Marriott plans world’s largest Courtyard

The Courtyard Al Naseem - image courtesy of Marriott
Religious tourism is a key part of Saudi Arabia's tourism growth plan, and Marriott is supporting it with the world's largest Courtyard hotel, coming to Makkah

Marriott has signed the latest groundbreaking hotel project in Saudi Arabia, as the kingdom presses ahead towards meeting ambitious tourism targets, set out in its Vision 2030 growth framework.

The new hotel, to be built in the holy pilgrimage city of Makkah, will be the world’s largest Courtyard branded hotel to date. It will feature 2,179 rooms, housed in seven interconnecting towers, combining to create one enormous hotel that is due to open in 2026.

Support for pilgrims

“We are constructing high-quality towers within the Al Naseem District, as part of our ongoing commitment to serve guests and travellers to the Holy Mosque,” said Dr. Abdul Razzaq BinDawood, chairman of Al Qimmah Hospitality Company and Amwaj Real Estate Company, both subsidiaries of BinDawood Trading. “This will be one of our largest developments to date and a continuation of our strategic collaboration with Marriott International.”

Aside from its remarkable room count, the hotel will also include a restaurant with capacity for 1,800 diners, a lobby lounge and a grab’n’go market. Located in the Al Naseem District, the hotel will provide easy access for pilgrims wishing to make their way to the holy shrines.

​​The Courtyard brand was created over 40 years ago by Marriott, in a bid to broaden its hotel offering. The brand has since grown around the world and become a significant part of Marriott’s business, with over 1,300 hotels and circa 200,000 rooms. Predominantly a US brand, with over 1,080 hotels in North America, Courtyard has seen substantial international growth with over 125 hotels now across Asia, and 75 in Europe. In the Middle East there are currently 11 Courtyards, including six open across Saudi Arabia.

Part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan for tourism growth is a target of growing religious and cultural tourism, building visitor numbers in this segment of the market to 30 million a year. And with so many visitors wanting to come to visit the religious sites in the area, the need for more large hotels is clear.

A building boom in Makkah

To meet the growing demand, several major hotel groups are stepping up. Developments in Makkah include another Marriott brand, the 1,376 room Fairfield by Marriott Makkah Ibrahim Al Khalil Road.

Other major hotels in development include the 1,535 room Ibis Styles Tilal Al Naseem, and the 1,200 room Crowne Plaza Makkah Beban, both due for completion and opening during 2025. Other Accor brands including Novotel and Adagio are also represented in the pipeline. Hilton, too, is represented with the Embassy Suites by Hilton King Abdul Aziz Road Makkah currently nearing completion, and plans also for a Hilton Garden Inn. International luxury brands including Taj and Kempinski are also preparing to open hotels in Makkah.

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