INTERNATIONAL operator Swissôtel is to open a 1,571-room hotel in the Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, its first property in the Middle East.
The new 53-floor Swissôtel Makkah is due for completion in January 2011 and will include 88 suites.
Half the rooms and suites will enjoy a view of the Grand Mosque.
The development will have four restaurants serving authentic Arabic and European cuisine, an executive lounge, two meeting rooms measuring 75 sq m and a business centre for guest use.
“Since we are at home in so many parts of the world, we are especially pleased that we will now be represented in the Middle East as well,” said Meinhard Huck, president Swissôtel Hotels and Resorts. “We will definitely look into further opportunities for expanding our business in this market in the future.”
The new deluxe hotel will be part of the Abraj Al Bait Complex developed by Saudi Binladin Group in the King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project.