Tourism & Hospitality | Monday 15 August, 2016 3:56 am |

Despite the numerous expansion projects underway in the Holy City of Makkah, the number of pilgrims making their way to the region during the Holy Month of Ramadan was barely affected as more than 6.3 million visitors came to the city.

Makkah, the direction of all Muslims, offers lodgings to pilgrims of all means, but it was the luxury lodgings sector that thrived during this year’s Holy Month and is expected to continue to grow in the future. By the end of Ramadan this year, there were 162,000 hotel rooms in the city, 13% of which were in five-star properties.

“Makkah Marriott Hotel is the chain’s first flagship brand to open in Makkah,” said Moataz El-Tabei, Director of Sales & Marketing at the Makkah Marriott Hotel. “Because of the location, we opted for a luxurious, arabesque theme, both in terms of architecture and interior design. Beyond such highly atmospheric aesthetics, the Makkah Marriott Hotel offers other very attractive features such as close proximity to the Haram, panoramic views of the Holy Area and the entire city, and extreme comfort for elite pilgrims. We have truly joined the ranks of desirable, high-end hospitality facilities as this year, hosting more than 3,500 pilgrims in an atmosphere of opulent luxury and comfort. That translates into a 75% occupancy.”

The Marriott Makkah Hotel offers 426 spacious and luxurious rooms, including 52 suites. In addition to the spiritual atmosphere offered by the hotel and its proximity to the Haram, guests can enjoy the hotel’s outstanding services, its opulent luxury and unparalleled comfort.

“We know that our guests have options,” continued El-Tabei, “so we showed our appreciation for their patronage by serving everyone free Iftar meal that was carefully prepared by the city’s best chefs.”

Thrilled by the success of Ramadan, the hotel has already begun preparations for the next Hajj season when the same number of guests are expected to arrive. 

“We are already doing everything possible to provide the next wave of pilgrims with an unprecedented experience, one that will grant them full serenity and spirituality during their stay in Makkah,” El-Tabei concluded.

In order for reservations to be made as efficiently and as easily as possible, guests can use Marriott’s mobile application, which allows visitors to check in prior to their arrival and receive an automatic notification that their room is ready. Then, they can use the application for a fast check-in and check-out.

Makkah Marriott Hotel also features other luxurious facilities, including a business center with its own meeting rooms, a gift shop, a taxi service, free underground parking and free internet connectivity. In addition, guests can enroll in the Marriott Rewards program that offers attractive benefits.