-$50 million investment in renowned Riyadh hotel brings unmatched luxury hospitality to the region-

3rd May 2010, RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA: With government initiatives well underway to re-position Riyadh as the major business and financial hub for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, business travel continues to drive the capital city's hospitality sector.  To meet the growing demand of both the corporate and tourism markets in the country, the renowned five-star Al Faisaliah Hotel, A Rosewood Hotel, owned by Al Khozama Management Company (AKMC), announced the completion of the first phase of its ambitious new South Wing extension.  Handover of the first 39 of a total of 106 new ultra-luxurious hotel rooms and suites takes place this month (May). 

Strategically located in the heart of the city's burgeoning business centre, the Al Faisaliah Hotel has been regarded as the preferred address for discerning business travelers, government delegations and visiting dignitaries for over a decade.  It is also the venue of choice for many high profile business and financial events in the Kingdom, including the Global Economic Forum, Euromoney conferences and the annual Saudi Travel & Tourism Investment Market.

 Speaking during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai this week, Peter Finamore, Managing Director of Al Faisaliah Hotel outlined the property's unrivalled positioning in the market:  "The attention to detail, personalized levels of service and unmatched luxury offered at Al Faisaliah have long been the cornerstones of our success, earning us many international awards and a reputation as the leading luxury business and leisure hotel in Saudi Arabia. 

"The new South Wing expansion to the hotel will not only enable us to meet the growing needs of the corporate and leisure sectors in Saudi Arabia, it will create a new level of service and luxury not experienced before in the region."

The US$50 million dollar expansion to the Al Faisaliah Hotel was designed by HH Princess Al Anoud bint Khaled Al Saud, owner and founder of Al Dar Design, and complements the elegance of the original property with a contemporary and equally elegant design.  The new premier rooms and suites, designed in more than a dozen distinct styles, are the most spacious hotel units in the Kingdom with the finest furnishings and state-of-the-art communication and entertainment systems. Every room in the hotel enjoys Al Faisaliah's signature 24-hour butler service.

The new wing also incorporates an exclusive ladies-only spa and wellness centre,  as well as the hotel's sixth dining venue - La Cucina, an innovative- Italian dining experience that promises the freshest, finest Italian cuisine outside of Italy.

The completion of the wing will be phased with the final element, the ladies-only spa and wellness centre, to be completed in October 2010; the property is well positioned to meet the demands of a rapidly growing but discerning business and leisure market in the region.

"Discretion and privacy are new luxuries in today's world, whether in a business or leisure environment, and Al Faisaliah delivers both.  That is why we serve as the meeting point for global leaders and captains of industry, and a welcome retreat for many high profile guests from within the Kingdom and beyond who value discreet splendor and personal privacy," said Finamore. 

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About Al Faisaliah Hotel, A Rosewood Hotel: 
Riyadh's most luxurious property opened in May 2000.  In a city that gracefully melds tradition with sophisticated style, Al Faisaliah Hotels defines the ultimate in modern elegance and prestigious location.  The stunning hotel boasts the largest column-free banquet and meeting facilities in the Kingdom.  With a dedicated 24-hour butler service, the 330-room property has elevated the art of personal service to new levels.  Perfectly suited to the discerning business traveler, Al Faisaliah offers spacious accommodation, technologically advanced in-room communications systems, six culinary venues, a state-of-the-art health club and easy access to world-class shopping. www.alfaisaliahhotel.com

About Al Khozama Management Company (AKMC):
AKMC was originally founded as the direct property investment and management arm of the King Faisal Foundation.  AKMC is a property investment company, based in Riyadh, developing and investing in prime, modern properties and providing property asset management to third party property owners across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.  AKMC owns Al Faisaliah Hotel and Hotel Al Khozama, and manages Al Shohada Hotel in the holy city of Makkah, as part of a larger portfolio. www.akmc.com

About Rosewood Hotels & Resorts:
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts manages properties worldwide including Al Faisaliah Hotel and Hotel Al Khozama in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Rosewood Corniche in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek and Rosewood Crescent Hotel in Dallas, The Carlyle in New York, The Mansion on Peachtree in Atlanta, Rosewood Sand Hill, CordeValle and San Ysidro Ranch in California, Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi in Sante Fe, Las Ventanas al Paraiso and Rosewood Mayakoba in Mexico, and a triumvirate of world-class Caribbean properties - Rosewood Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda, Caneel Bay on St.John and Jumby Bay on Antigua.  Rosewood also offers Sense, A Rosewood Spa® - available exclusively at select properties. www.rosewoodhotels.com

© Press Release 2010