A New Hospitality Star Glitters from Makkah

Dubai - May 3rd, 2011 - Still in its first year of operation, Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel, named Leading New Hotel in the Middle East region. This grand achievement has been unveiled during a gala ceremony held yesterday at Dubai's Burj Khalifa for announcing the winners of the Middle East World Travel Awards 2011.

This year votes were casted globally and exclusively by a phenomenal 213,000 travel professionals, including travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organizations in over 160 countries across the globe. From the results of this voting, Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel, has been globally recognized by travel professionals as the Middle East's Leading New Hotel.

Commenting on this well-deserved achievement, Mohammed Arkobi, Vice President and Managing Director of Fairmont Raffles Hotels International - Makkah - said, "We truly feel honored to receive this Award in less than six months of operation. We are hugely grateful to our local and international guests for their appreciation of our first hotel in Makkah and its unique style. The recognition belongs to our team at Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel. Consistency in providing a personalized world-class service and an enjoyable stay to every guest is our key to success and international recognition; it's the way Makkah - "the holiest city for about 1.6 billion Muslims" - can get its hospitality voice heard overseas."

Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel, is located only a few steps away from the Masjid Al Haraam and the Holy Ka'aba, Islam's most sacred site. This 76-story hotel, one of the world's tallest, is the focal point of the Abraj Al Bait Complex, part of the King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project.  Among its outstanding features is a 40-meter (130-foot) Royal Clock, visible from 17 kilometers (10 miles) away, which will announce daily prayers to the Muslim world.

The hotel has 858 rooms and suites are thoughtfully and elegantly appointed, with luxury amenities and five-star services over 29 floors, and prides itself on authentic hospitality, whilst the property's 76 elevators will provide comfortable transfers during Azan (calls to prayer) and high-occupancy Umrah and Hajj seasons.

The hotel offers spacious accommodations with an extensive selection of ultra-chic décor, whilst guests can enjoy ten outstanding options of international Cuisines, and even experience local flavor at Al-Dira restaurant, which introduces diners to oriental Saudi cuisine.

Along with its exceptional facilities, Makkah Clock Royal Tower is an ideal venue for any event with its more than 3,200 square meters (34,000 square feet) of ornate function space - replete with a full-service business center and professional staff - comprise 12 exceptional banquet rooms, one spectacular ballroom (with a VIP seating section), and eight state-of-the-art meeting rooms, along with pre-function areas. As well as the hotel offers two distinct spa and fitness experiences by presenting both a men's gym and a women's spa, which includes a sauna, Jacuzzi and steam room.

Makkah Clock Royal Tower -A Fairmont Hotel appeals to pilgrims and business visitors alike with large prayer facilities for both males and females. For a memorable spiritual experience, the Makkah Clock Royal Tower is a beacon for pilgrims in the heart of the Holy City. The Fairmont Hotel pays a close attention to all the religious and cultural aspects associated with its operations that are conducted only dozens of yards away from the gates of the Grand Mosque. Religious tourism - unlike other parts of this industry - makes managing the hotel a very interesting case study and business model.

Described by Wall Street Journal as the 'Oscars' of the travel and tourism industry, the World Travel Awards was launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognize excellence in the global travel and tourism industry and is regarded as the highest achievement a travel product could ever hope to receive.

-Ends-

ABOUT FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS
Located in world-class destinations around the globe, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is a celebrated collection of hotels that includes landmark locations like London's The Savoy, New York's The Plaza, and Shanghai's Fairmont Peace Hotel. With more than 60 hotels, Fairmont is known as much for its warm, engaging service and culturally rich experiences, as its classic hotels that imbue a sense of heritage, sophistication and social importance and are often considered destinations in their own right. A community and environmental leader, Fairmont is also regarded for its responsible tourism practices and award-winning Green Partnership program. Fairmont is owned by FRHI Holdings Limited, a leading global hotel company with over 100 hotels under the Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel brands. The company also manages Fairmont and Raffles branded estates and luxury private residence club properties. For more information or reservations, please call 1-800-441-1414 or visit www.fairmont.com.

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For More Information
Ahmad Ghazi
Group Assistant Public Relations Manager
Mobile: 966 54 60 111 11
E-Mail: ahmed.ghazi@fairmont.com

Diab Nassar
Account Manager - GolinHarris
Mobile: 966 54 55 264 66
E-Mail: dnassar@golinharris.com

© Press Release 2011