Press Release: Marriott International, Inc.
August 13, 2002
WASHINGTON, DC -- Ramada International, a division of Marriott International (NYSE:MAR), opened the 96-room Ramada
Hotel & Suites Al-Khobar late last month. This marks Ramada International’s first property in Saudi Arabia
and 140th hotel overall.
The hotel is owned by Mr. Khalid S. Al-Nassar and Mr. Jama S. Al-Nassar, under a franchise agreement with Dahma
Trading & Contracting Company. The company is part of Al-Nassar Trading and Contracting NTC Group, an affiliate
to Rabiah and Nassar Co. (RANCO).
The waterfront Ramada Hotel & Suites Al-Khobar is located in the heart of business and shopping district of
Al-Khobar, one of the main cities in the Eastern Province. Guests have stunning views of the Persian Gulf, Corniche
Road and beach gardens. Considered the gateway to Bahrain, the location attracts tourists and locals alike for
its close proximity to fashion boutiques, fine dining and cafes. The hotel is about 10km from the Dhahran International
Airport and 6km from the King Fahd Causeway.
General Manager Mr. Mazen Aizouki oversees the hotel, which was built in 1996 and renovated in July 1998. Opening
rates begin at SAR 400 (US $106).
Ramada Hotel & Suites Al-Khobar is a full-service hotel catering to the leisure and business markets. The hotel
meets Ramada Hotel & Suites brand standards and is considered a four-star hotel by Saudi Arabian market standards.
For dining and entertainment, the Ramada Hotel & Suites Al-Khobar features The Ninth Floor, serving Middle
Eastern and International Cuisine, in addition to an Italian restaurant called Roma. Guests can also get snacks
and coffee at Café Roma.
Other amenities include a business center, swimming pool and fitness facility.
For conferences and meetings, the hotel offers the 130 square-meter Nahar Hall, which seats 100 people, and the
94 square-meter California Hall, which seats 70 persons.
The Ramada Hotel & Suites Al-Khobar will maintain Ramada International’s five pillars, which are: a restful
sleep, an invigorating shower, a well-trained staff, an exceptional level of cleanliness, and the “Ramada Mornings
Breakfast” – a selection that is hot, delicious and easy.
For reservations at Ramada International Hotels located outside the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii and
Canada, please call the local toll-free phone number or visit our web site at www.ramadainternationalhotel.com.
The phone number and web-site listed can only be used for reservations at Ramada International Hotels outside the
United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR), a leading worldwide hospitality company celebrating its 75th Anniversary
in 2002, has nearly 2,600 operating units in the United States and 65 other countries and territories. Marriott
International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence
Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops
and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton
Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate
housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. Other Marriott businesses include
senior living communities and services, and wholesale food distribution. The company is headquartered in Washington,
D.C., and has approximately 145,000 employees. In fiscal year 2001, Marriott International reported systemwide
sales of $20 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.
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Contact: Richard Oakes Tel: (770) 594-7466 Fax: (770) 594-2394 E-mail: richard.oakes@marriott.com