Hilton Worldwide president and CEO unveils first Hilton Garden Inn across Middle East and Africa

"This opening marks the entry of our first mid-market, mid-priced brand into the Middle East and Africa, and is expected to be the first of many Hilton Garden Inn hotels in Saudi Arabia that we are developing with the owners, the Al Hokair Group. There is tremendous demand from the business and corporate travel segment for focused service brands like Hilton Garden Inn in this region,"

said Nassetta who is on a tour of the Middle East.

The Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya is the first of many openings within the Strategic Development Agreement signed between Hilton and the Al Hokair Group, and is set to provide Hilton Worldwide with a significant presence across the key development market of Saudi Arabia. Over the next five years, Hilton Worldwide and the Al Hokair Group plan to introduce Hilton Garden Inn hotels across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in locations such as Riyadh, Al Khobar, Dammam, Jubail, King Abdullah Economic City, Taif, Abha, Tabuk, Hail/ Buraydah and Yanbu. The second Hilton Garden Inn is set to open in Riyadh (Al Muroj) in Q4 2010.

Sami Al-Hokair, Executive Vice President of Abdulmohsen Al Hokair and Sons Holding Co., owner of the Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya said, "As we face a surge in domestic and business travel across the Kingdom, Hilton's established credentials and well positioned brands like Hilton Garden Inn will help us manage demand and meet travellers' high expectations."

Hilton Garden Inn has made its foray into the Middle East in tandem with the business sector's growth in demand. The brand, which has more than 450 hotels spread across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Central America, predominantly targets the fast-growing business segment.

Located amidst the bustle of Olaya Street, in the heart of Riyadh's business district, the newly opened Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya features 180 guest rooms and suites equipped with a range of unique lifestyle amenities including:
• Self-adjusting, pressure-relieving Garden Sleep System bed
• Complimentary wired and wireless high-speed internet access
• Secure and remote printing to the business centre
• Work space with an oversized desk and ergonomic Mirra Chair designed by Herman Miller

The hotel also provides a complimentary business centre, three meeting rooms, state-of-the-art Hilton by Precor workout facilities and available Stay Fit Kit™ for in-room workouts. Dining options include the Oasis Grill that serves breakfast lunch and dinner, in addition to room service and the Pavilion Pantry, a 24-hour convenience mart that provides on-the-go snacks and sundries.

"We aim to complement the Kingdom's ever-expanding business industry with quality and efficiency in services and costs. Hilton Garden Inn's experience in other markets gives us an upper hand in anticipating, understanding and catering to guests requirements while remaining flexible to the region's needs," said Jean-Paul Herzog, President, Hilton Worldwide, Middle East & Africa.

Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya is also a participating hotel in Hilton HHonors, Hilton Worldwide's customer loyalty programme that allows members to earn both points and airline miles for the same stay at more than 3,300 hotels worldwide.