Riyadh gets Middle East’s first Holiday Inn with open lobby concept

IHG Hotels and Resorts recently opened the Holiday Inn Riyadh The Business District in Saudi Arabia.

The new property features the brand’s first open lobby concept in the Middle East.

The concept combines all public spaces, including the reception area, restaurant and bar, into one cohesive space.

The open lobby includes a media lounge, a coffee bar, and an e-lounge equipped with workstations.

Nael Tamim, general manager of Holiday Inn Riyadh The Business District said, “Reliably familiar, yet refreshingly different, this brand-new Holiday Inn Riyadh the Business District has everything guests need whether they are travelling for business or leisure. With a contemporary look and feel the hotel has been designed to meet the needs of all travellers, including families.

“Our open lobby gives our guests and visitors a warm and welcoming place to relax, work or socialise, the ideal location to enjoy dinner or drinks with colleagues, friends and family.”

Holiday Inn Riyadh The Business District

The hotel is located within a 15-minute drive from King Khalid International airport.

The new-build property features 138 rooms including 18 suites with kitchenettes, two swimming pools, a well-equipped gym, 24×7 concierge service, and meeting spaces for events.

The hotel is home to Casa Oliva, a restaurant which serves Italian food alongside innovative fusion options inspired by regional Saudi cuisine. L’Espresso Bar in the lobby offers a range of coffee and gourmet café snacks.

The Business District property joins IHG Hotels and Resorts global portfolio that includes nearly 5,180 Holiday Inn properties which are either open or in the pipeline.

In the Middle East, the pipeline includes the Holiday Inn Jeddah Corniche and Holiday Inn Riyadh, Al Malaz in Saudi Arabia and Holiday Inn Dubai Business Bay in the UAE, all of which are expected to open this year itself.

In related developments, in May this year, IHG signed a master development agreement (MDA) with Tashyid for Hotel Operations to develop 12 hotels, totaling 2,500 keys, under its Holiday Inn Express brand across Saudi Arabia.

This article originally appeared on Business Traveller Middle East