Carlson Rezidor, one of the most dynamic and largest hotel groups worldwide, announces the signing of five new projects in Saudi Arabia and increases its presence in the Kingdom to 22 hotels and almost 3,889 rooms in operation and under development. The sophisticated upper upscale brand Radisson Blu and the fresh midscale offer Park Inn by Radisson are the group's core brands. The portfolio additions in Saudi Arabia comprise the Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence, Jeddah Corniche (100 rooms and 60 apartments), the Radisson Blu Red Sea Palace Hotel, Jeddah (261 rooms), the Radisson Blu Plaza Residence, Jeddah Salihiyah (120 apartments), the Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Riyadh Nasiriyah (184 rooms), and the Park Inn by Radisson Dammam (90 rooms). “Saudi-Arabia is a key focus country for our group and offers considerable growth potential. We are committed to this emerging market and to our strong business partners whom we thank for their trust in us. Together, we aim to become major players supporting the Kingdom's ambitious development within the travel & tourism sector,” said Wolfgang M. Neumann, President & CEO of Rezidor. “Our focus is on primary and secondary cities like Riyadh and Jeddah. Through the operation of several hotels in such key cities we are able to use commercial synergies and to offer a broad and attractive portfolio to our guests – including apartments for which we see a growing demand from business and leisure guests, especially families”, continued Neumann. The Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence, Jeddah Corniche is scheduled to open in Q1 2017. The new built property will enjoy a prime location on Jeddah's Corniche – overlooking the Red Sea – and will only be 5km away from the international airport King Abdulaziz. Besides 100 stylish guest rooms and 60 serviced apartments, the property will comprise an all-day dining restaurant, a dining hall and a coffee shop. Further offers will include more than 550 sqm meeting space including a banquet hall, a health club & spa, and an outdoor pool. The Radisson Blu Red Sea Palace Hotel, Jeddah is a conversion of the existing Red Sea Palace Hotel and will fly the Radisson Blu flag in Q3 2014. Conveniently located in the downtown area of Jeddah, the hotel is within walking distance from the major shopping and sightseeing spots. It comprises 261 rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, a café and a coffee shop as well we almost 300 sqm of conferencing space, a gym, and a spa. The Radisson Blu Plaza Residence, Jeddah Salihiyah is the conversion of a recently completed apartment building and located on King Abdullah Road, one of the most important axes in Jeddah's south east district. The road hosts numerous corporate offices, commercial developments and two of Jeddah's most famous shopping malls. The residence will welcome the first guests in the first half of 2015 and offer 120 apartments. It will equally feature an all-day dining restaurant, a lobby lounge café, 470 sqm meeting space, a gym, and an outdoor pool. The Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Riyadh Nasiriyah is the conversion of an existing hotel and scheduled to re-open under the Park Inn by Radisson name in late 2014. The building occupies a prime position on Al Matheer street in Riyadh's Nasiriyah district – near many embassies, ministries and banks. The international airport is 40km away. The midmarket property will offer 184 rooms, 2 restaurants, a coffee shop, a gift shop, a 300 sqm ballroom and 2 meeting rooms, a wellness centre, a gym, and a pool. The 90-key Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Damman is centrally located on Corniche Road and comprises two meeting rooms, an all-day dining restaurant and lounge as well as a wellness centre with spa and gym. Set to open during the first quarter of 2015 this conversion will be a typically styled Park Inn by Radisson hotel. — SG
