Saudi operator launched to run new hotel cluster

Abdul Latif Jameel Real Estate Investment Co. (ALJREIC) - focused on developing hotel facilities for Hajj and Ummrah visitors - has announced the launch of its new full-service hospitality brand ‘Anjum Hotels’.

The brand will primarily operate ALJREIC’s SAR 10 billion Jabal Al Ka’aba project in Makkah, which will feature up to 8,500 hotel rooms in a cluster of hotels over the next few years.

The flagship of ‘Anjum Hotels’ brand will be Anjum Makkah Hotel, a 1,795 room Sharia-compliant hotel that will be part of the first phase of the Jabal Al Ka’aba project.

Set to open in early 2013, Anjum Makkah, the largest and the first hotel within the project, will introduce a novel hotel concept to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, presenting a perfect blend of spirituality and genuine Hijazi hospitality, the company said.

Chief operating officer of ALIREIC, Mahmoud Mokhtar, said the launch came in line with the company’s aim of creating a “Saudi-cultured, spiritual hotel experience unlike any other”.

“The flagship hotel of the brand Anjum Makkah perfectly embodies this goal and is expected to efficiently serve the needs of Hajj and Ummrah visitors when it opens in early 2013, especially given its close proximity to the Holy Haram,” he explained.

Explaining the origin of the brand name ‘Anjum’, Mokhtar said, “In Arabic, Anjum means ‘constellation of constellations’. Anjum is the plural of ‘Nojoum’, which is the plural of the word ‘Najmah’ – ‘A Star’. Thus, inspired by the guidance provided by the stars, we have created a truly unique spiritual hotel experience.”

Anjum Makkah will offer an array of services such as a dedicated guest centre to respond to the various requests of the guests; a ‘Manasek Desk’ to assist guests throughout their religious rituals; furthermore, the Kids World featuring a specialised, trained team to look after children between the ages of 3 and 7; and the ‘Azad Floors’ which will offer premium services to its guests.

The hotel will also feature 26 air-conditioned elevators, each with a 16-guest capacity, which will address the heavy traffic situation expected during prayer times.