Marriott opens first property in the Saudi Arabian city of Madinah

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) has announced the opening of its first property in the Saudi Arabian city of Madinah, one of the holiest locations in the Muslim religion. The 150-room Madinah Marriott Hotel is the third Marriott hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The others are located in Jeddah and Riyadh.

The Madinah Marriott Hotel is offering rates beginning at US $62 for a single and US $75 for a double room, plus a 15percent service charge. The offer is valid through January 29, 2003.

Situated on the corner of First Circle Road and Omar Bin Al Khattab Street, the hotel is located across from the “New Imarah,” the new offices for the City Prince (governor) and a few hundred meters from the Holy Mosque. Many rooms have a direct view of the mosque.

Zuehir Al-Ghalayani, the hotel general manager and a Saudi national, said he was excited that the opening of the hotel coincided with the holy month of Ramadan. “The Madinah Marriott Hotel offers unique and upscale accommodations that are specifically designed to offer pilgrims and business visitors a luxury Marriott room product. Our hotel’s professional and friendly service is tailored to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations,” he said. 

The 10-story hotel features a variety of guest accommodations, including shuttle service to Al Haram (mosque). Two restaurants are available for dining in the hotel, along with 24-hour room service. The Al Aqeeq restaurant offers a continental breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner. The Al Manarat coffee shop offers juice, snacks and a variety of soft drinks.

Guest room amenities include voice mail, satellite and interactive TV, mini refrigerator, iron and ironing board, room safe, air conditioning, tea and coffee-making facilities, and a hair dryer.

The Madinah Marriott Hotel, along with over 2,300 Marriott-affiliated hotels worldwide, participates in Marriott Rewards, the guest reward program that allows members to earn their choice of points or airline miles for dollars spent during each stay.