Double win for Fairmont's Makkah hotels

Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel, was named the Leading New Hotel in the Middle East yesterday, while sister hotel Raffles Makkah Palace was named the Middle East's Leading Luxury Hotel, at the Middle East World Travel Awards 2011.

The joint win came despite both properties being open for less than one year.

Fairmont Raffles Hotels International vice president and managing director Mohammed Arkobi said "This is fantastic, i'm absolutely ecstatic.

"It is great for the hotels, especially considering how long they have been open, and it is also a great personal achievement for me," he added.

Fairmont's third property in Makkah - Swissotel Makkah - is due to open this year.