"This is going to be our 77th hotel in the world and eighth in the Gulf region," Kharazmi told a press conference, adding that the last one was opened in Oman following the Ritz Carlton in DIFC in Dubai. "We'll have one more in Abu Dhabi in May next year," he said, adding that the company has plans to open another hotel in Jeddah.
The palatial hotel, with 493 rooms and suites, is prominently situated next to the Diplomatic Quarter and adjacent to the King Abdul Aziz Convention Centre, one of the largest in the region and host to international summits and conferences.
The Ministry of Finance owns the building and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC, will manage the hotel.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC of Chevy Chase, Maryland, currently operates 76 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. It claims to be the only service company to have twice earned the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which recognizes outstanding customer service.
Designed by Al-Rasheed Engineering Company and constructed by Oger International, The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh regally faces spectacular fountains fronting a one kilometer driveway. Originally envisioned as a royal guest palace for visiting dignitaries and heads of state, the hotel's stately architecture is modeled on traditional palaces and elegant Arabian residences, with ochre facades blending gracefully with the verdant landscape of the gardens. Native palms, 600-year old olive trees from Lebanon, and water fountains abound on the property, providing an oasis of serenity amidst the city centre.
"This majestic hotel's prime location in the literal heart of the Arabian Peninsula offers many significant advantages to visiting guests and dignitaries," the official said. "We are privileged to be managing this spectacular palace which fits our luxury brand perfectly, and we are extremely proud that The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh represents our first hotel into the Kingdom," he added.
Currently, he said the hotel has recruited 380 hotel staff from 25 nationalities and 50 trainers are training them. "At present, we have 20 percent Saudis including local women working in finance, public relations, human resources and other departments in the hotel," he said, adding that the hotel will visit Kingdom's universities to recruit more Saudi graduates.
"We'll give more job opportunities for young Saudis who are interested in the hospitality trade," he said pointing out that the hotel's target is to reach 30 percent of Saudi staff very soon.
