AccorHotels, a leading international hotel operator, today signed a management agreement with Al-Mohammadia Almotahda – a family-run, Riyadh-based business group – for an upper midscale Novotel Suites in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.

The 196-key property is the fourth project between AccorHotels and Al-Mohammadia Almotahda in Saudi Arabia and will be the first Novotel Suites in the Eastern Province.

Olivier Granet, managing director and chief operating officer of AccorHotels Middle East, said: “We are delighted to introduce the Novotel Suites brand in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia with our trusted partner Al-Mohammadia Almotahda. We have had the pleasure of working with the group on a number of properties including the first ibis that was introduced to the Kingdom in 2012. I am certain that with our partner’s expertise in the local real estate market we will create a unique offering for visitors to the Eastern Province.”

Novotel Suites is an upper midscale brand built on the concept of contemporary elegance. The suites are modular and flexible so that the space may be adjusted to suit the specific needs of business and leisure travelers.

The development of Novotel Suites Khobar will entail the conversion of an existing serviced apartments building, which will undergo a complete refurbishment in order to reflect Novotel Suites’ brand standards. The project is expected to be completed by Q1 2018.

Novotel Suites Khobar will be strategically located along King Abdullah Road in close proximity to key attractions such as the Khobar seafront, the Corniche, Bin Jaluwi Park, as well as well-known shopping destinations in the city including Valencia Mall and Al Rashid Mall. The hotel will provide connectivity to Dammam through King Abdullah Road and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Road.

Salah Oumouden, vice-president of operations of AccorHotels Saudi Arabia and Egypt, added: “Al Khobar continues to be a vital business and leisure hub and we are excited to cater to both segments through Novotel Suites’ unique layout and features. The new property is the 35th hotel to be under development in the Kingdom and with its addition we will be targeting short and long stay clientele, which is on the rise in the Eastern Province area.”

The Novotel Suites Khobar will offer suites in the traditional Novotel Suites layout, bringing additional inter-connecting rooms and features to cater to families. The property will also include an all-day dining restaurant in addition to a lobby lounge. Guests will also be able to enjoy the hotel’s indoor swimming pool and health club.

“As the kingdom works towards its goal of attracting a larger number of tourists and building the infrastructure to support its local tourism industry, it has become an absolute necessity to develop a variety of different offerings for visitors. AccorHotels is committed to providing guests with a diverse range of options that meet our highest international standards,” concluded Granet.

AccorHotels currently operates 75 hotels in the Middle East, encompassing close to 20,000 rooms across the luxury and economy segments. The group has another 53 hotels under development in the region, bringing an additional 14,000 rooms to the Middle East. - TradeArabia News Service