TravelSkills

News and Tips For Your Trips

The largest hotel you’ll likely never stay in

This hotel complex in Mecca will have 10,000 rooms. (Image: Dar Group)

This hotel complex in Mecca will have 10,000 rooms. (Image: Dar Group)

Most of the world’s largest hotels are in Las Vegas; the Venetian/Palazzo complex has more than 7,000 rooms, giving it the number one spot worldwide. But a new property is going up in Saudi Arabia that will move the title there.

A mixed-use complex being built at Abraj Kudai in Mecca will include 10,000 hotel rooms. It is due to be finished in 2017, but don’t try to make a reservation: Unless you’re a Muslim, you can’t go to Mecca.

Screen Shot 2015-05-21 at 4.06.59 PM

The hotel is intended to accommodate many of the millions of Muslims each year who make a sacred pilgrimage, or Hajj, to Mecca as part of their religious duty.

Recent: Airfare war in the wings? | Another carry on crackdown 

Besides 10,000 guest rooms in a dozen 44-story towers, the complex will reportedly include 70 restaurants, helipads on the roof, and a large convention center.

Western hotel groups are also coming to Mecca. A Hyatt Regency is due to open this summer, and Hilton’s Conrad Makkah (the alternate spelling for Mecca) should debut next year. But you likely can’t stay at them either.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: Delta accused + Starwood Hotels’ new tech touches + Virgin Atlantic’s new LAX lounge + Southwest adds Oakland-Atlanta service


Print pagePDF pageEmail page
Editorial Disclaimer: This editorial content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuer. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of the credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through the credit card issuer Affiliate Program. Responses in the comments section are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.”