Swissotel will manage a 180-bedroom hotel in Saudi Arabia with an emphasis on vitality and fitness. The Swissotel Al Khobar is planned to open in 2019 and will be situated within the MASIC Business Park development, which will include 55,000sq m (592,000sq ft) of retail and office space.

The hotel will feature Swissotel’s signature Purovel Spa & Sport, which – while Alpine-inspired – incorporates unique local elements.

Purovel Spas draw inspiration from the mountains and valleys of Switzerland, using honest materials and soothing shades like greens along with pops of colour to represent flowers in a forest. The Spa & Sport model usually features details like steam showers or hammams along with a fitness element, and the Al Khobar will also include an outdoor rooftop pool.

Developed by Mohammed Ibrahim Al Subeaei & Sons Investment Company (MASIC), the property will feature 20 luxury residential apartments branded under the Swissotel Living concept.

“Continuing our pipeline growth in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a key focus for our world-leading luxury hotel brands,” said Sami Nasser, senior vice president, operations, Middle East, Africa and India for FRHI. “Since our debut in the region over five years ago with our multi-branded hotel complex in Makkah, our brands have been well-positioned to appeal to both business and religious tourism in this increasing sophisticated travel market.”

The Swissotel Al Khobar joins a growing portfolio of FRHI-managed hotels currently under development in Saudi Arabia, including Swissotel, Raffles and Fairmont hotels in Jeddah – all slated to open before 2020 – as well as Fairmont Riyadh, Business Gate, which will open this year.