Latest Signing Introduces Two New Hotels To KSA's Fast Growing Capital City

Dubai, UAE and McLean, Va - 8 May 2013

Hilton Worldwide today signed an agreement with Mawten Hospitality LLC to introduce the company's first dual branded property to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's rapidly growing capital city.

The single-site development for Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Financial District, KSA and DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Riyadh - Financial District, KSA will be located in the dynamic, upcoming area North of Riyadh, close to King Abdullah Financial District ('KAFD"). 

Currently under construction, KAFD will be home to many leading international banks, financial institutions and legal firms as well as the site of the headquarters of the Capital Market Authority and Tadawul, the KSA stock exchange.  The District will include around 40 multi-use designer towers which is set to redefine the skyline and landscape of the Saudi capital city.

Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide Middle East & Africa said: "Today's announcement for our first dual branded property in the Middle East signifies Hilton Worldwide's intent to become the pre-eminent hospitality provider in Saudi Arabia. We are bringing together two of the leading global, hospitality brands to a location which is destined to become a sophisticated, bustling metropolis within the next two years."

The 260-room Hilton Garden Inn development and the 110 serviced apartments of DoubleTree Suites by Hilton will share a host of business facilities including a large, multi-purpose function room, eight meeting rooms and four boardrooms. Individually, the Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Financial District property will feature a business centre, swimming pool and health club as well as a restaurant and lobby lounge.  The 110 serviced apartments of DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Riyadh - Financial District will include a full range of options from studios to one and two bedroom apartments. The property will also feature a business centre, health club, swimming pool, lobby lounge and two restaurants, one of which is speciality. The dual development is expected to open Winter 2015.

Dr Raeyd Al-dakheel, CEO of Mawten Hospitality LLC, owner and developer of the dual hotel project, said "This project furthers our commitment to the City of Riyadh to deliver much needed high quality hotel rooms and suites. With Mawten's Real-estate Development Company diverse experience in developing and managing property, our top notch consultants, and the longstanding reputation of Hilton in hospitality; we are looking forward to bring to life a distinctive landmark dual hotel project in the heart of the new sector of Riyadh. This project along with others shows our strong confidence in the Saudi hospitality market."

Adrian Kurre, global head, Hilton Garden Inn said, "Hilton Garden Inn is gaining real momentum in growing business hubs such as Riyadh.  Since opening our first property in the capital three years ago, the brand has become one of the top choices for travellers to the capital seeking quality, mid-market accommodation.  This latest signing in such a prominent development will help us to further establish our uncompromising value for money credentials."

John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton said: "Today's announcement marks the fourth DoubleTree by Hilton property planned for Saudi Arabia and its second in the capital Riyadh.  The DoubleTree Suites option is proving popular with those discriminating guests seeking quality apartment-style accommodation from a brand with a reputation for delivering superior guest service." 

The development of KAFD in KSA's capital is central to the country's vision to become the financial hub of the Gulf and will play a key role in Saudi Arabia's on-going economic diversification. As well as commercial considerations, KAFD is also set to be an energetic upscale community of restaurants, retail and entertainment outlets as well as residential accommodation.  Also planned within KAFD is a large financial academy capable of housing  5000 students.    

With today's announcement, Hilton Worldwide's Saudi Arabia development programme of 20 hotels and over 7000 additional rooms is the largest of any international hospitality provider.  Hilton Worldwide's KSA pipeline also makes up almost one third of the company's total development programme for Middle East & Africa, currently the largest in the region at 59 properties. 

-Ends-

About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,900 hotels and timeshare properties, with 640,000 rooms in 90 countries and territories and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.

Hilton Garden Inn
Hilton Garden Inn is the award-winning, mid-priced brand that continually strives to ensure today's busy travellers have everything they need to be most productive on the road -- from complimentary wired and Wi-Fi Internet access in all guestrooms and public space and PrinterOn mobile printing to the hotel's complimentary 24-hour business center to one of the most comfortable beds with the Garden Sleep System®. So whether on the road for personal or business reasons, Hilton Garden Inn offers the amenities and services for travelers to sleep deep, stay fit, eat well and work smart while away from home.  For more information about Hilton Garden Inn locations throughout North America, Europe and Central America or to find your next getaway, please visit www.HGI.com or call 1-877-STAY-HGI. Hilton Garden Inn is one of Hilton Worldwide's ten market-leading brands.

About DoubleTree by Hilton
With a growing collection of contemporary, upscale accommodations and more than 320 hotels in gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations in 26 countries, DoubleTree by Hilton hotels are distinctively designed properties that provide true comfort to today's business and leisure travellers. From the millions of delighted hotel guests who are welcomed with the brand's legendary, warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in to the advantages of the award-winning Hilton HHonors guest reward programme, each DoubleTree by Hilton guest receives a satisfying stay wherever their travels take them.

To find out information about any DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, travellers may visit our website at www.DoubleTree.com or contact their preferred travel professional. Social media users may connect with us at www.facebook.com/doubletree, www.twitter.com/doubletree and www.youtube.com/doubletreehotels.  For the latest news, story starters and fact sheets about our brand, reporters and bloggers may visit our DoubleTree by Hilton Global Media Centre at www.doubletreebyhiltonglobalmediacenter.com

© Press Release 2013