Hospitality group Accor has announced plans to open three properties in an upcoming project in Saudi Arabia by Rua Al Madinah Holding Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Located in Madinah in Saudi Arabia, the new openings include a 142-key Fairmont hotel with a 120 Fairmont branded residences component to it, in addition to a 466-key Swissôtel and a 328-key Novotel property.
Inspired by the traditional Madinah architecture, Fairmont Rua Al Madinah will feature 142 rooms and suites, overlooking the Prophet’s Mosque, a variety of dining venues, an exclusive guest lounge, a kids’ club, fitness centre and spa. In addition, it will also include 120 branded residences, featuring a residents’ lobby, lounge and fitness centre.
Novotel Rua Al Madinah will offer guests a direct connection to the Prophet’s Mosque through a pedestrian pathway. The property will offer 328 hotel rooms, along with an all-day dining restaurant and a social hub with a food bar.
Swissôtel Rua Al Madinah will feature 466 rooms, suites and apartments, with a direct view of the Prophet’s Mosque. The hotel will feature an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, an exclusive guest lounge and a lobby lounge café too.
Duncan O’Rourke, CEO Middle East, Africa, Türkiye and Asia Pacific for Premium, Midscale and Economy brands at Accor, said, “We are very proud to sign the first Swissôtel property and strengthen our Novotel offering in the holy city of Madinah. Through these signings our primary goal is to support the diverse offering at the master development of Rua Al Madinah, while continuing a long-term relationship with PIF and accordingly Rua Al Madinah Holding Company.”
Accor has been present in Saudi Arabia for over 20 years and has properties in the holy destination of Makkah, with over 9,000 rooms that have direct access to the Haram. Accor currently operates 42 properties (16,334 keys) in Saudi Arabia, with a pipeline of 35 properties (7,362 keys) in development.
“We are glad to announce the fourth Fairmont property in Saudi Arabia,” said Mark Willis, CEO Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. “We are truly proud to further strengthen our collaboration with PIF, not only confirming our proven management expertise but also establishing the trust to elevate the luxury hospitality landscape in the religious markets of Makkah and Madinah and across the kingdom overall.”
Rua Al Madinah Project’s master plan covers over 1.5 million sqm of space with direct views of Al Masjid al Nabawi, known as the Prophet’s Mosque, and will include 47,000 hotel rooms, with the master plan constituting 63 per cent of open spaces and 37 per cent of built area. It will have integrated transportation, including nine bus stops for visitors and underground parking too.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objective is to attract 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually to the kingdom by 2030.
Apart from Accor, Marriott International recently signed an agreement with Rua Al Madinah Holding Company to open eight hotels in the city of Madinah in Saudi Arabia. The hotels will cumulatively feature approximately 4,400 rooms across eight of Marriott’s brands – The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Westin Hotels and Resorts, Le Méridien Hotels and Resorts, Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft Hotels, and Courtyard by Marriott.
