Hilton Hotels Corporation on Tuesday announced the signing of two management agreements with the Al-Hokair Group to launch the first two Hilton Garden Inn properties in the Middle East - in Saudi Arabia. The first, the 180-room Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya, is scheduled to open mid-2009, followed by the 196-room Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Al-Muroj scheduled to open in first quarter of 2010. The two Hilton Garden Inn properties are the first of many management agreements entered into under the Strategic Development Agreement signed in December 2008 between Hilton and the Al-Hokair Group, and are set to provide Hilton Hotels with a significant presence across the key development market of Saudi Arabia. “Saudi Arabia is one of our principal development markets. We are delighted to have signed the first two management agreements with the Al Hokair Group to introduce the Hilton Garden Inn brand to the Middle East and specifically Saudi Arabia. We look forward to working closely with the Al-Hokair Group on identifying and executing further opportunities within the Kingdom,” said Elie Younes, Vice President, Development, Hilton Hotels, Middle East. Hilton Garden Inn, a Hilton Family of Hotels upscale mid-priced brand, will largely cater to Saudi Arabia's sizeable business traveler segment. The 180-room Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya is located in downtown Riyadh, at the heart of the capital's business and retail district. The hotel, situated near the cross-section of the capital's four main streets - Makkah Road, King Abdullah Road, King Abdul Aziz Road and the Takhasussi Road, is easily accessible from all the major business and trade centres. The 196-room Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Al-Muroj on the North Ring Road will be in close proximity to the wealthiest business corridor in Riyadh, the King Fahadh Road, and the capital's booming financial center, King Abdullah Financial District. Hilton Garden Inn hotels are designed to be highly functional and comfortable, making travel easy and pleasurable.
