Kempinski Hotels, Europe's oldest luxury hotel group, has signed on March 16th the management and operating agreement of its third hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kempinski Al Othman Hotel - Al Khobar, in the oil-rich Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Centrally located in Qashlah Dhahran Road, at the epicentre of the Al Khobar / Dammam / Dhahran conurbation, the hotel is expected to become Al Khobar's leading luxury hotel when it opens its doors at the end of 2012.

The 218 key hotel is being developed by the Al Othman Holding Company, a leading Saudi industrial group active in a wide range of sectors as diverse as hospitality, oil and gas supplies, dairy production and plastics manufacturing.

Kempinski Al Othman Hotel - Al Khobar boasts 141 rooms measuring between 42 and 47 square metres each, 57 suites including two Presidential Suites and an opulent 250-square metre Royal Suite, in addition to 20 elegantly appointed serviced apartments. All feature superior quality furniture and fittings and advanced guest convenience technology. No less than nine restaurants and cafes are sure to bring international innovative cuisine experiences to the local market, making it the most extensive of any hotel in the Eastern Province. The three main restaurants offer a European all day dining experience, a grill restaurant and an Asian speciality eatery. The cafes include the eccentric Skybridge Cafe between the two towers, a Roof Garden cafe, a chic patisserie, a pool snack bar and an Executive Lounge. The 1897 Cigar Bar completes this exciting range of outlets.

The hotel's exciting leisure facilities include a fully equipped gym, a swimming pool and Kempinski's luxury Resense Spa brand – all housed beneath the central plaza of the complex, featuring a signature light well overlooking the pool.

Corporate guests could avail themselves of various facilities on offer including a particularly impressive suite of function rooms comprising two banquet halls, 1,080 square metres each, a spacious pre-function area, four meeting rooms and a full fledge business centre, all complemented with ample parking space for 200 cars; while wireless internet shall be offered throughout the hotel.

"We are very proud to work with the Al Othman Holding Company to open and operate this splendid new property that is equidistant from the three important industrial and domestic tourism centres of Al Khobar, Dhahran and Dammam, and which completes our triumvirate of new hotels in the three main cities in Saudi Arabia," said Ulrich Eckhardt, President Middle East and Africa for Kempinski Hotels.

Abdullah Al Othman, Vice Chairman of the Al Othman Holding Company, said, "We are delighted to have signed this long-term management agreement with Kempinski Hotels and to join its distinguished collection of individual properties both in this region and worldwide. Kempinski's appointment follows an extensive tendering process, throughout which we have been continually impressed with their professionalism and enthusiasm, their flexibility to comply with our requirements and their respect for our local knowledge."

Located just next to the new prestigious twin tower headquarters of Al Othman Holding Company, 20 minutes from the King Fahd Causeway to Bahrain, about 45 minutes from King Fahd International Airport, which serves the Saudi Eastern Province, and with excellent access to Jubail Industrial City and the main Dammam-Riyadh highway, Kempinski Al Othman Hotel - Al Khobar enjoys the perfect location for business guests who would also benefit from being just a stone's throw from Saudi ARAMCO and the local industrial areas.

In addition, the hotel is located close to the enviable shopping amenities of Khobar and the different tourist attractions such as the inviting Corniches of Khobar, Dammam and Qatif with their splendid open sea views.

Kempinski Al Othman Hotel - Al Khobar is the latest addition to the Kempinski Hotels' portfolio of future properties in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which include Kempinski Hotel, Riyadh and Kempinski Hotel, Jeddah which are also expected to open in during the course of 2012.

The Al Othman Holding Company was advised throughout the tendering and contract negotiation processes by the Dubai-based hospitality consultants Viability Management Consultants, and the London-based law firm Oufi Colombotti LLP.

About Kempinski

Created in 1897, Kempinski Hotels is Europe's oldest luxury hotel group. Kempinski's rich heritage of impeccable personal service and superb hospitality is complemented by the exclusivity and individuality of its properties. Today the Kempinski Group operates 82 hotels and residences in 34 countries and currently has more than 25 prestigious projects under development around the globe. Each five-star hotel reflects the strength and success of the Kempinski brand without losing sight of its heritage; each one imbues the quality guests have come to expect from Kempinski while embracing the cultural traditions of its location. The portfolio comprises historic landmark properties, award-winning urban lifestyle hotels, outstanding resorts and prestigious residences. Kempinski is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands. www.kempinski.com www.ghadiscovery.com