IHG Hotels & Resorts signed a management agreement with Refad Real estate investment & development company part of Abdulhadi AlQahtani, sons group Company to bring Hotel Indigo & Residences Al Khobar to Saudi Arabia by September 2027. In line with its commitment to fostering collaboration between its partners, TDF has facilitated the recent signing that will contribute to the sustainability of the Kingdom’s hospitality and tourism industries. Developed as part of the Refad project, which is set to become the most iconic mixed-use lifestyle destination in Eastern Province, Hotel Indigo & Residences Al Khobar will feature more than 200 keys of hotel rooms and serviced apartments in the vibrant corniche district of Al Khobar. As one of IHG’s lifestyle brands, Hotel Indigo properties offer a gateway to some of the world’s most inspiring locations. Just as no two neighborhoods are alike, no two Hotel Indigo properties are the same, taking inspiration from the area around each hotel to inform all aspects of the guest experience, from the hotel’s boutique design approach to locally inspired restaurants. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East and Africa (IMEA) at IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: “Al Khobar boasts a vibrant tapestry of economic vitality, cultural richness and scenic beauty, and offers a serene retreat for leisure seekers. With the upcoming Refad mixed-use development that will shape Al Khobar’s leisure, entertainment and hospitality offering, we are confident that Hotel Indigo & Residences Al Khobar will meet the varied preferences of guests. He added: “This strategic addition not only fuels our growth in KSA but also reaffirms our commitment to providing exceptional hospitality experiences in key markets. With the Kingdom having increased its 2030 visitor target …
Read More »Wyndham continues to expand in Saudi Arabia with new hotel in Al Khobar KSA
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced the upcoming opening of Ramada Encore by Wyndham Al Khobar Corniche, further cementing its presence and growth plans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located in the heart of Al Khobar – one of the key leisure and commercial destinations in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province – and close to its renowned corniche, the new hotel is expected to open in August and will allow guests to immerse themselves in the vibrant city centre atmosphere or soak up stunning coastal views. With 79 well-appointed rooms spread across 12 floors, the property will feature modern interiors that reflect the brand’s fresh, approachable, and vibrant core attributes. Ramada Encore by Wyndham Al Khobar Corniche adds to Wyndham’s portfolio of 13 operational hotels in the country under the Wyndham Garden, Ramada, Ramada Encore, Howard Johnson, Hawthorn Suites and Super 8 by Wyndham brands. The latest opening in Saudi Arabia builds on Wyndham Hotels & Resorts strong foothold across the Middle East and Africa with almost 70 hotels and a development pipeline of more than 25 additional properties across the region. The hospitality industry is one of most promising sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with its Vision 2030 goal of attracting 100 million tourists by 2030. Panos Loupasis, Market Managing Director for Türkiye, the Middle East and Africa, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said: “Ramada Encore by Wyndham Al Khobar Corniche embodies the brand’s ethos of contemporary comfort and warm hospitality. This latest opening marks an important step in our expansion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where we recently re-introduced direct franchising and management rights for our Ramada brand and are investing in local resources to …
Read More »Marriott Executive Apartments opens in Al Khobar
Marriott Executive Apartments, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, announces the opening of Marriott Executive Apartments Al Khobar. Located within close proximity to the city’s premier shopping malls and business district, the upscale residential apartments cater to the rapidly growing demand for longer stay accommodations that offer home comforts for both business and leisure travelers. Commenting on behalf of the owning company of Marriott Executive Apartments Al Khobar, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Jumah, Chairman, Mansour bin Jumah Holding said: “We are delighted to introduce these elevated serviced apartments which will cater to travellers who seek short and long stay accommodation in a central city location. Suitable for a business trip, city escape or family holiday, Marriott Executive Apartments Al Khobar will embrace new ways of living, offering travelers premium accommodation and comfort, combined with world-class service. We are also proud to contribute to the Kingdom’s thriving tourism sector and support Vision 2030.” Ahmed Hozaien, Area Vice President – Saudi Arabia, Bahrain & Egypt at Marriott International said: “We are delighted to enhance our footprint in Saudi Arabia with the opening of Marriott Executive Apartments in the vibrant city of Al Khobar. This opening offers the ideal fit for business and leisure guests who seek a sophisticated experience with amenities and services that mirror the comforts of home.” Marriott Executive Apartments Al Khobar features 268 modern residential apartments. The spacious one, two and three-bedroom apartments offer separate living, sleeping, and working areas so guests can enjoy a home from home experience during their stay. The property embodies the notion of sophisticated living combined with modern comforts, fulfilling its commitment to providing a full range of accommodations with the highest …
Read More »Philippine ePassport renewal centres launched in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar in the KSA
In a bid to ease the passport renewal process for Philippine nationals living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), The Republic of the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs and VFS Global have signed a contract to provide Passport Renewal services in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. All three centres have started to accept passport renewal requests from Saturday to Thursday between 08:00 AM to 08:00 PM. This is the first time The Republic of the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs has outsourced its passport renewal process in KSA. Prior to this, Philippine residents in the KSA had to visit the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah or the Embassy in Riyadh for passport renewal. With the opening of the new ePassport Renewal Centres, customers will have an additional avenue to complete the process. Chris Dix, Head of Business Development, VFS Global, said, “We would like to thank The Republic of the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs for their faith in us. Our Passport and Consular services have been growing from strength to strength, and we look forward to bringing those best in class services to the Philippines nationals here in the Kingdom.”
