IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of a Management Agreement with Al Ajlan Company for InterContinental Hotel & Residences in the Riyadh North area, as well as another Management Agreement with Dana Bay Tourism Company to open InterContinental Al Khobar Dana Bay

Set to open by 2028, the 400-key hotel and serviced apartments will form part of a state-of-the art masterplan comprising of high-end retail, offices and entertainment. The property will strengthen the footprint of this luxury brand while expanding the portfolio of IHG in the Kingdom.

In addition to rooms, the hotel will feature dining options, multipurpose meetings and events rooms, a health club and a spa. Located in proximity to the airport, the hotel will also be strategically positioned to cater to business and leisure demand.

Saudi Arabia represents significant potential for tourism and hospitality industry, as part of its Vision 2030 ambitions. While Riyadh has long been and continues to be a centre for business in the Kingdom, new developments in the north of the city herald a new demand for leisure tourism as well.

This Management Agreement of an exciting new build InterContinental property in Riyadh’s vibrant north district represents IHG’s commitment to support the growing tourism and hospitality ambitions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as part of Vision 2030. With new developments in leisure and entertainment sector across the country, and the introduction of e-visas and a new airline, Riyadh is ready to welcome more diversified tourists to the capital city. With a strong hotel portfolio across all guest segments and a growing regional office in Riyadh, we are prepared to cater to the needs of our owners and guests. […] InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has a legacy and exceptional reputation in Saudi Arabia and around the world. With our new offering in the capital city in partnership with Al Ajlan Company, guests will be able to experience modern luxury through the brand’s hallmarks.

Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG

The tourism and hospitality sector in Saudi Arabia is growing at pace, and represents a true drive from the leadership to diversify our economy in the coming years leading up to 2030. We’ve been proponents of diversification of investments for more than 50 years, and we’re pleased to be making this new foray into the hospitality industry in partnership with a trusted and experienced global brand like IHG.

Ajlan Al Ajlan, CEO, Al Ajlan Company

Scheduled to open its doors to guests in December 2024, InterContinental Al Khobar Dana Bay will be situated just 30km from the city centre and 45km from King Fahed International Airport. The hotel will feature 133 rooms, 90 InterContinental residences, and 36 villas, in addition to offering four dining options, an indoor and outdoor pool, a health club, and a spa. The hotel will also offer a business center and four meeting rooms. 

We are delighted to partner with Dana Bay Tourism Company to open InterContinental Al Khobar Dana Bay in Al Khobar City. The concept and quality of the master plan makes this an exciting new addition, not only to the Eastern Province but also to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. IHG has pioneered luxury travel in new destinations for decades and will now bring the allure of travel to Al Khobar as well. For a city that is so rich in culture and heritage, we believe that InterContinental Al Khobar Dana Bay will offer guests a truly unique travel experience. In line with consumer trends, we expect emerging destinations like Al Khobar to become more popular with travelers who are seeking new and unique experiences.

Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG

We are pleased to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, to bring the renowned InterContinental brand to Dana Bay. The resort is part of a three-phased plan, the first of which includes a waterpark that was completed in 2020. Dana Bay is the largest water-front development in Eastern Province and most popular. I am confident that our partnership will be a huge success as we cater to the needs of the modern business and leisure travellers visiting the city of Al Khobar.

Abdulmohsin Al Rashed, Chairman, Dana Bay Development

IHG currently operates 37 hotels across five brands in Saudi Arabia, including: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, and voco, with 29 hotels in the development pipeline set to open within the next three to five years.