Hyatt signs its first Saudi franchise agreements for three Riyadh hotels

Hyatt has announced its first franchise agreements in Saudi Arabia, signed with Artal Hotels to bring three existing Riyadh hotels into the Unscripted by Hyatt brand. The properties are expected to join in the fourth quarter of 2026, adding a combined 296 rooms and suites to Hyatt’s portfolio and marking a new development in Saudi hospitality franchising.

Franchise agreements with an independent operator

According to a report published by Hotelier Middle East on 6 November 2026, the agreements cover Gardino Hotel Riyadh, Vittori Garden Hotel Riyadh and Vittori Suites Riyadh. They are set to become the first Unscripted by Hyatt properties in the Kingdom when they join the brand. Artal Hotels has appointed Amsa Hospitality to operate all three.

The arrangement combines franchise agreements with Hyatt and a separate operating appointment made by Artal to Amsa Hospitality. This distinction matters: the announcement concerns bringing existing hotels into an international brand’s portfolio, rather than building three new hotels in the capital or opening properties to guests for the first time.

The fourth quarter of 2026 also remains the expected date for joining the brand, not confirmation that the process has already been completed. The announcement therefore establishes that the franchise agreements have been signed and identifies the hotels, operator and accommodation capacity that will enter Hyatt’s portfolio once the transition takes place.

A brand that allows hotels to retain their names and identities

Unscripted by Hyatt is designed for independent hotels, allowing properties to retain their names and identities while gaining access to Hyatt’s distribution network and the World of Hyatt loyalty programme. This is the defining feature of the model the three Riyadh hotels will join: a connection to Hyatt’s wider network without giving up each hotel’s individual name and identity.

Commenting on the agreements, Hyatt said its collaboration with Artal Hotels and Amsa Hospitality would introduce the brand to Riyadh through three distinctive existing hotels, reflecting the individual character of stays under Unscripted by Hyatt. It also said it looked forward to welcoming the properties into its portfolio later in the year.

For those following the franchise sector, the agreements illustrate a model that combines an independent hotel identity with access to the resources of a global brand. The specific elements outlined in the announcement—retaining names and identities, alongside access to distribution and loyalty programmes—explain the proposed relationship more clearly than simply describing it as an increase in hotel numbers.

Three hotels with different locations and facilities

Gardino Hotel Riyadh will offer 99 rooms and suites and is located near areas of the capital with healthcare facilities and universities. Its amenities include an all-day restaurant serving international cuisine, a café, a fitness centre, a spa and a wellness centre. It is one of the three properties set to join Hyatt’s Riyadh portfolio.

Vittori Garden Hotel Riyadh has 131 rooms and suites and is located on the King Fahd service road in the Al Sahafa district. Its location provides access to King Abdullah Financial District, Boulevard City and King Khalid International Airport. Facilities include an all-day restaurant, a café, a fitness centre, a spa and a rooftop swimming pool.

Vittori Suites Riyadh offers 66 suites, most with one or two bedrooms, aimed at guests staying for longer periods. Located within a mixed-use development on King Abdulaziz Road, it will offer an all-day restaurant, a café, a fitness centre, a spa and an indoor swimming pool.

These details show that the properties joining the brand are not identical in their accommodation mix. While Gardino and Vittori Garden offer both rooms and suites, Vittori Suites focuses on suites and longer stays. Together, the three hotels account for the announced addition of 296 rooms and suites to Hyatt’s portfolio.

What does this mean for those following the franchise market?

The significance of the announcement lies in Hyatt signing its first franchise agreements in Saudi Arabia, alongside the planned entry of Unscripted by Hyatt into the Kingdom. It brings these two developments together through existing hotels in a single city, with the operator, total room and suite count, and expected joining date all specified.

For those assessing the franchise market, the case provides a practical illustration of the distinction between a hotel’s identity, the brand it joins and the company responsible for operating it. Under these agreements, the properties retain their names and identities in line with the brand model and gain access to Hyatt’s network and loyalty programme, while Amsa Hospitality operates them under its appointment by Artal Hotels.

Practical takeaway: When assessing a similar hotel franchise model, distinguish between the roles of franchisor and operator, and establish which aspects of its identity the hotel retains and which network services it gains. For the Riyadh agreements, the next milestone to watch is the hotels’ expected entry into the brand in the fourth quarter of 2026.