I first visited this hotel over 25 years ago when the the main airport was just across the road. When the airport relocated and became less busy before becoming famous as the CNN conference centre during the Gulf War. A few years ago it could be described as tired and jaded and the five stars seemed to be optimistic. The hotel is now in recovery, the stars are regaining some polish. I've stayed there several times recently and the rooms have been redecorated and are quite comfortable. The restaurant is quite good and has the same themed evenings that it had twenty years ago, the breakfast is excellent and it is included in the room rate. The entrance lobby is much the same as it has always been. The hotel is conveniently located for Al-Khobar and Dhahran. It's not really the full five stars but it's good enough for business trips and I've even stayed there a few times with the family. The open air pool is very clean and is great for relaxing in the evening.

The hotel was chosen for me by my client in Saudi. Its location near the old international airport (now a restricted airbase) implies that it was once the premier accommodation when flying into Dhahran. That is not the case any more.

If you read my other posts, you'll know that I am not generally a complainer.

Pro:
My client paid for it for me.

Cons:
There was no security, x-ray machine, or metal detector at the entrance.
The rooms were small and outdated.
The carpets in the hallways were stained.
The whole building smelled musty.
I did see a few security guards while I was there but they were always sitting upstairs in the hallway on some chairs playing games on their phones.
The counter staff had poor English and it was difficult to make car arrangements and such.
The hotel's restaurant- The Sands- is another whole story. The food was terrible, and quite expensive.
The hotel uses old-school keys. It's quaint in Italy, but low tech and unsecure in KSA.

It is worth the extra expense to stay in Khobar at a nice hotel.