Holiday Inn Express & Suites & Holiday Inn Express IWD KEC
IHG adds over 1,000 keys in Al Madinah with new hotels signing with Knowledge Economic City
IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's leading hospitality companies, has signed a management agreement with Knowledge Economic City (KEC) Co., a public listed company in Saudi Arabia, for two new hotels in the Islamic World District (IWD) within the holy city of Al Madinah.
Photo by IHG
The agreement will bring 1,057 rooms to Al Madinah, advancing KEC's pivotal role in transforming the city into a world-class destination via enhanced infrastructure, particularly in religious and cultural experiences.
The Knowledge Economic City (KEC) in Madinah is a transformative project aimed at enhancing the city's infrastructure and economy. A key component is the Islamic World District (IWD), a mixed-use development focusing on world-class hospitality for Umrah and Hajj pilgrims. The district will offer a seamless experience for guests, combining hotels, residential areas, commercial spaces, and cultural attractions. By leveraging its strategic location near the Prophet's Mosque and Al-Haramain High-Speed Railway, the IWD is set to become a major hub for visitors and residents alike, contributing to the Holy Cit's growth and development.
The 552-keys Holiday Inn & Suites IWD KEC and 505-keys Holiday Inn Express IWD KEC are scheduled to open in January 2029 in KEC's cluster 01, a prime slot directly at the entrance of the Islamic World District (IWD) and parallel to the Haramain train station. Featuring contemporary Najdi architectural style that blends modern design with Islamic cultural influences, both hotels will serve as the primary gateway to Madinah for international travelers arriving by air or rail.
The Holiday Inn & Suites IWD KEC will feature a large All-Day-Dining outlet and an open lobby lounge making it ideal for both leisure and business travelers, while the Holiday Inn Express IWD KEC, will provide a more streamlined experience with accessible and comfortable accommodations aimed at religious pilgrims and value-conscious travelers.
Guests of both hotels will benefit from IHG's best-in-class loyalty program, IHG One Rewards, giving them richer benefits that can be availed on IHG's new mobile app. The benefits range from suite upgrades and annual lounge memberships to extended check-outs, and much more, depending on the chosen benefit level.
IHG currently operates 43 hotels across six brands in Saudi Arabia, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, voco, and Six Senses, with 44 properties planned in the pipeline or already under development.