RIYADH – May 20^th, 2024: Marriott International, Inc. and King Abdullah Financial District Development & Management Company (KAFD DMC) announced the signing of an agreement to open a new property from W Hotels within KAFD – Riyadh’s premier business and lifestyle destination. Slated to open in 2025, W Riyadh will offer an urban escape within the capital and will bring the brand’s bold design, elevated service, innovative culinary experiences, and always-on programming to locals and international visitors alike, positioning the property to emerge as an icon of hospitality in Riyadh.  

W Riyadh is expected to feature 210 luxury guest rooms and suites, seven restaurants, retail space, and expansive event and meeting facilities. Design plans for the property also include signature brand spaces such as the Living Room, WET Deck®, AWAY® Spa, and FIT® fitness center, and the hotel will provide the brand’s iconic Whatever/Whenever service.

“In line with the strategic framework of Vision 2030, Riyadh is fast becoming a key regional metropolis attracting global leisure and business travellers alike,” said Chadi Hauch, Regional Vice President, Lodging Development, Middle East, Marriott International. “This monumental signing underscores the increased demand for distinctive luxury brands in the capital and we look forward to working with KAFD DMC to bring the W Hotels vision for innovation, creativity, design, and exploration to the city.”

The signing of W Riyadh is in alignment with KAFD’s strategic vision to broaden and enrich its dynamic lifestyle destinations, attracting both business and leisure travellers with elevated luxury and hospitality offerings.

“The Kingdom has surpassed Vision 2030 tourism expectations seven years ahead of schedule which sets the stage for future growth. As a cornerstone initiative of the Kingdom’s Vision, and in keeping with the new national target of 150 million visitors by 2030, KAFD is primed to stimulate and accommodate these growth plans,” said Gautam Sashittal, CEO, KAFD DMC. “Our collaboration with Marriott International marks a pivotal milestone in our ongoing expansion efforts. W Riyadh is an exciting addition to the company’s hospitality offerings and will help position KAFD as a lifestyle destination of choice.  The project also aims to set new benchmarks in luxury living and hospitality experiences and will help accommodate the high influx of travellers into the Capital.”

W Riyadh will be located in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, a 20-minute drive from King Khaled International Airport. KAFD stands as the world’s largest LEED-certified mixed-use business destination, spanning 1.6 million square metres of office spaces, luxury residences and hotels, retail outlets, and entertainment and cultural venues, designed to transform the way urban communities live, work, learn, and play. A landmark development, from its sustainable design and eco-friendly operations to smart infrastructure and LEED-certified buildings, KAFD epitomises the core values of Vision 2030 of quality of life and sustainable development.

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About Marriott International

Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of nearly 8,900 properties across more than 30 leading brands in 141 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel program.  For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.  In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on X and Instagram.

About W Hotels

Born from the social electricity of New York City, W Hotels has been at the forefront of lifestyle hospitality for over two decades. With nearly 70 destinations around the world, the detail-driven design, signature Whatever/Whenever service, and buzzing Living Rooms cultivate experiences of social connectivity. Each location brings together the magnetic energy of W Hotels and the essence of local culture, creating spaces for new perspectives and a freedom of self-expression. W Hotels is currently undergoing a multi-year brand evolution, to meet the needs of today’s guest and deliver a new generation of luxury lifestyle experiences. For more information on W Hotels, visit w-hotels.com and stay connected on Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, and YouTube. W Hotels is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy^®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including complimentary nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.

About KAFD

Situated in Riyadh, KAFD is an iconic business and lifestyle destination with state-of-the-art physical and digital infrastructure. The destination is owned and managed by King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC), established in 2018. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. KAFD’s 95 buildings, designed by 25 world-leading architectural firms, have reshaped the skyline of Riyadh. The vibrant mixed-use district offers a range of experiences across its area of 1.6 million square meters. It is the most significant development globally to achieve LEED Platinum certification, the highest accreditation from the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council), which recognizes KAFD as a global leader in sustainability.

For further details about KAFD, please visit www.kafd.sa or follow on LinkedIn, “X”  and Instagram.