Riyadh, KSA – December 15, 2021 – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced today the signing of the latest property from LXR Hotels & Resorts, the company’s collection of independent luxury properties, in Diriyah, Riyadh, KSA. Projected to open by 2026, this captivating boutique resort represents the brand’s introduction to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and will be located within Diriyah, an 11-square kilometre development that is set to redefine luxury living complete with high-end retail offerings, lavish restaurants, residential and administrative buildings, educational institutions, recreational spaces, and galleries and museums.
Nestled in the historic Wadi Hanifah, the retreat is to house 80 immaculately designed guest rooms and enchanting villas. Offering a nearby lush escape of tranquillity and relaxation for those looking to explore the vibrant Diriyah development, guests will enjoy easy access to the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, the home of the first Saudi State. Moreover, the annual ‘Diriyah Season’ will create a sought-after destination, hosting a myriad of sports and entertainment events, bringing together local and internationally renowned figures during the month-long festival.
“Bringing the LXR Hotels & Resorts brand to Diriyah is yet another step in our ambitious growth plan Hilton has for the Kingdom. KSA is a strategic market for us within the Middle East, where we already have a strong presence and aim to further expand on it,” said Carlos Khneisser, Vice President, Development, Middle East & Africa, Hilton. “In the coming few years, we aim to have opened 75 hotels in the Kingdom, and we continue to look for more opportunities to expand our presence within the rapidly growing market of KSA.”
Designed to be an oasis of serenity, the property will house more than 800sqm of spa for guests to rejuvenate through holistic healing and enjoy handpicked treatments. The hotel is also designed to host meetings and group retreats, as it houses multi-functional rooms for meeting spaces. This coupled with indoor and outdoor pools, an all-day dining restaurant, a speciality restaurant, and pool and lobby lounges.
Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority said:
“The vision for Diriyah is to create one of the world’s greatest global gathering places, as such, our partnership with Hilton will introduce the luxury LXR Hotels & Resorts brand to the region, bringing a new vision to our collection of the world’s finest hospitality brands. We’re enthusiastic about this offering and are looking forward to future opportunities and the possibility of bringing more of Hilton’s brands to Diriyah and the Kingdom.”
The resort will join LXR’s exclusive global collection of bespoke properties, each representing their unique location and offering a singular travel experience native to its place, history, culture and traditions.
“It’s an honour to introduce LXR to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a distinctive offering showcasing Wadi Hanifah within the iconic Diriyah development and continue our curated Middle East expansion,” said Feisal Jaffer, global head, LXR Hotels & Resorts. “We look forward to bringing our unique ethos to this culturally significant destination, elegantly combining Diriyah’s rich heritage with LXR’s unrivalled commitment to personalized service and exceptional experiences for our guests.”
The hotel will participate in Hilton Honors®, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 world-class brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else and free standard Wi-Fi.
Hilton currently operates 15 hotels in KSA, and already has another 46 under development. The company plans to expand its operations to more than 75 properties in the next few years in Saudi Arabia, including the introduction of new brands such as LXR Hotels & Resorts, Curio Collection by Hilton, Canopy by Hilton and Embassy by Hilton.
About Diriyah
Diriyah is set to become Saudi Arabia’s foremost historical, cultural and lifestyle destination. As part of the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision, 11 square kilometres of Diriyah will be transformed into one of the world’s foremost historic tourism destinations.
Diriyah is located within Riyadh province, just 15 minutes north-west of Riyadh’s city centre. It is recognised as a symbolic centre of inspiration for the generations of leaders that have led the Kingdom since the foundation of the first Saudi Arabian state in 1744.
As the renewed cultural and historic capital of the nation, Diriyah will be designed and built with Saudi traditions and heritage in mind. The mixed-use traditional urban community will be created in an authentic Najdi architectural style, typical of Saudi villages of centuries past. Sitting at the cultural heart of Diriyah lies the historic city of At-Turaif. Built in 1766, At-Turaif is recognised as one of the world’s foremost mud-brick cities. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, it is today set to become one of the nation’s must-see historic destinations.
With cultural and lifestyle experiences at its heart, Diriyah will be enriched by entertainment, learning, shopping, dining, hospitality, residential and workplace offerings. On completion, it will be home to a population of 100,000 residents, workers, students and visitors and will celebrate the rich cultural history of Saudi Arabia.
The development will feature an array of world-class cultural, entertainment, retail, hospitality, educational, office and residential areas, including 38 hotels, a diverse collection of museums, a bustling retail heart and over 100 places to dine. The existing Bujairi Terrace will soon be home to Riyadh’s new premium dining hub, enjoying uninterrupted views of At-Turaif; and the 141-key Samhan Heritage Hotel. Wadi Hanifah, a two square kilometre space accessible from the escarpment walk, will provide passive and active recreational spaces and boutique hospitality venues; places to unwind and spend the afternoon with family and friends in the beautiful wadi surroundings.
About Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA)
Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) was established in July 2017 to preserve Diriyah’s history, celebrate its community and develop the historic UNESCO World Heritage site of At-Turaif into one of the world’s greatest gathering places at the heart of Saudi Arabian culture and heritage.
We are focused on the protection and preservation of the Kingdom’s history including the stories of our forefathers as well as our physical heritage. In line with design, development and preservation standards, DGDA will create an environment that enhances Diriyah’s historic, national and international relevance including the preservation of At-Turaif.
DGDA is transforming Diriyah into one of the region’s foremost destinations for cultural knowledge-sharing activities and international events. We aspire to develop Diriyah into a global gathering place by creating rich experiences that narrate the stories of our history, instilling a sense of Saudi Arabian pride and creating globally renowned destinations and landmarks. The Authority is ensuring Diriyah’s cultural landmarks are complemented by leading hospitality brands, fine dining experiences and world-class retail offerings.
We are devoted to enabling the people of Diriyah to achieve their goals. DGDA will celebrate the local community, showing social, cultural and historical achievements, connecting with the roots of the Saudi state and creating solid foundations on which to build the best possible future for the community.
DGDA works alongside Diriyah’s executive bodies, as the primary regulator for the supervisory area (190sqkm) and will exercise best practice in Land Management, and Building Permit and License issuance and oversight.
About Diriyah Development Company
Diriyah Development Company (DevCo) is a subsidiary entity within DGDA which is responsible for the design, development and delivery aspects of the project. It was set up in 2021 as part of the authority’s growth acceleration plans, with the new structure helping DGDA to prepare for imminent and expedited expansion.
