under development, including Conrad Makkah which is set to open in Spring 2016. In December 2015, Hilton Worldwide announced the arrival of Hampton by Hilton to Saudi Arabia, with the first property confirmed for Riyadh.
The previously signed DoubleTree by Hilton Al Khobar – Corniche has been replaced with the signing of a management agreement for Hilton Al Khobar Corniche, a 359-guest room hotel expected to open in 2017.
