PALMA DE MALLORCA—Meliá Hotels International recently announced in its quarterly report a continued commitment to grow at a rate of around one hotel every three weeks, both in consolidated markets and particularly in emerging markets. The company announced that it has plans to open the Gran Meliá Riyadh in Saudi Arabia in 2016. The hotel is already under construction.
The new Gran Meliá Riyadh will be housed in a glass building in the middle of the Saudi capital. The hotel will initially provide 252 rooms, several restaurants, a spa and wellness center, and a convention center measuring approximately 2,500 square meters. Meliá will take an active role in the final design through a technical assistance agreement reached with the owner, thus allowing the company to ensure compliance with the standards demanded by the luxury Gran Meliá brand.
“Saudi Arabia is a fantastic location for the luxury hotel industry, and our Gran Meliá brand will exceed the expectations of discerning, contemporary Arab business and leisure travelers,” said Gabriel Escarrer, founder and chairman. “It is a huge honor for us to sign our first hotel in Saudi Arabia with Al Ajlan Group, a family company with a long and impeccable track record.”
