The Algosaibi Hotel in Dhahran is offering special rates and a slew of theme nights this summer to attract local and overseas visitors to the Saudi Arabian city.

The 333-room hotel is a 45-minute drive for the city's airport and a short 15-minute hop from the King Fahad Causeway linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

The hotel which is undergoing a major renovation programme, offers a comprehensive range of leisure and business facilities.

This summer, room rates at the hotel start at SR270 ($72) for a single room with SR350 for a double and SR520 for a suite. The summer promotional rates include a buffet breakfast. While children under 12 stay free with their parents, there is a nominal supplement charge of SR30 for extra persons or children over 12 years. The promotion is valid until September 30.

The hotel is also offering a variety of theme nights such as the Italian Fiesta Night and a Thursday barbeque at its outlets to add flavour to the summer.

Sales and marketing manager Majdi Saqer said the hotel was targeting vacationers from other parts of the kingdom and neighbouring Gulf states, especially during the Eastern Province Summer Festival.

Saqer said he hoped the government would follow up on its recent relaxation of visa rules for business travellers by allowing hotels to apply for tourist visas for their guests.