The Ascott Limited, the world’s largest serviced residence owner-operator, is strengthening its presence in Saudi Arabia by unveiling plans for two new properties in the kingdom.

At the recent signing event, representatives from Ascott and the owner, The United Spectrums Holding Company, inked management contracts putting both projects on track for opening next year.

The 280-unit Ascott Makkah is located on Al Masjid Al Haram Street in Makkah’s prime district of Al Aziziyah, less than 2 km from the Grand Mosque and Mina, the two main sites visited during the annual Haj and Umrah pilgrimages. The surrounding area includes restaurants and supermarkets and is 150-m from a bus station and 300-m from the Mina train station.
 
Upon full completion of the Haramain High Speed Rail (which will eventually link the cities of Makkah, Jeddah, Madinah and beyond), the Ascott Makkah property will be a 30-min journey from Jeddah’s Abdul Aziz International Airport – Saudi Arabia’s busiest airport - making transport connections to and from Makkah fast and highly convenient.

Meanwhile the low-rise Spectrum Serviced Residences in Jeddah will comprise 69 spacious, two-bedroom apartment units with varying layouts. Managed and operated by Ascott, facilities will include a breakfast area, residents’ lounge and children’s playroom, making it an excellent choice of accommodation amongst business and leisure travellers.
 
Its sought-after location on Jeddah’s Prince Sultan Road in Al Salamah district offers numerous dining, shopping and leisure options. Spectrum Serviced Residences is directly opposite the city’s popular Centerpoint Mall, close to Iceland Theme Park and a 15 minute-drive from the airport.  

“We are delighted to have signed the agreements to manage the Ascott Makkah and Spectrum Serviced Residences,” said Vincent Miccolis, Ascott’s area general manager in the GCC. “Saudi Arabia remains a highly significant growth market and these latest signings not only strengthen Ascott’s leadership position in the kingdom, but also reinforce our presence in the wider Middle East.”

With its significance to around 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide, religious tourism to Makkah represents a major growth opportunity, continues Miccolis: “With this in mind, Ascott Makkah is being developed specifically to cater to the needs of visitors on short- to mid-length stays, and who want quality accommodation that is comfortable and within easy reach of the city’s transport links.”

The addition of Spectrum Serviced Residences in Jeddah takes Ascott’s tally of properties in the bustling Red Sea port city to five, underlining Jeddah’s importance as a leisure and commercial hub and the strategic gateway to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

“The future for Jeddah continues to look bright, with Abdul Aziz International Airport undergoing a multi-billion dollar expansion to increase its capacity to 30 million passengers by the year 2018, and to 80 million passengers by 2030,” added Miccolis. “Jeddah also has the highest expatriate ratio anywhere within the kingdom and its cosmopolitan nature enhances the city’s appeal amongst regional and overseas visitors.” - TradeArabia News Service