Le Meridien has been in Al Khobar for the best part of 20+ years and became a landmark on the Corniche. It has carried on as a 5 Star Hotel through the ups and down of oil boom and bust plus the Gulf War and some local incidents. It is currently going through a substantial refit but retains the unique Arabic style synominous with the region, but with luxury included.
However the new rooms still have the old problems with plumbing and electrical work.

In spite of hightened security in the region, at Le Meridien it is business as usual inside with descreet security and smooth check in/check our protocols handled by pleasant staff.

Food and service is very good at the various restaurants and coffee shop areas but it lacks the ambience of the modern hotels springing up around Le Meridien for lower prices.

The first thing you notice when arriving at the hotel is the security, looks to e very good. You are greeted by courteous staff, the check in is very efficient and they do their outmost to make you feel welcome.

The hotel has been refurbished over the last year (still ongoing in early December 2011) and I was lucky enough to get a room in one of the new rooms. It is an advantage to have SPG membership to get upgraded. I was out of the hotel from early morning to the evening so I never noticed and noise from the work related to the refurbishment.
The decor in the room is modern and elegant with iHome, flat screen TV and WiFi. I recommend you to include internet when you book your room. Unless you plan to do more than sleep in your room, they are big enough. If not, book a junior suite or larger.
The bathroom is nice and clean with white and bluish tiles, the shower is spacious with great showerhead, one thing, be careful when exiting the shower, tiles get very slippery when wet. Use towel on the floor to avoid accidents.

The in-room service is excellent, good food to a reasonable price. The laundry service is great, deliver your clothes in the morning and they will be in your wardrobe when you get back in the evening.
My room was in the end of the corridor and if you like quite rooms ask for similar one, mine was *38.

The new Club Lounge on 12th floor is a huge improvement to the old one, great view and a lot of space lot of services like printing service etc.

I also recommend you to try the Arabian coffee in the lobby, it is great and even better served with sweet dates.

I didn't get the chance to try the restaurants this time but based on previous experience they can be recommend, good food and excellent service.

Check out was also very effective, this one is for you Mohammed! Your service was highly appreciated.

All in all, the hotel is again one of the better ones in Al Khobar, will stay there again on my next trips.

the only thing missing is that there are very little in the room reminding you about Saudi Arabia

First trip to Saudi. Stayed in two hotels and I think their five star is our (rest of the world) four star standard. Got fruit and chocolate daily though and nice pair of slippers got packed accidently.
I was in an unrefurbished room and found it dated and in need of some maintenance, particularly electrical. Wireless only in some rooms - I had to plug in. Note that Saudi internet policed for content and sites, so porn addicts should stay in Bahrain.
Food was nice but buffet prices were extortionate. I recommend room service - good portions for a fair price.
Staff were all welcoming and helpful. I was not charged for missing the first night of my reservation, which was nice... unlike the weekly evacuation practice or daytime building work which will continue for some weeks yet.
Also beware that Al Khobar has a drugs and prostitute problem - you can't get any.

After stunning stays in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, work took me here. Unfair, but this hotel did not compare. Renovation is in some sort of art-deco modernistic style (great, but I am in Saudi Arabia and enjoy the culture and heritage), and small rooms. Not inexpensive either, but there seem to be a lacking of similar level hotels in this area. Clean, secure, comfortable beds. I've been in better in Saudi Arabia, but I can't say this was a terrible stay. It was okay.