Leading hospitality chain Hilton Worldwide has signed a management agreement to open Hampton by Hilton Riyadh Olaya, marking the arrival of the group’s upper midscale brand to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The 154 guest-room hotel, which is owned by the FAS Hotels Group and will be operated by Hilton Worldwide, is expected to begin welcoming guests in early 2018.

Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Middle East & Africa for Hilton Worldwide, said: “With 20 years of operations in Saudi Arabia, Hilton’s presence across the kingdom continues to go from strength-to-strength. The agreement for our first Hampton by Hilton underscores the success of our multi-brand development strategy in Saudi Arabia– where we already operate four brands; have recently opened our second Hilton Garden Inn hotel and look forward to unveiling the luxurious Conrad Makkah early next year.”

Hampton by Hilton Riydah Olaya will be located in the city’s commercial district, on Olaya Street and the intersection of Tahlia Street which runs parallel to the King Fahd Road. Traveller’s will benefit from a prime position for nearby corporate businesses, government offices as well as retail and restaurants.  

Turki Alhokair, CEO of the FAS Hotels Group, said: “As we continue to diversfy our business interests, we are delighted to be partnering with Hilton Worldwide to develop Saudi Arabia’s first Hampton by Hilton.  Once open, the hotel will offer travellers to Riyadh a superb mid-market accommodation option in an excellent location in the city.”

Joining more than 2,080 Hampton by Hilton hotels operating across the world, Hampton by Hilton Riyadh Olaya will offer travellers the brand’s signature Hamptonality style of service, with a breakfast area, living and working zones, juice bar, 24-hour fitness facility and a 55 square metre conference room.

Phil Cordell, global head, focused service and Hampton by Hilton brand management for Hilton Worldwide, said: “Our success in growing our mid-market presence in the Middle East has resulted from our award-winning brands, as well as the Hilton engine fuelling investor appetite to partner with us.  I am particularly excited about the opportunity for Hampton by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn in the region as we continue to grow our offering, diversify the market and provide further choice to travellers.”

Strong development momentum for Hilton’s mid-market brands in the Middle East has seen this year’s announcement of the world’s largest Hampton by Hilton hotel which is currently under development in Dubai’s Al Qusais district. The arrival of Hampton by Hilton in Saudi Arabia highlights Hilton’s multi-brand development strategy for the kingdom, which features the company’s largest development pipeline in the Middle East, with more than 27 hotels expected to open within the next two to three years.

Upcoming openings in Saudi Arabia include the luxury Conrad Makkah, expected to welcome guests in early 2016. Properties already opened this year include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Riyadh - Al Muroj Business Gate and most recently, Hilton Garden Inn Tabuk. – TradeArabia News Service