IHG Group to Open Two New Luxury Hotels in Riyadh

IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed an agreement with the King Abdullah Financial District Management and Development Company (KAFD DMC) to bring two more luxury hotels to Riyadh, which are set to open in 2027.

In an expansion of the IHG-KAFD partnership, Regent Riyadh KAFD and InterContinental Riyadh KAFD are poised to complement the region’s first Kimpton at KAFD, which is set to debut by the end of 2024 as part of the agreement established last year, bringing its total to three properties in KAFD.

Set in the heart of the Saudi capital, Riyadh, KAFD is the first vertical city in the Kingdom that is home to a unique 5-asset class mixed-use district of office spaces, luxury residences and hotels, retail outlets, and entertainment and cultural venues, across a land area of 1.6 sq km, designed to transform the way urban communities live, work, learn, and play.

Regent Riyadh KAFD will mark IHG’s inaugural Regent property in Riyadh, promising unparalleled experiences characterised by serene touches, thoughtful contrasts, and imaginative extravaganzas. The 250-keys hotel will feature a signature restaurant, two specialty restaurants, a tea lounge, and two cafes.

Beyond its culinary offerings, Regent Riyadh KAFD will also have a luxury fitness facility and a Regent Spa. The hotel will also offer a Grand Ballroom, meeting rooms, VIP, and Bridal Suites.

InterContinental Riyadh KAFD will debut as a captivating haven, inviting guests into a world of fascination with unique perspectives and an indelible beacon of hospitality and cultural immersion. Featuring 400 keys, the hotel will showcase five food and beverage outlets, including a signature offering, two specialty restaurants, and a lobby lounge.

InterContinental Riyadh KAFD will also offer conferencing facilities, a fitness center spa, a swimming pool, and an indoor recreation area within a Retail Business Centre located in proximity.

Saudi Tourism Booming

Haitham Mattar, Managing Director – India, Middle East and Africa at IHG Hotels and Resorts said that Riyadh was undergoing a massive transformation, and locations like KAFD increase the number of investments into the city and the wider Kingdom.

“We remain committed to the Kingdom’s visionary ambitions through our expanding portfolio of hotels and confident in our partnership with KAFD to cater to the growing demand for luxury guest experiences in the region with the two new luxury hotels,” he said.

KAFD DMC CEO Gautam Sashittal said that Saudi Arabia’s tourism has been booming like never before, seeing a 58% increase in visitor numbers and ranking second globally in terms of tourist arrivals during the first seven months of 2023.

He further said that the Kingdom counted over 100 million tourists last year, collectively spending $26.66 billion, and these numbers are poised to grow, with a national target of 150 million by 2030.

“Now, as a full-fledged business district active around the clock evolving into a vibrant lifestyle destination as well, KAFD stands poised to emerge as a key focal point for both business and leisure travellers,” he added.

IHG currently operates 43 hotels across six brands in Saudi Arabia, including Six Senses, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, voco, and Staybridge Suites, and has a strong pipeline of 32 hotels due to open in the next 2-5 years.