Leading international hotel chain, Mariott, recently announced plans to open five new world-class five-star hotels in the Saudi Arabian cities of Makkah, Medina, Riyadh and the Eastern Province.
The move comes as a growing number of business tourists reach the country and require international standard accommodations, according to Arab News.
"The hotel business is booming because of growing commercial activities. Plans have also been made to open new Marriott hotels in Doha, Bahrain and also in Jordan," said Ghassan Jana, general manager of Marriott Riyadh.
Referring to the SR100 million expansion project at the Riyadh Marriott, Jana stated that the hotel could now boast a large multipurpose hall, known as "The Makarim Convention Center."
The hall will consists of two grand ballrooms, each measuring some 1000 square meters, connecting to a bridal suite.
"This is in addition to a new health club called Bodyline Health Club and Spa, the first of its kind in the capital," Jana added, saying that the Riyadh Marriott had always been in the forefront in being social responsible. "One initiative is to conserve depleting water resources and protect the environment," said Jana, adding that the Riyadh Marriott was the first hotel to use technology to save water and reduce the excess flow.
