Makkah to get world's largest Holiday Inn

InterContinental Hotels Group has signed an agreement with Al Majd Al Arabiah Company for the world’s largest Holiday Inn hotel.

The 5154-key Holiday Inn Makkah Abraaj Al Tayseer will open in Makkah in 2015 on the site of the current Abraaj Al Tayseer pilgrim accommodation and open in phases.

Nearly 1650 rooms across two towers are scheduled to come online by the end of the year. The remaining 3500 rooms will open over the following three years.

The hotel will be located 900 metres from the Grand Mosque and will offer guests views of the Al Masjid-Al-Haram.

Each tower will house an all-day dining restaurant, with menus for guests travelling in groups. The towers will also feature meeting spaces, fitness centres, and a medical clinic.

IHG chief operating officer India, Middle East & Africa Pascal Gauvin said: “Holiday Inn is one of the world’s most recognised hotels brands, and it’s fitting we are opening our largest Holiday Inn in Makkah. We look forward to receiving guests at Holiday Inn Makkah Abraaj Al Tayseer and are confident they will find their stay comfortable and welcoming – a key feature of Holiday Inn hotels across the globe,” he added.

Al Majd Al Arabiah Company’s Selman Al Fares added: “Saudi Arabia has a distinctive tourism landscape and Makkah is at the core of this for both local and international travellers. IHG as an operator understands the market, and during our years of partnership they have demonstrated their credentials as a strong partner with whom we are happy and comfortable to embark on this ambitious project.

“This is a milestone development for us and we’re confident Holiday Inn Makkah Abraaj Al Tayseer will bring The Holy City’s hospitality to another level. We look forward to the opening of the first two towers later this year.”

In 2013, IHG had signed a contract for the 1238-key Holiday Inn Makkah, which at the time was the largest Holiday Inn property signed.

Saudi Arabia will also be home to the world’s largest hotel. Once completed, the Abraj Kudai in Makkah will comprise 10,000 rooms across 12 towers.

IHG's Saudi Arabia portfolio currently includes 25 hotels operating across three brands - InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn. 

The group has nine properties in the pipeline due to open in the next three to five years.