MECCA | Abraj Kudai | 12 Towers (Worlds Largest Hotel)

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Currently, the title of largest hotel in the world is held by The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas – which operates as a single complex totaling 7117 rooms distributed on 53 floors. However, it appears that their supremacy is coming to an end because, according to The Guardian, the Saudis have just released a construction project of a much MUCH larger hotel in the city of Mecca.

As you probably already know, Mecca – located in Saudi Arabia – is the holiest city in the world for Muslims. More than 20 million people travel to the city every year, and about 2 million of those visitors go specifically during the period of the Hajj.

With all this migration in mind, the Dar Al-Handasah multi-national design group presented their project for the construction of the Abraj Kudai, a hotel with a total site area of approximately 60,000 m² and total built-up area of around 1.4 million m². Besides the 70 restaurants and 4 heliports, the entire complex will have no less than 10,000 rooms – distributed in a total of 12 towers.

The project was inspired by the design of a traditional desert fortress and the towers will stand on top of a 10-story podium, which will include a convention center, shopping mall, food courts, bus station, parking lots and even a luxurious ballroom. The Abraj Kudai will be just 2 kilometers away from the Grand Mosque Masjid al-Haram, which houses the Holy Kaaba.

The towers will have up to 44 floors, and 10 of them will offer four-stars accommodations, while other 2 will offer luxurious five-star amenities. The five top floors will be reserved exclusively for the Saudi royal family. The construction of the hotel is estimated to cost £2.3 billion, and is expected to be completed in 2017.

Status: March



Comparison:

1. MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas: 6,198 rooms

2. First World Hotel, Malaysia: 6,118 rooms

3. Luxor Hotel, Las Vegas: 4,400 rooms

4. Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas: 4,332 rooms

5. The Venetian, Las Vegas: 4,049 rooms

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http://interestingengineering.com/saudi-...est-hotel-in-mecca/#sthash.zFsUMI4r.dpuf
http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/21/travel/abraj-kudai-mecca-largest-hotel-feat/