Al Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh has been setting new standards of luxury in Saudi Arabia since it opened last year.

The international deluxe hotel, a Rosewood Hotel and Resorts property, is a technical and architectural masterpiece with just one level of service for its guests - First Class.

The hotel, with its perfect combination of exceptional management and prestigious location, is ideally suited to take advantage of a recent government decision to open up tourism by extending tourist visas which is expected to bring an influx of visitors to the Kingdom.

"The five-star hotel is the perfect combination of exceptional service and prestigious location," said a hotel spokesman.

"We have brought Rosewood Hotels & Resorts' enviable reputation for gracious hospitality all over the world to the Arabian desert," says Ian Barbour, Rosewood's regional vice president.

"Al Faisaliah Hotel is the Kingdom's first truly international deluxe hotel, offering our discerning guests international service excellence in the heart of Riyadh's most prestigious commercial and residential area."

In addition to managing the hotel, the Texas-based company will be responsible for the adjoining Al Faisaliah Banquet and Conference Centre, the Al Faisaliah Residence and the soon-to-open three-story restaurant located in the geodesic globe at the top of the Al Faisaliah Tower.

Al Faisaliah offers guests spacious, designer-decorated rooms, gourmet restaurants and professionally operated business and leisure facilities, said the spokesman.

In addition to these luxuries, Rosewood has introduced to Riyadh - and to Saudi Arabia - a 24-hour butler service on all floors.

"This means that guests can direct requests such as laundry, restaurant bookings, courier services, packing and unpacking of luggage or just about anything in the realm of service to one individual who is responsible for their comfort during their stay," said the spokesman.

In addition, guests will enjoy the particularly large bathrooms with separate shower stalls - another novel introduction to hotel rooms in Saudi Arabia.

The Al Faisaliah Hotel offers an array of international dining experiences, ranging from the exceptional luxury of Cristal to the convenience of 24-hour service in the elegant, yet informal La Brasserie Restaurant.

"Our guests expect their eating experiences to be nothing less than gourmet," says executive chef Warren Pearson.

"We constantly strive to bring originality to our menus. There's every indication that this recipe for success will continue to work for us."

Other restaurants include CafŽ Royal, the coffeehouse, and Il Terrazzo, an air-conditioned open-air barbecue terrace restaurant that overlooks the centre's beautifully landscaped plaza.

Al Faisaliah Hotel's Banquet and Conference Centre offers event planners a banquet hall and ballroom, each capable of being divided into a variety of different configurations and sub-divisions.

The main banquet and conference hall can accommodate virtually any function from large-scale exhibitions and multi-media conferences to elaborate weddings and gala-dinner ceremonies.

The banquet hall is the largest column-free public space in the Kingdom and offers uninterrupted views from anywhere in the auditorium.

The adjacent ballroom along with three bridal suites and a separate entrance highlight the convenience and prestige of the banquet and conference centre.

Barbour said he expected the banquet and conference centre to be nearly as busy as the hotel.

"This is the largest column-free space in Saudi Arabia - perfect for international exhibitions. The state-of-the-art facilities are unmatched," he said.

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, manages properties on five continents worldwide.