HILTON Worldwide and DoubleTree by Hilton has announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Dhahran at the commercial heartland of Al Khobar in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The153-room conversion property, becomes the first DoubleTree by Hilton branded hotel to open in the kingdom.

“The introduction of DoubleTree by Hilton to Saudi Arabia demonstrates the brand’s global recognition and positive growth,” said John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton. “One of Hilton Worldwide’s full-service, upscale brands, DoubleTree by Hilton caters to both business and leisure travellers by focusing on a warm, welcoming guest service culture built around the idea of CARE – Create a Rewarding Experience – not only for our guests, but also for our employees and for the communities in which we serve. The guest’s journey starts with a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie upon arrival, adding a touch of warmth and indulgence after a day of travel.”

Dhahran is one of the older Saudi port cities on the coast of the Arabian Gulf and is home to most of Saudi Arabia’s vast oil reserves. Situated in the heart of the business and commercial district close to Al Khobar Corniche, shopping malls and a new hi-tech petrol museum, the hotel is ideally located for business as well as leisure travellers with a wide array of activities, including water sports available nearby at Half Moon Bay.

DoubleTree by Hilton Dhahran features a range of amenities including a large ballroom, four flexible meeting rooms, a complimentary 24-hour business centre, a complimentary 24-hour fitness centre, and scheduled later this year, a fully-renovated fitness centre, indoor swimming pool and spa area, including steam room and sauna. The hotel has a well-appointed selection of rooms and suites to satisfy guests’ needs, including 99 king, queen or twin rooms and a selection of 54 one and two-bedroom suites. Guests can choose to dine in one of the hotel’s three restaurants: Al Waha, an all-day dining restaurant serving a selection of international cuisine, Rasoi, where they can sample an exciting array of Indian specialties in a fine dining atmosphere, and the Al Maha Café.

Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide Middle East & Africa, said: “I’m delighted to witness the first opening of DoubleTree by Hilton in KSA and the economic viability of a city such as Dhahran. With 21 properties in our Saudi Arabia pipeline, we now have the largest development programme in the region. This opening brings more awareness of the brand to the Middle East region and showcases the diversity of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio. We now have four diverse hotel brands open in Saudi Arabia ranging from top luxury to full service hotel. Our presence in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province contributes to leverage the international hospitality services standards in the area and the city of Dhahran.”

Ahmet Antepli, general manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Dhahran said: “It’s an honour to raise the flag of the first DoubleTree by Hilton in Saudi Arabia in addition to being the first hotel opening in the kingdom in 2014 for Hilton Worldwide. We are confident that this opening answers to a much needed demand on the market for a full service hotel category in the city of Dhahran. Our goal is geared towards maximising repeat guests, given the traveller profile in the area and maintaining a high record of guest satisfaction.”