Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of a management agreement with Dar Al Bayan Real Estate Development Co. for the first Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The 430-key Hilton Al Jubail is scheduled to open in Q1 2014.

Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts said: “Hilton Al Jubail marks our entry into a new key city in the Kingdom. With 93-years of experience, global expertise, and the ability to tailor to our local communities, Hilton Al Jubail will ably support the city’s development into a business and tourism center.”

The hotel, located on the Al Jubail corniche, will be one of the few waterfront developments being built, adjacent to the upcoming marina and in close proximity to Industrial Zone 1, the city’s business hub. Construction of the 400-room and 30-suite chalets hotel is scheduled to start early next year. The property will feature two specialty restaurants, an all-day dining restaurant and a lobby lounge. The facilities will include four meetings rooms, two boardrooms, a 700-sq m ballroom, business centre, executive lounge, private beach, outdoor swimming pools and a health club.

“Al Jubail is of strategic importance to Hilton Worldwide’s development plans in Saudi Arabia - its growing significance to the economy and its coastal location, makes it one of the most dynamic cities in the region, attracting both regional and international. We are delighted to partner with Dar Al Bayan Real Estate Development Co. and look forward to expanding our brand footprint into the eastern province,” said Rudi Jagersbacher, area president, Middle East & Africa, Hilton Worldwide.

The hotel will be designed as a city resort to meet the requirements of the business and leisure tourism markets. Demand will be driven by the industrial sectors with medium to long-stay business and meetings and conferences, as well the domestic and expatriate weekend vacation market.

“We are happy to partner with Hilton Worldwide to launch the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand in Al Jubail and bring the brand’s world-class hospitality standards to the city. This is our first deal with Hilton Worldwide and we hope it will pave the way for future partnerships that will strengthen Al Jubail’s tourism industry and support Hilton Worldwide’s presence in the Kingdom,” stated Mohamad Obaid Abed Al Rahman Al Hamed, Chairman, Al Bayan Group Holding.

Hilton Worldwide currently has six hotels operating and 13 hotels in the development pipeline in Saudi Arabia.