A new Holiday Inn has opened in Al Khobar in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

"This is the first five-star hotel to open in the Eastern Province in 15 years," says Nabil Hijazi, general manager. "I believe that the timing is exactly right as the growth potential in the area is superb."

Hijazi points out that the Eastern Province has a number of big projects under way and is also the home of Saudi Aramco. "The growth over the past few years together with Prince Mohammed's emphasis on future development provided the need for another five-star hotel," says Hijazi.

Hijazi's target market will be primarily corporate business but the new hotel will also cater for weekend and leisure traffic. The hotel has a total of 106 rooms including suites and an executive floor, and a hall which can accommodate 1,500 people for a sit-down function. It also has two food and beverage outlets, a coffee shop and an Italian restaurant with an outdoor terrace for special functions. Additional facilities include swimming pools, health club, sauna, Jacuzzi and the first specialised Turkish bath in the Eastern Province.

"We have put a special emphasis on wedding, meeting and seminar facilities and I believe our excellent location between A1 Khobar and Dammam provides us with the opportunity to serve the different communities in the area," says Hijazi.

The hotel, which is owned by the A1 Hokair Group, cost SR75 million ($20 million).

"The hotel is small and we are taking a 'boutique' approach with excellent public relations and a highly personalised service relying on regular customer feedback to serve our clients better," he adds.

The hotel is Saudi Arabia's eighth Holiday Inn and the second Holiday Inn to open in Saudi Arabia this year.