Hilton Hotels Corporation said it has signed two management agreements with the Al Hokair Group to launch the first two Hilton Garden Inn properties in the Middle East in Riyadh.

The first, a 180-room Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya, is scheduled to open in mid-2009, followed by the 196-room Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Al Muroj scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2010, said a Hilton statement.

The two Hilton Garden Inn properties are the first of many management agreements entered into under the strategic development agreement signed in December 2008 between Hilton and the Al Hokair Group, and are set to provide Hilton Hotels with a significant presence across the key development market of Saudi Arabia.

"Saudi Arabia is one of our principal development markets. We are delighted to have signed the first two management agreements with the Al Hokair Group to introduce the Hilton Garden Inn brand to the Middle East and specifically Saudi Arabia,"  said Elie Younes, vice president, Development, Hilton Hotels, Middle East.

"We look forward to working closely with the Al Hokair Group on identifying and executing further opportunities within the Kingdom,” said Younes.

Hilton Garden Inn, a Hilton Family of Hotels midscale mid-priced brand, will largely cater to Saudi Arabia’s sizeable business traveller segment.

The 180-room Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya is located in downtown Riyadh, at the heart of the capital’s business and retail district.

The hotel, situated near the cross-section of the capital’s four main streets - Makkah Road, King Abdullah Road, King Abdul Aziz Road and the Takhasussi Road, is easily accessible from all the major business and trade centres.

The 196-room Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Al Muroj on the North Ring Road will be in close proximity to the wealthiest business corridor in Riyadh, the King Fahadh Road, and the capital’s booming financial centre, King Abdullah Financial District.

Hilton Garden Inn hotels are designed to be highly functional and comfortable, making travel easy and pleasurable.

Amenities include the pressure-reducing Garden Sleep System bed that can be adjusted to the guests’ preferred firmness: a spacious, uncluttered desk in each guest room; complimentary wired and WiFi internet access and complimentary work-out facility.

It also boasts of a selection of dining choices including a restaurant, room service, coffee and juice bar and the Pavilion Pantry, a convenient mini-market which sells snacks, microwaveable and fresh meals, and an assortment of beverages.

Each hotel will also provide three meeting rooms, a prayer room, and 24-hour complimentary use of business centre.

Furthermore, the Olaya property will also feature a fitness centre and car park, whilst the Al Muroj hotel will offer two multi-purpose banqueting halls.

“With the two Hilton Garden Inn properties, we are addressing the mid-market segment, whilst still offering Hilton’s trademark hospitality and innovation at a cost-effective rate,” said Adrian Kurre, senior vice president, Brand Management for Hilton Garden Inn.

Sami Al-Hokair, executive vice president of Abdulmohsen Al Hokair and Sons Holding Company, said, “As we face a surge in domestic and business travel across the Kingdom, Hilton’s established credentials and well positioned brands like Hilton Garden Inn will help us manage demand and meet travellers’ high expectations. We are looking forward to opening the first of many hotels under the Hilton Garden Inn brand.”

Hilton Hotels Corporation manages five properties in Saudi Arabia – Jeddah Hilton, Makkah Hilton, Makkah Towers, Madinah Hilton, and the Waldorf Astoria Collection, Qasr Al Sharq in Jeddah.

Over the next five years, Hilton and the Al  Hokair Group plan to introduce Hilton Garden Inn hotels across the Kingdom in locations such as Riyadh, Al Khobar, Damma