Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has signed an agreement with Khaldia Towers Company (KTC) to operate a Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Four Points by Sheraton Riyadh Khaldia will open in the second quarter of 2013, marking the entry of Starwood’s Four Points by Sheraton brand into Saudi Arabia. 

The hotel will feature 376 guest rooms including 138 suites, three restaurants and lounges, and an ultra-modern meeting and event space, including 18 purpose-built meeting rooms along with a spa and fitness centre, said a statement.

KTC is a partnership between Al Jedaie Group and Al Hokair Group.

“Together with Khaldia Towers Company, we are delighted to introduce the Four Points by Sheraton brand to the kingdom and further expand our footprint in the country,” said Roeland Vos, president Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East. “As Saudi Arabia continues to attract business travellers and religious tourism, the time is right to extend the Starwood portfolio across the country.”

Othman S Abahussain, general manager of KTC, added: “We are excited about opening our first hotel with Starwood and introducing the Four Points by Sheraton brand in Saudi Arabia. There is a strong demand for mid-market hotel brands in the country and we believe Four Points by Sheraton has a great reputation with business travellers globally.”

Starwood’s Four Points by Sheraton brand’s ‘best for business’ approach provides travellers with everything that matters the most with stylish design and an uncomplicated friendly approach to hospitality and service – all at a great value, said the statement. 

The hotel will be located 20 minutes from the business areas of Riyadh and 45 minutes from Riyadh King Khalid International Airport.

Starwood today operates close to 50 hotels and resorts across the Middle East under eight of the company’s nine distinct lifestyle brands. With the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Riyadh Khaldia, Starwood will operate a total of 12 hotels in Saudi Arabia with additional five new hotels to open in the country over the next three years, the statement added. – TradeArabia News Service