Ramada International, a division of Marriott International, opened the 96-room Ramada Hotel and Suites Al-Khobar late last month. This marks Ramada International's first property in Saudi Arabia and 140th hotel overall. This is Marriott International's third hotel in Saudi Arabia. Other hotels are the Riyadh Marriott and the Jeddah Marriott. The Madina Marriott is also due to open this autumn.
The hotel is owned by Khalid Al-Nassar and Jama Al-Nassar, under a franchise agreement with Dahma Trading and Contracting Company. The company is part of Al-Nassar Trading and Contracting (NTC) Group, an affiliate to Rabiah and Nassar Company (RANCO).
The waterfront Ramada Hotel and Suites Al-Khobar is located at the business and shopping district of Al-Khobar, one of the main cities in the eastern province. Guests have views of the Arabian Gulf, Corniche Road and beach gardens. Considered the gateway to Bahrain, the location attracts tourists and locals alike for its close proximity to fashion boutiques, fine dining and cafes. The hotel is about 10 kilometer from the Dhahran International Airport and six kilometer from the King Fahd Causeway.
General Manager Mazen Aizouki oversees the hotel, which was built in 1996 and renovated in July 1998. Opening rates begin at 400 Saudi riyals ($106).
For dining and entertainment, the Ramada Hotel and Suites Al-Khobar features The Ninth Floor, serving Middle Eastern and International Cuisine, in addition to an Italian restaurant called Roma. Guests can also get snacks and coffee at Café Roma. Other amenities include a business center, swimming pool and fitness facility.
For conferences and meetings, the hotel offers the 130 square-meter Nahar Hall, which seats 100 people, and the 94 square-meter California Hall, which seats 70 persons.
Marriott International is a worldwide hospitality company celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2002, has over 2,600 operating units in the United States and 65 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names
The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 145,000 employees. In fiscal year 2001, Marriott International reported systemwide sales of $20 billion. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
