Accor, the global hotel group and the largest hospitality operator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has signed an agreement with Madinah-based Arbah Taibah Development and Real Estate Investment Company to develop Novotel Madinah North. The new hotel will be located minutes from the Prophet's Mosque and is scheduled to open by 2028.
The collaboration builds on the pivotal role Arbah Taibah has played in the development of Madinah and on Accor's extensive operational expertise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The partnership will result in the development of a modern, easily accessible hotel designed to meet the diverse needs of travelers throughout the year.
The signing ceremony in Madinah was attended by Islam Abdel Samad, Vice President of Development, Premium, Midscale and Economy Brands, Middle East and Africa at Accor, and Abdulaziz Al-Qaffari, Chairman of Arbah Taibah. The agreement underscores both parties' shared commitment to developing the religious, business and leisure tourism sectors in the Kingdom, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
As the number of visitors to Madinah continues to rise, with the city receiving more than 3.7 million visitors in the second quarter of 2025 alone, after recording 18 million visitors in 2024, the new Novotel will directly meet the growing demand for accommodation by providing high-quality lodging options for pilgrims, business travelers and domestic guests.
For his part, Islam Abdel Samad, Vice President of Development, Premium, Midscale and Economy Brands, Middle East and Africa at Accor, said: "This partnership supports Accor's long-term strategy to strengthen our presence across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly in the holy cities, where demand for high-quality accommodation continues to grow. Our partnership with Arbah Taibah allows us to develop a hotel that meets international standards while preserving the unique character and spiritual significance of Madinah."
In a related context, Abdulaziz Al-Qaffari, Chairman of Arbah Taibah, said: "Arbah Taibah has long contributed to the urban development of Madinah, and this partnership with Accor represents an important step in raising the level of hospitality in the city. By combining our local expertise with Accor's global operational expertise, we will be able to develop a distinguished hotel that keeps pace with global best practices and meets the needs of visitors to the Prophet's Mosque. Novotel Madinah North marks the beginning of a promising collaboration, as we look forward to developing more projects that support Madinah's growth and enhance the guest experience throughout the city."
Accor said that Novotel Madinah North is currently under development and will embody Novotel's motto of living well, and for longer, every day, by providing elegant, thoughtfully designed spaces that meet the requirements of a balanced and comfortable lifestyle, as well as a variety of dining options and memorable experiences during every stay. The hotel is a new addition that enriches Accor's growing accommodation offering in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its holy cities.
The hotel is scheduled to open in 2028 and will feature 200 modern guest rooms, as well as a carefully selected range of facilities, including a restaurant, a lobby lounge, a fitness center and four multi-purpose meeting rooms. The hotel and its facilities have been designed to suit all categories of travelers, from business travelers to families and domestic guests alike.
The hotel's appeal is enhanced by its prime location minutes from the Prophet's Mosque, the world's second-largest mosque and one of the holiest sites in Islam, and it will be fully equipped to welcome Umrah performers visiting the city throughout the year.
The launch of this hotel comes in response to continued demand for hospitality in Madinah, as the city received 6.45 million visitors in the first quarter of 2025, including 4.41 million international travelers, reflecting an annual increase of 10.7% in the number of Umrah performers from outside the city. This momentum highlights the strategic importance of providing modern, well-located and easily accessible accommodation to support the city's growth trajectory.
Through this agreement, Accor strengthens its position as the largest global hotel operator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the holy cities, adding to a year full of significant development milestones and expanding its local portfolio to about 6,700 hotel keys.
Accor currently operates more than 40 hotels and premium residences across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a total of more than 17,000 hotel rooms across 15 brands, in addition to a promising future pipeline of more than 60 contracted projects with a total of about 17,000 new hotel rooms.
In the holy cities alone, Accor operates 14 hotels with 12,600 hotel rooms. This year has seen remarkable growth in the hospitality sector in both Makkah and Madinah, particularly with the launch of new projects such as the 1,141-room Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah, the new Mövenpick project in cooperation with Al Qimma Hospitality, and the upcoming ibis Styles Makkah Al Misfalah and Mercure Makkah Shisha. These additions reflect the growing demand across all hospitality segments and the aspirations of visitors to the holy cities.
Novotel Madinah North reinforces this trend, expanding Accor's range of midscale hotels and contributing to the continuous raising of hospitality standards in Madinah.
Accor is one of the world's largest hospitality groups. Founded in 1967 and headquartered in France, it is distinguished by its leadership in providing integrated accommodation experiences and world-class services in more than 110 countries, with a portfolio of more than 5,700 hotels and resorts, as well as more than 10,000 restaurants and bars, wellness facilities and flexible workspaces. The group has one of the most diverse ecosystems in the hospitality industry, comprising about 45 brands covering all segments from luxury to economy.
