Dhahran International Hotel

Worth the journey

This hotel is next to the old Dhahran Airport, now used solely as a military airbase since the new King Fahad Airport at Dammam was opened, and it's nowhere near as busy as it used to be. This is unfortunate for the hotel, as it is one of the best in the area for friendly staff, excellent food, and is very close to the town of Dhahran, the Khobar area, the Dhahran Mall, and the corporate offices of Aramco. It's a good 50 minute taxi ride at around 80/100 riyals from Dammam airport - actually quicker from Bahrain across the causeway which can be done in only 30 minutes.

The rooms are adequate, with queen size beds and effective, quiet, air conditioning.
Food in the Sands Restaurant varies from coffee and sandwiches to a nightly buffet menu at an average cost of 80 - 100 riyals for the buffet.
It can be busy in the restaurant especially on a Friday night with local families out for a meal - always a good sign.

Could do with a bit of refurbishing here and there, but that's just a paint job. As long as they keep the staff attitude as friendly as I found it, I'll certainly return to it.
Only complaint - staff in Sands restaurant are a bit too attentive - hovering around and pouncing on you to lift an empty plate the minute you've put your cutlery down. Back off a bit fellas !!