Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH – French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Bertrand Besancenot opened Wednesday ibis hotel in Riyadh as the first internationally 3-star branded economy hotel to be opened in the Kingdom. The opening took place at the hotel itself on Olayya Street, opposite the Kingdom Tower.



Dr Salah Al Bukhayyet, Vice President for Investment in the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA); Yann Caillere, Accor President & Chief Operating Officer; and Sheikh Khaled and Sheikh Fahad Al Turki of Al Mohammadia Al Motahda Co., were present at the opening ceremony, along with some businessmen.



The opening ceremony of the hotel marked the official launch and expansion of the ibis brand of the Accor Group in the Kingdom.



“As part of this expansion, three new ibis hotels in Jeddah, Yanbu, and Al-Khobar are in the pipeline to be opened next year.



Further, the numbers of ibis hotel to be opened in the few coming years will reach to 15,” said Yann Caillere, Accor President & Chief Operating Officer, at the press conference.



“This because of what we have witnessed of the high demand for quality, internationally branded, economy hotels among business and leisure travelers to the Kingdom. The new ibis brand will set a new benchmark in Saudi Arabia and will break new ground in the Kingdom’s hospitality industry by offering the first economy hotel with international standards,” he added.

“We are privileged to be associated with the Al Turki family from Al Mohammadia Al Motahda Group to open our first ibis in the Kingdom”, Caillere added.



ibis Riyadh Olaya Street will bring a fresh modern approach to the economy hotel industry in the country’s capital. ibis has earned a worldwide reputation for excellent services at very competitive prices. Business and leisure travelers can look forward to simple, straightforward service at the best market value.



Sheikh Fahad Al Turki said: “In addition to joining ibis Olayah Street in a global network of 1,500 ibis, we are delighted to partner with Accor, the most reputable leading hotel operators in the world bringing one of its fastest growing brands in the Kingdom.”



Located in Olaya Street and facing the Kingdom Tower, the hotel is right in the center of the city’s busy business district. The hotel offers 176 well-designed and equipped standard rooms, including 16 spacious family twin bedrooms, four rooms for individuals with special needs, and two non-smoking floors.



Guests can enjoy the ibis all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast, while the Open Pasta & Grill restaurant offers well-balanced meals for travelers on the go.



With opening rates starting from SR450, ibis Riyadh Olaya Street offers consistent quality accommodation and features. WiFi is complementary and accessible throughout the hotel.



Accor currently has 12 operational ibis hotels in the region with 2,813 rooms, and 5 additional hotels comprising of 1,110 rooms under development in Saudi cities of Yanbu, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Manama, (Bahrain) and Fujairah (UAE). — SG