World's largest hotel in Mecca

Dubai: Saudi Arabia is planning to build the world's largest hotel with 10,000 rooms at a whopping USD 3.5 billion in the holiest city of Mecca.

Designed by Dar Al Handasah group, the project has a total built area of 1.4 million square metres and will be set in the Manafia area in Mecca's central zone, DesignMENA reported.

The 45 stories tall Abraj Kudai hotel will be a spectacular structure comprising 10,000 rooms in 12 towers besides 70 restaurants and four helipads once completed in 2017.

While 10 of the towers are intended to provide four-star accommodation, the remaining two will offer luxurious five-star amenities, said the hotel's architect.

"We are honoured to be trusted with such a challenge. Designing hotel interiors on such a massive scale, with no operators yet in place, requires complex programming and design resourcing," said Andrew Lindwood, head of design at Areen Hospitality, which will design the hotel's interior spaces.

Funded by the Saudi Ministry of Finance, the hotel is aimed at accommodating the rising number of Muslims who visit Mecca and other holy cities during the annual pilgrimage.

"We respond to such a challenge, without ever losing the creative essence needed to welcome and surprise the guests expected at Abraj Kudai," Lindwood said.

Modelled on a traditional desert fortress, the remarkable complex will house a bus station, shopping mall, food courts, conference centre and a lavishly appointed ballroom atop a 10-storey podium.