Jeddah - Anwar Al Madinah Movenpick Hotel, the largest in the Kingdom with 1,235 luxurious rooms and suites, will be opened in the beginning of next month, according to Adel Babars, general manager of the hotel, which is located close to the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah.
He said Movenpick International has completed preparations for the management and maintenance of the hotel, which has 1,155 deluxe and modernly designed rooms, 215 haram view rooms and a variety of 28 suites. "Ours is the only hotel that provides accommodation facilities for family drivers," he said.
The hotel's staff comes from more than 12 Islamic countries, he said, adding that the management had given priority to training and employment of Saudis. "We intend to market a number of services including renting for a day or a week or a month for several years," he said.
Amr Al-Aassi, marketing and sales manager, said Anwar Al Madiah would offer new package programs to attract Saudis as well as expatriates especially during holidays and summer vacations.
"External marketing will focus on Islamic and Arab states, especially those countries which send a large number of Haj and Umrah pilgrims including Egypt, South Africa, Pakistan, Morocco and Britain," he told Arab News.
The hotel has already opened three overseas offices in Egypt, Malaysia and Indonesia. "We have agents in many countries around the world," he added.
The management also intends to focus on Saudi companies in order to convince them to hold their meetings at the hotel within the framework of promoting conference tourism, Al-Aassi said. "Our hotel has all the facilities to meet their requirements," he said.
He described the hotel as the most convenient and elegant modern accommodation facility in the holy city, offering a blend of modern luxury and comfort with a unique shopping and gastronomical experience.
There are 189 single/double rooms, 325 triple rooms, 613 quad rooms, eight executive suites, two diplomatic suites, 14 ambassador suites and four presidential suites. Room amenities include individually controlled air-condition, direct dial telephones, personal in-room safe, color television with several satellite channels.
Other distinguishing features are non-smoking floors, business center, Internet access, doctor up on call, 33 super fast elevators and rooms for people of special needs.
The hotel's dining room can accommodate 1,900 guests at a time and serves multicultural cuisines and fast foods. There are three floors of adjacent shopping mall, the largest with 171 shops offering international designs and brands.
By Galal Fakkar
© Arab News 2005
