Holiday Inn brings its innovative Open Lobby to ME first time

The brand’s Open Lobby concept combines all public spaces, including the reception area and the restaurant and bar, into one open, lively, and cohesive space.
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Updated 11 July 2023
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Holiday Inn brings its innovative Open Lobby to ME first time

Holiday Inn, one of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ most iconic brands, is bringing its new design hallmarks to the Middle East for the first time, at the newly opened Holiday Inn Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. The opening marks IHG’s expansion of its mainstream brand portfolio across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with the demand created by initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030.

For over 70 years, Holiday Inn has been one of the world’s most recognized and trusted brands and it continues to create memorable experiences for thousands of guests every day. Holiday Inn is an iconic brand that has set industry standards and continues to meet the changing needs of guests by delivering exceptional experiences that can be seen and felt through the new active, open lobby (with a mix of spaces to lounge, dine, and work), elevated food & drink options, and modernized design. 

The brand’s Open Lobby concept combines all public spaces, including the reception area and the restaurant and bar, into one open, lively, and cohesive space. It allows guests to make themselves at home and enjoy their stay on their own terms, whether they’re there to eat, drink, work or socialize.

Newly opened in Saudi Arabia, Holiday Inn Riyadh The Business District features the first brand defining Open Lobby and is a perfect showcase for the modern and engaging public spaces that Holiday Inn has come to be known for globally. 

The Open Lobby will offer a vibrant communal space where guests can relax and connect with friends, family or other travelers, designed with the needs of the modern traveler in mind. The public space includes a contemporary media lounge to unwind with friends, a coffee bar for a chat over a quick bite, and an e-lounge for those who need to catch up on the day’s news or work, whilst still being part of the social vibe of the space. 

Guests will be able to enjoy a “bright place to connect” with stylish and contemporary accommodation in the heart of the business district, all the while being within 10 minutes to King Khalid International Airport and other major business offices. 

Nael Tamim, general manager of Holiday Inn Riyadh, The Business District, said his team is excited to open the doors of this new and innovative Holiday Inn in the Saudi capital and welcome their first guests to the business district. 

 “Reliably familiar, yet refreshingly different, this brand-new Holiday Inn Riyadh the Business District has everything guests need whether they are traveling for business or leisure. With a contemporary look and feel the hotel has been designed to meet the needs of all travelers, including families. Our Open Lobby gives our guests and visitors a warm and welcoming place to relax, work or socialize, the ideal location to enjoy dinner or drinks with colleagues, friends and family,” said Tamim. 

The hotel is home to the Casa Oliva restaurant which serves authentic Italian food alongside innovative fusion options inspired by regional Saudi cuisine, while L’Espresso Bar offers a wide range of coffee selections, drinks, and gourmet café snacks. 

This brand new, purpose-built hotel features 138 contemporary rooms including 18 suites with kitchenettes, two swimming pools, a well-equipped gym, 24/7 concierge service, and versatile meeting spaces. 

Guests will feel right at home in Holiday Inn Riyadh the Business District’s spacious, modern light-filled rooms, each featuring comfortable bedding, large TVs and free unlimited high speed Wifi. Families are well catered for with family rooms and interconnecting suites and the Holiday Inn signature promise that Kids Stay & Eat Free.

This opening is the first in an exciting period of growth for the Holiday Inn brand in the Middle East with other hotels in the pipeline including the opening of Holiday Inn Jeddah Corniche and Holiday Inn Riyadh, Al Malaz in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Holiday Inn Dubai Business Bay in the United Arab Emirates by the end of 2023.

The Business District property joins IHG Hotels & Resorts global portfolio that includes nearly 5,180 open or in pipeline Holiday Inn brand family hotels.


GIB Capital strengthens regional leadership with $2.1bn ICM transactions

Updated 15 December 2025
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GIB Capital strengthens regional leadership with $2.1bn ICM transactions

GIB Capital, one of the region’s leading financial and investment banking advisers, has announced the successful execution of three major international capital markets transactions in November, underscoring the firm’s growing influence and distribution strength across global debt markets.

In a single month, GIB Capital acted in joint lead manager roles across three landmark issuances — supporting clients in the banking, aviation and government sectors — and attracting an aggregate of more than $4.6 billion in investor demand from the Middle East, Europe, Asia, the UK and the US. These transactions, which collectively raised over $2.1 billion, further demonstrate the confidence international investors place in GCC issuers and the strategic value GIB Capital brings to each mandate.

The firm began the month by serving as joint global coordinator, joint lead manager and bookrunner on the inaugural ICM issuance for GIB — Saudi Arabia. The $500 million perpetual non-call 5.5-year additional Tier 1 instrument was priced on Nov. 5 and generated an impressive $1.3 billion in orders, achieving a 2.6-times oversubscribed orderbook. The strong participation from regional, UK, Asian and European investors reflect the bank’s robust credit fundamentals and GIB Capital’s ability to deliver global reach for its clients.

On the same day, GIB Capital also acted as joint lead manager and bookrunner for AviLease’s first-ever ICM transaction — an $850 million bond offering that attracted exceptionally strong interest, closing in at over 3.7 times oversubscribed orderbook. The transaction drew participation from a diverse pool of regional, US, UK, European and Asian investors, highlighting the appeal to Saudi Arabia’s fastest-growing aviation leasing company. 

Further reinforcing its leadership in Islamic finance, GIB Capital concluded the month as joint lead manager and bookrunner on the government of Sharjah’s $750 million sukuk issuance, priced on Nov. 18. The transaction secured $2 billion in orders, representing a 2.6-times oversubscribed orderbook, with interest coming primarily from regional, UK and European accounts. This issuance marked government of Sharjah’s first US dollar public issuance in 2025 and benefited from strong investor confidence toward Sharjah’s credit story and in GIB Capital’s advisory expertise.

Commenting on the milestone month, Osamah Mohammed Shaker, CEO of GIB Capital, said: “These three successful issuances reflect the depth of trust our clients place in GIB Capital and the strength of our distribution network across global markets. The robust oversubscriptions and high-quality investor participation are clear indicators of the continued confidence in GCC credit stories and the resilience of the region’s economic outlook. We remain committed to delivering best-in-class execution, innovative structuring, and strategic advisory that enable our clients to access international liquidity efficiently and competitively.”

With a growing portfolio of successful mandates, GIB Capital continues to expand its presence as a leading provider of debt capital markets solutions, capital markets advisory, mergers and acquisitions, debt advisory, asset management and brokerage services. Combining deep regional insight with global investor connectivity, the firm remains committed to supporting clients across sectors with innovative, tailored, and high-impact financial solutions.