Following Hotelier’s report last month of Jabal Omar’s three-hotel deal with Starwood in the city of Makkah, it has been confirmed that the agreement will add 1496 rooms to the Holy city under three Starwood brands.
The rooms will be provided under the company's Sheraton, Westin and Four Points by Sheraton brands when the hotels open, which is slated as 2015, joining a total of 26 hotels offering a massive 11,000 rooms at the $5.3 billion development close to Makkah’s Grand Mosque.
Starwood currently operates 10 properties in Saudi Arabia, the second largest market for the company in the Middle East behind the UAE.
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President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East, Michael Wale said: "We are delighted to work with Jabal Omar Development Company as we introduce the Sheraton, Westin and Four Points by Sheraton brands to the holy city of Makkah.
"As business travel and religious tourism continue to expand in Saudi Arabia, we believe the time is right to expand our portfolio in the country."
H.E. Abdul Rahman Abdul Qadir Fakieh, chairman of the board for Jabal Omar Development Company also commented on the collaboration, stating: "We are excited to partner with Starwood to bring three of their world-class brands to Makkah.
“We believe the addition of these hotels is in line with the goal of the Jabal Omar Development to improve and urbanize the central area surrounding Al Haram and provide much needed facilities and accommodations for pilgrims."
Al Haram, the Jabal Omar Development, is a 230,000 sq m mixed-use development in Makkah comprised of 38 high-rise buildings. The complex is claimed to be one of the largest hotel developments in the world.
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