Read More »RIKAZ properties partners with IHG to develop Holiday Inn Al Khobar
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has signed a Management Agreement with real estate company RIKAZ Properties to develop its fourth Holiday Inn hotel in Al Khobar. Expected to open in January 2021, Holiday Inn Al Khobar King Fahd Road will be located in close proximity to the King Fahd Causeway, making it the ideal choice for leisure guests during holiday seasons as well as corporate guests looking for ease of connectivity to and from Bahrain. The 140-key property will feature an outdoor pool, a lobby lounge, food & beverage outlets and a state-of-the-art gymnasium. Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG, said, “With a number of recent signings in Saudi Arabia, across our brands such as Holiday Inn, voco and Crowne Plaza, we are growing our presence in key cities and gearing up to cater to the needs of diverse guest profiles expected to visit the country in the coming years.” Khalid Al Gahtani, Chairman, RIKAZ Properties, added, “The Holiday Inn brand has an international appeal and we are confident that this latest hotel will perform successfully and cater to the increasing demand for midscale accommodation in the country.”
Read More »Belgium opens visa application centres in Al Khobar and Jeddah for Schengen visas
Citizens and expatriate residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can apply for Schengen visas to Belgium at the new Visa Application Centres jointly launched by the Embassy of Belgium in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and VFS Global. The new centres provide outbound travellers from Al Khobar and Jeddah a very convenient visa application platform, ensuring enhanced quality of services and seamless procedures. Applicants also complete their biometric enrolment at the same application centre. With the launch of these new centres, applicants no longer need to visit the Embassy of Belgium and instead need to submit their visa applications at the VFS Global centres in Al Khobar and Jeddah. During the official inauguration of the Visa Application Centre in Al Khobar, H E Dominique Mineur, Ambassador of Belgium to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said, “The recent opening in Jeddah last month has already resulted in an increase in the number of visa applications received for Belgium from the Kingdom. We hope the Al Khobar Centre will also generate the same interest, and we thank VFS Global for their support. This will undoubtedly strengthen the relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Belgium.” The first Visa Application Centre for Schengen visas to Belgium started its operations in December 2016 from the capital city of Riyadh. Commenting on the new centres for visas to Belgium, Vinay Malhotra, Regional Group COO—Middle East, South Asia & China, VFS Global, said, “The number of applications for Schengen visas applied in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has increased significantly and continuously over the years. The positive economic environment in the Kingdom and the high level of economic growth has created more opportunities for business …
Read More »Ascott signs new property in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
The Ascott Limited (Ascott) will manage another Citadines-branded property located in central Al Khobar in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Citadines Al Khobar will comprise 54 one-bedroom apartments with various layouts. Managed and operated by Ascott, facilities will include a breakfast area, residents’ lounge and fully equipped gym, making it an excellent choice for accommodation amongst business and leisure travellers. “We are delighted to have signed an agreement to manage Citadines Al Khobar,” commented Vincent Miccolis, Ascott’s Country General Manager of Middle East & Turkey. “KSA remains a highly significant growth market and this latest signing will not only expand our presence in KSA but also reinforces our leadership position in the Middle East.” “Citadines Al Khobar is the third property, together with Citadines Abha and Somerset Al Khobar, that we will be working with developer AREIC (the real estate arm of Al Mutlaq Group) and we are pleased to strengthen our partnership with them.” Citadines Al Khobar is situated in central Al Khobar, in a highly sought after location between King Salman and Prince Fawaz streets on the 4th main street in Al Khobar Al Shamaliah, which offers numerous dining, shopping and leisure options.
Read More »