Theological, cultural or commercial, the city is ready to entertain the most important ones among the twelve million annual visitors arriving in Madinah. Accor, the top-tier hospitality group in the world and the largest hotel industry player in the Kingdom, has made a groundbreaking deal with local real estate property developer Arbah Taiba for the construction of a two-hundred-room Novotel Madinah North, slated for 2028. The hotel site is only a short drive from the Prophet’s Mosque, hence, the creation of the new hotel speaks of a change in the (Islamic) world’s most sacred destinations that visitors will now be able to enjoy in terms of their overall well-being and close connection to the sacred place.
The agreement, signed in Madinah, reflects Accor’s broader growth strategy across the Kingdom and its commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 tourism ambitions. It also responds directly to the surge in visitor numbers to the Holy City, where demand for internationally branded, midscale accommodation continues to rise.
Strategic Partnership at the Heart of the Holy City
At the signing ceremony, senior representatives from both organisations marked what they described as a shared vision for Madinah’s evolving hospitality landscape. Accor indicated that working with Arbah Taiba, a developer long associated with the city’s urban growth, would allow the group to combine global operating expertise with deep local insight.
Arbah Taiba, in turn, suggested that the collaboration represented a step forward in elevating the quality and diversity of accommodation available to visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque. The developer highlighted that Novotel Madinah North was intended to serve pilgrims, families and business travellers alike, while respecting the city’s spiritual character.
Meeting Soaring Visitor Demand
Madinah’s tourism momentum provides the immediate context for the project. The city welcomed more than 18 million visitors in 2024, with a further 3.7 million arrivals recorded in the second quarter of 2025 alone. In the first quarter of 2025, 6.45 million visitors arrived, including 4.41 million international travellers, reflecting double-digit growth in external Umrah arrivals year on year.
Against this backdrop, Accor has positioned Novotel Madinah North as a timely response to capacity pressures, particularly for travellers seeking well-located, internationally recognised hotels that balance quality with accessibility.
Novotel Madinah North: Designed for the Modern Traveller
Now entering the development phase, Novotel Madinah North will reflect Novotel’s global positioning around everyday wellbeing and balance. According to Accor, the hotel will focus on creating uplifting spaces that support rest, nourishment and meaningful moments, an approach well suited to travellers whose journeys to Madinah are often both physically and emotionally significant.
The property will feature 200 contemporary guest rooms alongside a restaurant, lobby lounge, fitness centre and four flexible meeting rooms. This mix of amenities is designed to appeal not only to pilgrims, but also to domestic travellers and business guests who increasingly visit Madinah throughout the year.
Its location, just a short distance from Al Masjid an-Nabawi, places the hotel firmly within the city’s spiritual and cultural heart, making it a practical base for those wishing to spend more time at the holy site without long commutes.
Accor’s Expanding Saudi Portfolio
The Novotel Madinah North project further strengthens Accor’s leadership position in Saudi Arabia. The group currently operates more than 40 hotels and branded residences across the Kingdom, totalling over 17,000 keys across 15 brands, according to information published on Accor’s official website. Its development pipeline includes more than 60 committed projects, adding approximately 17,000 keys, with a particularly strong presence in the Holy Cities.
In Makkah and Madinah alone, Accor operates 14 hotels representing around 12,600 keys. Recent and upcoming openings, such as Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah, new Mövenpick developments, ibis Styles Makkah Mesfalah and Mercure Makkah Shesha, underscore the group’s focus on serving travellers across luxury, premium and midscale segments.
Travel Experience Aligned with Vision 2030
From a traveller’s perspective, the significance of Novotel Madinah North extends beyond room numbers. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 places strong emphasis on enhancing the visitor experience, particularly in religious destinations, by improving infrastructure, service quality and accommodation choice.
Accor has indicated that its growing presence in the Holy Cities is intended to support these goals, ensuring that visitors to Madinah can focus on their spiritual journey while enjoying internationally benchmarked hospitality standards.
Looking Ahead
As Madinah continues to welcome millions of visitors each year, projects like Novotel Madinah North illustrate how global hospitality brands are reshaping the travel experience in the Holy City. For future pilgrims and travellers, the hotel promises a stay that blends modern comfort with respectful proximity to one of Islam’s most revered sites.
The Novotel Madinah North, which is expected to enter the market in 2028, will not only be a new hotel but a part of the new era in hospitality that encourages tourists to visit Madinah with less hassle, more tranquility, and more assurance, plus respect for the ancient importance that brought them there in the first instance.
Image Credit: Accor
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