Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts is to open its first resort hotel in Saudi Arabia and its ninth property in the Kingdom, creating a leisure destination and meetings venue on the Gulf Coast.

Located 40 km from Al Khobar, the Half Moon Bay Holiday Inn Resort offers 60 one- and two-bedroom villas complete with kitchenettes, parking and maids' rooms, as well as 41 guest rooms. All the accommodation is situated around a lagoon, and guests can enjoy three swimming pools, a range of water sports facilities, and a poolside restaurant.

Although mainly geared towards leisure, the resort can accommodate meetings, conferences and incentives for up to 30 delegates. Business services, with full meeting equipment, and support services are available on request.

The international Blue Beach restaurant and room service cater for all culinary requirements. A poolside snack bar serves light snacks throughout the day.

The Half Moon Bay Holiday Inn Resort has two children's playgrounds, a terrace for barbeques, and a spacious beach area.

With a fully equipped fitness centre and gift shop, visitors to the striking new resort complex will not be easily tempted to leave Half Moon Bay Holiday Inn Resort, but should they do so, the corniche, parks, shopping malls, Dhahran exhibition centre and Bahrain causeway are within easy reach.

"The Half Moon Bay Holiday Inn Resort is a top quality beach resort in Saudi Arabia's Gulf coast region," said David Atkinson, area director, Marketing, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, Middle East and Africa.