The New Al Ahsa Inter-Continental Hotel in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia is all set to open this July.

The hotel aims to give leisure and business tourists easy access to centuries-old archaeological, trading and Islamic spiritual sites.

The 166-room property becomes the 11th Inter-Continental hotel operated in Saudi Arabia by Six Continents Hotels, which also manages eight Holiday Inn hotels and resorts, one Crowne Plaza hotel, and seven palaces, in the Kingdom.

"The Al Ahsa Inter-Continental Hotel will meet the highest requirements of Middle Eastern, overseas and expatriate leisure and business travellers. Decor, restaurant selection and the 16th century castle design of the hotel is in keeping with the heritage of the area," says Denis Johnson, vice president, sales and marketing, Six Continents Hotels, Middle East and Africa.

The hotel has been designed in the style of a nearby 16th century castle, Qaser Ibrahim in Al Ahsa, which was the ninth largest population centre in the world in the first millennium.

On the fringe of the Empty Quarter, Al Ahsa is situated on the centuries-old trading routes between the Far East and the Middle East, and boasts the world's largest palm oasis, producing top quality dates. The area also houses the ruins of Jowatha Mosque, near Qara mountain (Jabal Qara), at the heart of the Al Ahsa oasis, which remain a major attraction for today's visitors.

The region contains a variety of 17th and 18th century castles and forts, some still intact and in the process of renovation, as well as the now abandoned port of Al-Uqair - once the hub of the region's maritime trade - and its historic port and castle.

It also features the world's largest oilfields, Al-Ghawar and Sheeba, and the Kingdom's largest gas fields, at Harath and Haouieh.

Within 15 km of Al Hofuf domestic Airport, the Al Ahsa Inter-Continental Hotel has good air, road, and even luxury train links to major Saudi Arabian centres and other Middle East countries.

The hotel boasts royal, presidential, bridal, executive and junior suites with the latest inroom facilities, including modem and voicemail, and an interactive television system providing a remote Internet TV service. Guests can also choose from six fully-serviced, self-catering three-bedroom villas, with a private garden.

With a 2,100 sq m Qaser Al Moua'tamarat conference and convention centre and state-of-the-art banqueting facilities, the hotel is described as a superb venue for a wide range of events, from conferences to product launches and weddings.

The restaurants in the hotel include The Silk Road Restaurant, an open kitchen eatery serving mainly Chinese, Indian and Iranian dishes, The Med Restaurant, which offers both buffet and a la carte Mediterranean cuisine, and Al Bustan Restaurant, boasting an outdoor garden and serving a wide array of Middle Eastern dishes, as well as cocktails.

In addition, Cafe Elite and Al Maha Lounge cater for light refreshments, hot beverages, pastries and cigar selection.

The hotel's Inter-Fit health club and spa features an indoor swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath, steam room, whirlpool, massage, facial treatments and aerobics.