IHG expands in Al Madinah with two new Holiday Inn hotels

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Knowledge Economic City (KEC) to introduce two new Holiday Inn hotels in Al Madinah.

The signing marks a significant step in the expansion of IHG’s portfolio in Saudi Arabia.

The agreement will add 1,057 rooms to the Islamic World District (IWD) within the Knowledge Economic City (KEC), a transformative project designed to elevate Al Madinah as a world-class destination.

Two Holiday Inn properties

The two hotels — Holiday Inn & Suites IWD KEC with 552 keys, and Holiday Inn Express IWD KEC with 505 keys — are set to open in January 2029.

These properties will serve as the primary gateway to the city for international travellers arriving by air or rail, providing a contemporary, yet culturally immersive experience for both leisure and business guests.

Located in KEC’s prime “cluster 01,” both hotels are positioned at the entrance to the IWD, conveniently near the Al-Haramain High-Speed Railway station and the Prophet’s Mosque.

The hotels will be built in the contemporary Najdi architectural style, blending modern design elements with traditional Islamic cultural influences, making them a key feature of the district’s development.

Supporting Vision 2030

Haitham Mattar, MD of India, Middle East & Africa for IHG, said: “We are thrilled to expand our presence in the holy city of Al Madinah with two exceptional properties that will elevate the cultural experience of our guests while providing contemporary amenities. As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering extraordinary hospitality, we are honoured to contribute to the development of Knowledge Economic City and support the kingdom’s Vision 2030. These hotels will cater to the millions of religious pilgrims visiting Al Madinah annually, as well as business travellers, offering world-class facilities in a location that seamlessly blends tradition with modern convenience.”

Amin Shaker, chairman of Knowledge Economic City, highlighted the broader significance of the project: “Under the visionary leadership of His Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing the hospitality sector in Al Madinah in line with Vision 2030. We are delighted to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts on this significant development.

“These two new hotels will play a pivotal role in elevating Al Madinah’s status as a premier travel destination, offering exceptional hospitality services to the city’s growing number of visitors.”

Strengthening IHG’s Saudi Presence

The Holiday Inn & Suites IWD KEC will offer a comprehensive range of amenities, including a large all-day-dining outlet and an open lobby lounge, making it suitable for both business and leisure travellers.

Meanwhile, the Holiday Inn Express IWD KEC will offer a streamlined experience with accessible accommodations designed to meet the needs of religious pilgrims and value-conscious visitors.

In addition, guests of both hotels will benefit from IHG’s loyalty programme, IHG One Rewards, which provides a range of benefits such as suite upgrades, annual lounge memberships, extended check-outs, and more, depending on the membership tier.

This latest signing brings IHG’s total portfolio in Saudi Arabia to 43 hotels across six brands, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, voco, and Six Senses. The group also has an additional 44 properties planned or under development across the Kingdom, further solidifying its presence in the rapidly growing Saudi hospitality sector.

Mohammad Al Mubarak, CEO of Knowledge Economic City, added: “This signing with IHG Hotels & Resorts is a testament to the unparalleled hospitality standards we plan to bring to Madinah. We have found in IHG a partner that shares our values of quality, professionalism, and customer and investor support, while simultaneously fostering local capacity development. We aim to set new benchmarks in accommodation, innovation, and guest experiences within the Holy City.”

As part of its ongoing expansion strategy, IHG is positioning itself to play a major role in the transformation of Al Madinah into a modern, culturally rich hub for both pilgrims and tourists, contributing to Saudi Arabia’s broader goals of enhancing its tourism infrastructure as part of Vision 2030.