Hilton to quadruple its presence in Saudi Arabia, aims to open over 50 new hotels

Hilton currently operates 16 hotels in Saudi Arabia, including Waldorf Astoria Jeddah – Qasr Al Sharq, Conrad Makkah, and Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences

by Neesha Salian

August 5, 2023

Hilton to open over 50 properties in Saudi Arabia onrad Riyadh Laysen Valley

Hilton has announced plans to open more than 50 new hotels across 10 of its brands, making the kingdom the company’s largest pipeline market in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The company has been announcing multiple signings as it works towards expanding its portfolio to more than 75 trading properties across the country.

The latest include the Conrad Riyadh Laysen Valley, and other signings in Abha, Hilton The Point Residences and Canopy by Hilton The Point.

Carlos Khneisser, vice president, Development, Hilton Middle East & Africa, said: “Saudi Arabia’s rapid evolution continues to provide exciting growth opportunities for Hilton, and we’re working closely with our owners to introduce more award-winning hospitality brands in existing and new locations throughout the country. These latest signings are strong examples of our diversified growth in up-and-coming, large-scale developments such as Laysen Valley in Riyadh and our commitment to unlock tourism potential in the secondary cities.”

Hilton and partners aim to grow portfolio in Saudi Arabia

With plans to more than quadruple its presence in Saudi Arabia over the next few years, Hilton is working closely with owners and developers to enhance business and leisure travel destinations throughout the country.

In partnership with Mashareq Investment, Hilton plans to bring its second Conrad Hotels & Resorts property to Saudi Arabia. The 170-key Conrad Riyadh Laysen Valley is expected to open in 2025 opposite the city’s diplomatic quarter at the heart of the Laysen Valley development, one of Riyadh’s most prominent high-end, mixed-use real estate projects.

Hilton also signed two hotels under the flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand and the lifestyle Canopy by Hilton brand in the city of Abha, at the ‘Abha Terraces’ project. Both properties were signed with with Real Estate Development Fund Company, a fund made up of unit-holders from SEDCO and the Tourism Development Fund and managed by Saudi Fransi Capital.

The announcement also follows the signing of Hilton’s memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Tourism Development Fund to develop leisure tourism destinations in Saudi Arabia.

Due to open in 2026, Hilton The Point Residences and Canopy by Hilton The Point will feature a combined total of 250 guest rooms, suites, and residences.

Expected to open its doors in 2028, Canopy by Hilton Porta Jeddah will feature 183 guest rooms and 55 residences, as well as world-class F&B outlets including a specialty restaurant, a rooftop concept – a signature feature of Canopy hotels – as well as a fully equipped fitness centre, an outdoor swimming pool, and nearly 300 square metres of meeting space.

Latest hotel signings for Saudi Arabia include:

Waldorf Astoria Diriyah – expected to open in 2028
LXR Hotels & Resorts Diriyah – expected to open in 2026
Canopy by Hilton Al Khobar Ajdan Waterfront – expected to open in 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton Jeddah Al Andalus Mall – due to open next year
DoubleTree by Hilton Jeddah Al Marwah- tbc
Hampton by Hilton Hafr al-Batin – due to open in 2026.

Hilton currently operates 16 hotels in Saudi Arabia, including Waldorf Astoria Jeddah – Qasr Al Sharq, Conrad Makkah, and Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences.

Its development pipeline of more than 50 properties includes the introduction of new brands like LXR Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, and Hampton by Hilton.