RAMADA OPENS ITS FIRST PROPERTY IN SAUDI ARABIA

6 August 2002

Ramada International, a division of Marriott International (NYSE:MAR), opened the 96-room Ramada Hotel & Suites Al-Khobar late last month. This marks Ramada International’s first property in Saudi Arabia and 140th hotel overall.

The hotel is owned by Mr. Khalid S. Al-Nassar and Mr. Jama S. Al-Nassar, under a franchise agreement with Dahma Trading & Contracting Company. The company is part of Al-Nassar Trading and Contracting NTC Group, an affiliate to Rabiah and Nassar Co. (RANCO).

The waterfront Ramada Hotel & Suites Al-Khobar is located in the heart of business and shopping district of Al-Khobar, one of the main cities in the Eastern Province. Guests have stunning views of the Persian Gulf, Corniche Road and beach gardens. Considered the gateway to Bahrain, the location attracts tourists and locals alike for its close proximity to fashion boutiques, fine dining and cafes. The hotel is about 10km from the Dhahran International Airport and 6km from the King Fahd Causeway.

General Manager Mr. Mazen Aizouki oversees the hotel, which was built in 1996 and renovated in July 1998. Opening rates begin at SAR 400 (US $106).

Ramada Hotel & Suites Al-Khobar is a full-service hotel catering to the leisure and business markets. The hotel meets Ramada Hotel & Suites brand standards and is considered a four-star hotel by Saudi Arabian market standards.

For dining and entertainment, the Ramada Hotel & Suites Al-Khobar features The Ninth Floor, serving Middle Eastern and International Cuisine, in addition to an Italian restaurant called Roma. Guests can also get snacks and coffee at Café Roma. 

Other amenities include a business center, swimming pool and fitness facility. 

For conferences and meetings, the hotel offers the 130 square-meter Nahar Hall, which seats 100 people, and the 94 square-meter California Hall, which seats 70 persons.

The Ramada Hotel & Suites Al-Khobar will maintain Ramada International’s five pillars, which are: a restful sleep, an invigorating shower, a well-trained staff, an exceptional level of cleanliness, and the “Ramada Mornings Breakfast” – a selection that is hot, delicious and easy.