From left: Louis Durand, Development Manger Accor ME; Olivier Arwarcher (rear), Legal Director Accor ME; Samy Boukhaled (front), Area General Manager Bahrain & Saudi Arabia Sofitel; Rihadh Khahtani, Alsharif Mohamed Nayil Alharith, Robert Gaymer-Jones, CEO Sofitel Worldwide; Gregory Maliassas, SVP Sofitel MEAIO; Alsharif Maher Alharith, Olivier Granet, Director of Development Accor ME; and Salah Oumouden, Vice President Accor KSA.

JEDDAH — Representatives of Al Tamiuz Hotels & Resorts, the hospitality business unit of a large and diversified Saudi company owned and managed by the Al Harith family has appointed Sofitel Hotels, the luxury brand of French Hotel Group Accor, to be manager of their 5-star property in Jeddah.



The signing of the management contract was held in Dubai, in the presence of Accor Middle East Management and Robert Gaymer-Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Sofitel worldwide.



Set in a prime location on the city Corniche with a full sea view, and an easy access from the airport, the new Sofitel Jeddah enjoys a great visibility by being one of the main landmarks high-rise towers of the Corniche.



With its location and facilities, the 5 star luxury hotel will have the capability to combine a diversified mix of clientele, with a main target of international business clientele, and secondary targets including the MICE segment and domestic leisure guests.



The Sofitel Jeddah, which is currently in advanced stage of finalization, is expected to open  in 2014. With its 189 rooms and suites, the hotel will offer to its guests a rich program of facilities, with a strong emphasis on F&B and banqueting, including six food and beverage outlets, beautiful meeting facilities with large pre-function and lounge areas, two swimming pools, a health club, a spa and a squash court, a cinema hall, a kids’ corner, to name a few.



“We believe that the combination of the Sofitel brand with its contemporary and distinguished style will be an added value for Jeddah’s trend of increasing visitors. In years to come, we are confident that the venue will be a real luxury benchmark in the city. Our partnership with Accor, which has a strong presence in Saudi Arabia, will form an important building block to support the lasting success of our hospitality company,” said Sheikh Sharif Al Nayil Al Harith.



The new project is an additional development step for Sofitel in the GCC market with 8 properties, and especially in Saudi Arabia where the brand is already operating in Al-Khobar, and has signed a flagship property in Riyadh which opening is scheduled for 2015.



“We trust there is a great potential for Sofitel in the Middle East and we are delighted to sign a new agreement for this beautiful project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, by blending our different cultures: our French heritage of elegance and lifestyle with the finest of the Islamic culture and the Arabic tradition for hospitality,” Gaymer-Jones said.



Since its repositioning, Sofitel has become a key player in the luxury segment of the hotel industry and today continues to expand in major cities worldwide. — SG