Hilton to open 180-room hotel in Saudi
Dubai, March 3, 2014
Hospitality giant Hilton Worldwide said it has signed an agreement with Saudi-based Al Jazeera Group to open its 180-room hotel in the Saudi city of Al Ahsa.
The Hilton Al Ahsa, set to open in 2016, will be strategically located in the downtown area of Al Ahsa in an upcoming district surrounded by a growing number of residential, retail and commercial developments, said a statement from Hilton.
The hotel will have direct access to the city’s main thoroughfares and also enjoy close proximity to Al Ahsa Regional Airport, it added.
Rob Palleschi, the global head of Hilton Hotels & Resorts said: “With a 17-year history in Saudi Arabia, Hilton enjoys a long serving, proud reputation in the Kingdom. I am delighted we continue to consolidate our presence by expanding the company’s flagship brand into the new market of Al Ahsa, a city with growing appeal for business and leisure travellers to the region.”
The hotel will feature a wide variety of restaurants and lounges as well as a wealth of conference and event facilities including a large multi-function room, two boardrooms, four meeting rooms and a business centre.
Leisure amenities will include an outdoor pool as well as a separate male and female health club and spa, it stated.
Rudi Jagersbacher, the president of Hilton Worldwide Middle East & Africa said Saudi was an integral part of the Hilton portfolio and today’s announcement strengthens its commitment to the country and to one of the company’s biggest development markets.
"We have the right partner, the right location and the right property to add value and presence to the Al Ahsa landscape and to the character of the city," he noted.
Sheikh Dr Jassim bin Nasser bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, the owner of Al Jazeera Group said: “Al Ahsa is a flourishing destination and the addition of a new property by Hilton Worldwide, and the well-known quality it represents, will be a major boost to the city.”
As one of the largest oasis regions in Saudi’s Eastern Province, Al Ahsa is famous for its fertile agricultural business and the abundance of date palms, served by the plentiful reserves of underground water, for which the city is famous.
Al Ahsa also lays claim to many archaeological sites and, as an early trading route stop between the West and the Orient, was celebrated as a significant early centre for commerce. Modern-day Al Ahsa, located in close proximity to the world’s largest oil field at Ghawar, continues the city’s rich commercial legacy.-TradeArabia News Service