Hyatt Regency opens near holy sites in Mecca

The Hyatt Regency Makkah hotel opened this week in the holy city of Mecca only a few minutes' walk from Al Masjid Al Haram, the most revered holy site in Islam, and centrally located by other nearby Hajj pilgrimage sites.

The new hotel is Hyatt’s first in Saudi Arabia, with another planned to open in Riyadh next year. It will serve pilgrims visiting the Ka’aba in the Al Masjid Al Haram mosque, Mount Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina.

The hotel was opened as part of a wider urban redevelopment project by the Jabla Omar Development Company, which is revitalizing Mecca with new hotel accommodation, commercial and retail spaces, parking, public spaces, and amenities to support religious, social and commercial activities.

Pablo Graf, Hyatt’s senior vice president of operations in Southwest Asia, said the company's aim is to grow “thoughtfully,” with a mind to investing in places where Hyatt can serve specific populations with specialized services. To that end, the hotel offers 656 guestrooms with 26 suites on 19 floors, each of which has been consciously designed for the fulfillment of religious duties. A Royal Suite on the 18th floor looks out over Al Masjid Al Haram, and the hotel was designed with large panoramic views that take advantage of the landscape and natural lighting.

“Hyatt Regency Makkah offers visitors and pilgrims a unique hospitality experience, blending comfort and convenience in an energizing atmosphere,” Hyatt Regency Makkah General Manager Rady Rady said.