The world’s largest hotel – which would boast a colossal 10,000 rooms – could open in Mecca as early as next year. Abraj Kudai, to be built a mile south of the world's largestmosqueandIslam's most sacred site, theMasjid al-Haram, is modelled on a “traditional desert fortress”, though that vision looks to have been distorted if the architect renderings are anything to go by.
Presenting the world's largest hotel, an architectural marvel that takes another step towards transforming the landscape into 'Mecca-hattan'. This grand establishment promises opulent accommodations for affluent pilgrims, a dedicated wing for the esteemed Saudi royal family, an array of extravagant shopping malls, a multitude of fine dining options that could keep you satisfied for a month, and a lavishly designed ballroom. Prepare to be amazed by the following captivating statistics:
Abraj Kudai in numbers
10,000
Behold, a colossal 10,000 rooms await guests.
12
The hotel boasts an impressive ensemble of 12 towers, with 10 specially designed to provide four-star accommodations while the remaining two cater exclusively to five-star guests.
45
The towering landmarks encompass a magnificent range of 45 floors, ensuring awe-inspiring views from the highest points.
5
In recognition of royal prestige, there will be five dedicated floors exclusively reserved for the use of the esteemed Saudi royal family.
4
Embark on a thrilling experience as you witness the presence of no less than four helipads, as depicted in the computer-generated images.
70
An excessive selection of 70 exceptional restaurants awaits to satisfy the discerning palates of guests.
$3.5bn
Marvel at the exorbitant cost of construction amounting to an impressive $3.5 billion (equivalent to £2.7bn).
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64,000 m²
The building stands on an expansive footprint spanning over 64,000 square meters, captivating onlookers with its grandeur.
1,400,000 m²
Prepare to be astonished by the sheer magnitude of the hotel's total floor area, which encompasses a staggering 1,400,000 square meters.
2017
The hotel eagerly anticipates welcoming its first guests in 2017, although potential funding challenges may cause delays until at least 2018.
2,000,000
Experience the influx of two million pilgrims annually as they embark on the sacred journey to Mecca for the Hajj.
20,000,000
Every year, a staggering 20 million individuals from across the globe visit the city of Mecca, embracing its profound cultural heritage.
Mecca-hattan
Mecca’s building spree last year prompted Irfan Al-Alawi, director of the UK-basedIslamic Heritage Research Foundation, to describe the city as “Mecca-hattan”.
“Everything has been swept away to make way for the incessant march of luxury hotels, which are destroying the sanctity of the place and pricing normal pilgrims out,” he told. “These are the last days of Mecca. The pilgrimage is supposed to be a spartan, simple rite of passage, but it has turned into an experience closer to Las Vegas, which most pilgrims simply can’t afford.”
The city’s skyline is dominated by the impressive Abraj Al-Bait Towers, with one of them standing as the world's third tallest building at a staggering height of 601 meters. This iconic structure houses a massive hotel, encompassing the world's largest clock face measuring 141ft x 141ft. Additionally, it boasts a sprawling prayer room accommodating up to 10,000 people and a five-storey shopping mall, providing visitors with a truly unique experience.
Rising above the sacred Masjid al-Haram, this architectural marvel offers unparalleled views of the Kaaba, attracting discerning travelers with its luxury accommodations. However, luxury comes at a price, with nightly rates soaring up to £4,000. The Abraj Al-Bait Towers occupy the site once held by the Ajyad Fortress, an 18th-century Ottoman citadel that faced controversy when it was demolished in 2002, prompting international outcry.
In close proximity to the Masjid al-Haram stands another ambitious project known as the Jabal Omer complex. Currently under construction, this development will eventually feature an impressive array of 37 towers, including nine soaring beyond 150 meters in height. Once completed, it is destined to become a prominent addition to Mecca's evolving skyline.
How the completed Jabal Omer complex will look
'Mecca has been turned into Disneyland'
In his book Mecca: The Sacred City,Ziauddin Sardar describes two different Meccas. One is a metaphysical destination: the one he had first turned to in prayer as a boy; the one beloved of all Muslims. The other is a place firmly rooted in time and space, where human nature is exhibited “in all its foibles and ferocity”.
“The Saudis have turned Mecca into Disneyland,” Sardar adds. Though the city has been remade again and again in the image of whatever power was dominant at the time, its current custodians, he argues, have done more harm than any predecessors. Having bulldozed the last of the buildings that gave Mecca any architectural distinction, they have erected “a grotesque metropolis”, an “eruption of architectural bling”.
Other gigantic hotels around the world
The global hotel industry is no stranger to colossal establishments. One notable example is the First World Hotel located in the picturesque Genting Highlands of Malaysia. This remarkable hotel boasts an astounding 7,351 rooms, making it the current record holder for the largest number of rooms in a single hotel. Since its opening in 2006, this mammoth establishment has warmly accommodated an impressive 35 million guests, creating unforgettable memories for each and every one of them.
When it comes to oversized hotels, Las Vegas undoubtedly takes the crown as the spiritual center. This vibrant city is home to an astonishing 32 hotels, each boasting a minimum of 1,000 rooms. However, it's not just the glitz and glamour of Vegas that astonishes; even in the heart of London, you'll find a hotel of monumental proportions. With a remarkable 1,630 rooms to its name, the Royal National Hotel proudly wears the crown for being the largest hotel in Britain.