Hilton Worldwide is set to add the city of Al Ahsa to its Saudi Arabia portfolio, following a signing agreement with Al Jazeera Group, owned by H.E. Sheikh Dr. Jassim bin Nasser bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani.

The 180-room Hilton Al Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is expected to open in 2016 and will be strategically located in the downtown area of Al Ahsa in an upcoming district surrounded by a growing number of residential, retail and commercial developments.

The hotel will have direct access to the city’s main thoroughfares and also enjoy close proximity to Al Ahsa Regional Airport.

Rob Palleschi, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts said: “With a 17-year history in Saudi Arabia, Hilton Hotels & Resorts enjoys a long serving, proud reputation in the Kingdom.

“I am delighted we continue to consolidate our presence by expanding the company’s flagship brand into the new market of Al Ahsa, a city with growing appeal for business and leisure travellers to the region.”

As Al Ahsa continues to develop, Hilton Al Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be well equipped to cater to the growing numbers of travellers.

The hotel will feature a wide variety of restaurants and lounges as well as a wealth of conference and event facilities including a large multi-function room, two boardrooms, four meeting rooms and a business centre. Leisure amenities will include an outdoor pool as well as a separate male and female health club and spa.

As one of the largest oasis regions in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, Al Ahsa is famous for its fertile agricultural business and the abundance of date palms, served by the plentiful reserves of underground water, for which the city is famous.

Al Ahsa also lays claim to many archaeological sites and, as an early trading route stop between the West and the Orient, was celebrated as a significant early centre for commerce.

Modern-day Al Ahsa, located in close proximity to the world’s largest oil field at Ghawar, continues the city’s rich commercial legacy.