Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced its continued expansion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) with the signing of management agreements with Knowledge Economic City (KEC) for two new hotels: Hyatt House Madinah KEC and Hyatt Centric Madinah KEC. These properties will be situated within the much-anticipated Knowledge Economic City in Madinah, adding 576 keys to Hyatt’s growing portfolio in the region. The introduction of Hyatt Centric Madinah KEC is particularly noteworthy as it marks the debut of the lifestyle brand, Hyatt Centric, in the Kingdom. This move underscores Hyatt’s dedication to expanding its presence in key markets that are significant for both guests and property owners.
As the fourth largest city in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by population, Madinah holds immense importance in Saudi’s Vision 2030 and the burgeoning tourism sector. The strategic location of the KEC development, directly linked with the five major roads in Madinah, positions KEC as a leading developer in Saudi Arabia. The envisioned world-class destination is poised to offer a lifestyle enriched with integrated services, leveraging technology and knowledge to unify its various components for residents and visitors alike.
Hyatt House Madinah KEC will offer 446 residentially-styled rooms, catering to diverse traveler needs with a comfortable “home away from home” experience. In contrast, Hyatt Centric Madinah KEC will feature 130 contemporary rooms and suites, incorporating art and design elements that capture the essence of Madinah.This lifestyle hotel will seamlessly blend functionality with boutique charm, serving as a local hub for discerning travelers returning from their city explorations.
Upon their operational commencement, both properties will be integrated into World of Hyatt, the industry’s fastest growing loyalty program, offering over 44 million members an array of benefits including room upgrades, complimentary nights, late checkout privileges, bonus points, and more.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Knowledge Economic City on plans to bring the Hyatt Centric and Hyatt House brands to the exciting KEC development, enhancing the tourism landscape in Madinah,” commented Javier Águila, group president, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Hyatt. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a key market in Hyatt’s growth strategy in the Middle East and these upcoming properties in KEC reflect our dedication to expanding our brand footprint in new and desired destinations. We are also excited to debut the Hyatt Centric brand in Saudi Arabia, as we continuously aim to offer more choice to our World of Hyatt members looking to discover the magic of Madinah from the heart of the city.”
The two Hyatt-branded properties will form part of Al Aliyah, which constitutes the initial phase of the newly established city. Positioned strategically within the perimeters of the Madinah Sanctuary and the urban expanse of Madinah, the KEC project enjoys a convenient location flanking the main thoroughfare that links the The Mosque of the Prophet and Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport.. Encompassing an expansive area of approximately 2.6 square miles (6.8 million square meters), KEC’s distinct positioning establishes direct access to the five most pivotal roads in Madinah. Moreover, the development is seamlessly connected to the Al Haramain High-Speed Railway, a significant passenger railway network serving the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Madinah.
“We are excited to announce our strategic collaboration with Hyatt, marking a significant milestone for Knowledge Economic City (KEC). It is a testament to our shared values of excellence, innovation, and delivering extraordinary guest experiences,” Amin Shaker , Chairman of KEC commented. “With the incredible and continuous support from HH Prince Salman bin Sultan, this relationship with Hyatt allows us to set new hospitality standards in Madinah and will contribute to the Kingdom’s development goals in line with Vision 2030.”
Mohammad Al Mubarak, Chief Executive Officer of KEC, added, “It gives me great pleasure to share our collaboration with Hyatt, bringing two new Hyatt branded hotels, Hyatt House Madinah KEC and Hyatt Centric Madinah KEC, to the city. The introduction of these upcoming properties is a pivotal step forward in our mission to grow technology and knowledge-driven developments in Madinah and deliver unparalleled hospitality to residents and visitors across all sectors.”
