Rotana to bring The Residences brand to Makkah

Rotana has confirmed plans to bring The Residences by Rotana to Makkah, marking the hospitality group’s debut in Saudi Arabia’s branded residences sector.

 

Located 1.5km from the Grand Mosque, the development forms part of the SAR26 billion (US$6.9 billion) Thakher masterplan, which is designed to accommodate more than 1.6 million visitors and pilgrims. The mixed-use district will combine hospitality, residential, retail and commercial space as Saudi expands capacity around the Holy City.

 

Designed for long-stay residents, business travellers and pilgrims, the property aims to meet growing demand for branded accommodation beyond traditional hotel stays.

 

Makram El Zyr, Corporate Vice President, Development at Rotana, said: “Branded residences and serviced apartments are amongst the most compelling growth segments in Saudi Arabia right now. Makkah is exactly the kind of high-demand, high-significance market where we see a strong long-term opportunity.”

 

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The launch expands Rotana’s Saudi Arabia portfolio to 24 properties across five brands, including 13 operating hotels and 11 properties under development. The group already has hotels in Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Dammam, Al Khobar and Jubail, with new openings planned in Riyadh, Jeddah, Hail, Abha, Al Baha and Makkah.

 

Saudi’s hospitality sector is expanding rapidly as the kingdom targets 30 million Umrah performers and six million Hajj pilgrims annually by 2030. According to Saudi’s Ministry of Tourism, the kingdom recorded 37.2 million tourism trips in Q1 2026, generating SAR82.7 billion (US$22.1 billion) in visitor spending. Hotel occupancy reached 60% in Makkah.

 

The announcement follows Rotana’s continued regional expansion, including Rotana Ras Al Khaimah – The Mangroves and Bloom Arjaan by Rotana on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island. The group now operates more than 116 properties across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Türkiye.

 

For more information, visit www.rotana.com