The new Swissotel Makkah, with 1,487 beautifully appointed rooms and suites “constituting to be the largest hotel of Saudi Arabia” and the biggest entity of Swissotel Hotels and Resorts is set for commencing operations.
The hotel will mark the international hotel group’s first venture in the Middle East and is due to welcoming guests from the first day of Ramadan in July 2012.
With a modern design, complementing the values of the authentic Arabian culture, the new hotel will offer 1,487 well-appointed deluxe rooms and suites with breathtaking views of the Grand Mosque and the Holy Kaaba, making it an unforgettable and overwhelming experience in the Islamic capital of the world.
“With the most convenient location in Makkah, we anticipate Swissotel Makkah to be the preferred destination not only for pilgrims and Umrah performers but also for business travelers, who will be visiting the holy city of Makkah,” says Mohammed Arkobi, VP & MD, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International Makkah.
Located at a distance of few steps from the Grand Mosque, Swissotel Makkah offers the exquisite portfolio of compellingly elegant rooms and suites which includes comfortable 36 sqm rooms, pre-set 352 triple-bed rooms and also 22 disabled-friendly rooms along with free Internet access for all the guests of the hotel.
Mohammed Siddiqi, GM, Makkah Swissotel, said: “We are continuously looking to have the best convenient facility combined with the best services from the very heart of Makkah, and we believe that Swissotel Makkah will set a new trend of hospitality to our group portfolio.”
A gastronomic delight awaits guests and visitors at the hotel, which will feature a wide variety of worldwide culinary pleasures to suit every palate.
Al-Rowad restaurant, a casual all-day dinning will feature delicacies from North Africa, Indonesia, Middle East and India while, Cafe Swiss will present a combination of traditional and international specialties.
Swissotel Makkah set to start operations
Swissotel Makkah set to start operations
New Murabba seeks contractors for Mukaab Towers fit-outs: MEED
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s New Murabba Development Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has issued a request for information to gauge the market for modular and offsite fit-out solutions for its flagship Mukaab development, MEED reported on Wednesday.
The RFI was released on Jan. 26, with submissions due by Feb. 11. NMDC has also scheduled a market engagement meeting during the first week of February to discuss potential solutions with prospective contractors.
Sources close to the project told MEED that NMDC is “seeking experienced suppliers and contractors to advise on the feasibility, constraints, and execution strategy for using non-load-bearing modular systems for the four corner towers framing the Mukaab structure.” The feedback gathered from these discussions will be incorporated into later design and procurement decisions.
The four towers — two residential (North and South) and two mixed-use (East and West) — are integral to the Mukaab’s architectural layout. Each tower is expected to rise approximately 375 meters and span over 80 stories. Key modular elements under consideration include bathroom pods, kitchen pods, dressing room modules, panelized steel partition systems, and other offsite-manufactured fit-out solutions.
Early works on the Mukaab were completed last year, with NMDC preparing to award the estimated $1 billion contract for the main raft works. This was highlighted in a presentation by NMDC’s chief project delivery officer on Sept. 9, 2025, during the Future Projects Forum in Riyadh.
Earlier this month, US-based Parsons Corp. was awarded a contract by NMDC to provide design and construction technical support. Parsons will act as the lead design consultant for infrastructure, delivering services covering public buildings, infrastructure, landscaping, and the public realm at New Murabba. The firm will also support the development of the project’s downtown experience, which spans 14 million sq. meters of residential, workplace, and entertainment space.
The Parsons contract follows NMDC’s October 2025 agreements with three other US-based engineering firms for design work across the development. New York-headquartered Kohn Pedersen Fox was appointed to lead early design for the first residential community, while Aecom and Jacobs were selected as lead design consultants for the Mukaab district.
In August 2025, NMDC signed a memorandum of understanding with Falcons Creative Group, another US-based firm, to develop the creative vision and immersive experiences for the Mukaab project. Meanwhile, Beijing-based China Harbour Engineering Co. completed the excavation works for the Mukaab, and UAE-headquartered HSSG Foundation Contracting executed the foundation works.
