The first hotel in the country, which is intended exclusively for women, was inaugurated in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. The regulations which are currently in force in the Kingdom provide that a woman (a local resident or a tourist) who is not accompanied by a guardian, who can be her husband, father or somebody else of her agnates, doesn't have the right to stay in a hotel or to book a room by herself. These regulations don't apply to the new hotel for women.

The "Luthan", as this hotel is called, includes 25 rooms and several halls for conferences and receptions. It was built by the initiative of some Saudi business women and was destined to make easier their life and travel round the country.

Prince Sultan ben Salman, who is the head of the Supreme Committee of Tourism in Saudi Arabia, participated in the ceremony of the inauguration of the hotel and told he hoped that soon such hotels would be built in the other cities of the country and it, undoubtedly, would contribute to the development of the business activity of Saudi women.

Saudi Arabia is one of the most severe Muslim countries. Unlike the other Islamic countries, the women in this country are not allowed to drive a car. They are also prohibited to participate in elections. However, over the last few years, the Saudi women have been more actively participating in the social life of the Kingdom.

The St. Valentine's Day has also been prohibited by the Vice Squad of Saudi Arabia as a non-moslem hoiliday that cannot be celebrated and is a sin and contributes to the non-marital relationships between men and women.