Hyatt International plans new hotel in Saudi

Hyatt International has entered into an agreement with Mohammed A. Al Swailem Co, for Commercial Investment to operate a Hyatt Regency hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The 257 room Hyatt Regency Riyadh, which is expected to open in 2013, marks the seventh Hyatt-branded hotel under development in Saudi Arabia, and the second Hyatt-branded hotel under development in Riyadh. The Park Hyatt Riyadh is expected to open in 2015. The Hyatt Regency Riyadh will offer 2597 guest rooms, including 37 suites, which will range in size from 322 sq ft (30 sq m) to 2,475 sq ft (230 sq m). The hotel will also offer a lobby lounge, two restaurants, a Regency Club lounge, more than 5,900 sq ft (550 sq m) of ballroom and event space, and a number of small meeting rooms. Additional hotel amenities include a male spa with six treatment rooms, a 2,300 sq ft (220 sq m) male and female fitness centre, and pool. “Hyatt Regency Riyadh joins the expanding number of Hyatt-branded hotelsunder development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Peter Norman, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions and Development for Hyatt International - Europe, Africa, and Middle East. “Hyatt Regency Riyadh is the first Hyatt-branded hotel slated to open in the next three years in Saudi Arabia’s capital and largest city, underscoring the importance of our goal of being the preferred brand for global travelers. We look forward to working with Al Swailem Investmetn,as we grow the number of Hyatt hotels throughout the country.” “We are pleased to work with Hyatt on our first Hyatt-branded hotel in Saudi Arabia,” said Abdulaziz M Al Swailem, President & CEO for Al Swailem Investment. “We appreciate Hyatt’s commitment to providing authentic hospitality to its guests and are very happy to be working with Hyatt to introduce the Hyatt Regency brand to Riyadh.” Located on Olaya Road in the Al Olaya district in the city of Riyadh, Hyatt Regency Riyadh will be a stand-alone building in close proximity to the city’s Central Business District, which hosts prominent landmarks including the Al Faisaliah Tower and the Kingdom Centre.