The anticipated openings are from eight of the company’s brands – The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft Hotels, and Courtyard by Marriott.
Massive masterplan
Located in close proximity to the Al Masjid An Nabawi mosque, the planned properties will be part of the Rua Al Madinah Project and comprise nearly 4,400 rooms.
The entire development is expected to cover 1.5 million sq m, including 47,000 new rooms by 2030. Approximately 63% of the project’s master plan will consist of open spaces.
Ostentatious octet
The eight planned Marriott properties include The Ritz-Carlton, Rua Al Madinah which is slated to offer 151 luxury rooms and suites including a signature Ritz-Carlton suite, multiple dining concepts, a 500 sq m ballroom, an expansive fitness centre and Ritz Kids space.
JW Marriott Rua Al Madinah is anticipated to feature 252 guestrooms and suites along with multiple dining concepts, a fitness centre and meeting room facilities.
Full set
Plans for Madinah Marriott Hotel Rua Al Madinah include 450 guestrooms and suites in addition to dining, recreation, and meeting facilities. Le Méridien Rua Al Madinah is expected to feature 533 modern guestrooms and suites, and three dining concepts alongside recreation and meeting facilities. While The Westin Rua Al Madinah is anticipated to comprise 361 spacious rooms and suites, three dining outlets, a fitness centre, a kids club, and meeting facilities.
Four Points by Sheraton Rua Al Madinah anticipates 777 modern rooms and apartments, two all-day dining concepts, spacious meeting facilities, and a fitness centre. Aloft Rua Al Madinah and Courtyard by Marriott Rua Al Madinah are expected to offer a combined 1,810 rooms and suites, 1,100 sq m of meeting space facilities, and multiple dining and recreation offerings.
High quality demand
Satya Anand, president, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International, said: “There is a strong demand for high-quality hotel accommodation in Madinah and we are delighted to work with Rua Al Madinah Holding Company to support the enhancement and diversification of the city’s hospitality landscape. This multi-deal agreement also strengthens our footprint in Saudi Arabia where we continue to see strong growth momentum in line with the Kingdom’s vision for its tourism sector.”
Eng. Ahmed Al Juhani, CEO of Rua Al Madinah Holding Company commented: “The agreement with one of the world’s leading hospitality operators brings the Rua Al Madinah project a step closer to realising its ambitions to further enrich Madinah city’s Hajj and Umrah services. This collaboration will culminate in the launch of eight new hotels and nearly 4.400 rooms that will serve both residents as well as visitors from around the world looking to visit Madinah.”
Commitment to Saudi
The expected openings in Madinah are part of Marriott’s commitment to the growth of the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia where the company’s current portfolio encompasses 36 properties and more than 10,000 rooms across 11 of its brands.
Also in the pipeline for the group are The Red Sea Edition, delivering 240 keys as part of the Red Sea Development Project in Al Wajh in Q1 2024; in Jeddah, Delta Hotels by Marriott Jeddah Al Salam will add a further 181 rooms in Q4 2024; plus the mammoth 2,600-key Fairfield by Marriott Makkah Al Naseem is set to rise in five towers in Makkah’s Al Naseem district, with completion slated for Q1 2025.
