FHS SPECIAL: Accor expands its luxury portfolio in Saudi Arabia with the signing of Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah

Emirates Reporter
7 Min Read
Signature picture at FHS Dubai on October 28th 2025, from left to right: Mr. Abdullah Almoudi - PR Manager of Jabal Omar Development Company (JODC); Jean-Baptiste Recher, Chief Development Officer Luxury Brands Middle East, Africa and Turkiye; Xavier Grange, Chief Development Officer, Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery & Emblems; Agnès Roquefort, Global Chief Development Officer Luxury & Lifestyle at Accor; Eng. Saleh Al-Habdan – CEO of JODC; Mr. Samer Sabra - Chief Hospitality Officer of JODC; Mr. Alaa Banaja - Chief GRC Officer of JODC; Mr. Mohamed Khalid - Senior Hospitality Manager of JODC; Mr. Mousa Bahri - Hospitality Executive Director of JODC; Mr. Shafqaat Bukhari - Senior Hospitality Manager of JODC

Dubai, UAE- ACCOR, A GLOBAL LEADER IN HOSPITALITY, ANNOUNCED THE SIGNING OF SOFITEL JABAL OMAR MAKKAH, A LANDMARK PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF MAKKAH, WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE HOLY MOSQUE. SET TO OPEN IN 2026, THIS HOTEL WILL BE THE LARGEST SOFITEL PROPERTY IN THE WORLD, WITH 1,141 ROOMS AND SUITES.


“We are honored to introduce Sofitel in Makkah, a city that holds immense spiritual and cultural importance. Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah will stand as a symbol of hospitality, serenity, and connection — a place where our French zest meets Saudi authenticity. This extraordinary project reflects our ambition to create meaningful cultural bridges through luxury hospitality in one of the world’s most sacred destinations.” said Maud Bailly, CEO Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems

Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah will occupy a prime location within the prestigious Jabal Omar master development, providing direct pedestrian access to the Haram, Islam’s holiest site. The hotel will feature 1,141 elegant rooms and suites across two towers – Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah North and Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah South – each offering breathtaking views of the Holy Mosque and the surrounding cityscape.

Designed to blend French art de vivre with Saudi cultural heritage, the hotel will feature a collection of refined restaurants and lounges, executive meeting facilities and fitness centers.
Across the towers, guests will discover six distinctive dining venues — including elegant all-day dining restaurants, a signature fine-dining destination celebrating French and Middle Eastern fusion cuisine, and intimate lobby lounges perfect for gatherings and reflection. A Club Millésime executive lounge will provide exclusive experiences for distinguished guests, combining culinary craftsmanship with personalized service.
Beyond dining, Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah will offer curated sensory experiences that celebrate both French refinement and the spiritual essence of Makkah — from thoughtful wellness rituals and locally inspired teas to bespoke amenities crafted by Saudi artisans. Every detail, from fragrance to flavor, will be designed to honor Sofitel’s philosophy of Heartfelt and Committed Luxury with a French Zest.

The project is being developed in partnership with Jabal Omar Development Company (JODC), one of the largest publicly listed real estate firms in the Middle East and a key player in Makkah’s urban transformation. Renowned for its vision of creating world-class mixed-use developments that complement the spiritual essence of the Holy City, JODC is responsible for some of Makkah’s most prestigious hospitality, retail, and residential projects within the Jabal Omar masterplan.

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment between Accor and JODC to deliver an exceptional hospitality experience rooted in cultural respect, design excellence, and sustainable development.
“Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah is a landmark achievement for Accor in the Middle East luxury sector. The hotel exemplifies our commitment to creating world-class properties that harmonize local heritage with French luxury, offering guests an unparalleled experience at the heart of Makkah.” — Jean-Baptiste Recher, Chief Development Officer Luxury Brands Middle East, Africa and Turkiye
“The Jabal Omar development represents a cornerstone of Makkah’s urban transformation, reinforcing Accor’s leadership in the Kingdom’s luxury segment, and supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The signing of the world’s largest Sofitel in Makkah reflects our ambition to grow the brand’s presence through landmark projects in key strategic markets, bringing the spirit of French luxury hospitality to a global stage. Sofitel’s proven expertise in operating large-scale hotels ensures we deliver exceptional guest experiences at any scale.”, said Xavier Grange, Chief Development Officer, Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery & Emblems

With its scale and strategic location, Sofitel Makkah Jabal Omar represents one of the largest single-hotel developments under the Sofitel brand in the Middle East, underscoring Accor’s strong commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 — driving economic diversification and enhancing the country’s global tourism appeal.

A pioneer of French luxury hospitality since 1964, Sofitel today embodies heartfelt and committed luxury with a French zest. A seamless blend of the richness of each local culture and the French joie de vivre, the brand delights travelers who appreciate delicacy and subtle refinement, offering them heartfelt and authentic service. At Sofitel, beauty is in the details: life’s simple pleasures such as gastronomy and sleep are art forms for an incomparable experience.

Sofitel now boasts more than 120 hotels, all elegant and unique, in the world’s most sought-after destinations. Among its most remarkable properties: Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opera, Sofitel London St James, Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, Sofitel Mexico City Reforma and Sofitel Ambassador Seoul. The brand also offers a selection of heritage luxury hotels under the Sofitel Legend banner, renowned for their timeless elegance and fascinating history, such as Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan or Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. More recently, the brand also unveiled its first Sofitel Residences, redefining luxury living with prestigious properties that combine elegant design with Sofitel’s renowned service and sophistication.

Sofitel is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,700 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL Accor, a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.

Jabal Omar Development Company (JODC) is one of the leading real estate development companies in the Middle East, specializing in large-scale mixed-use projects in the Holy City of Makkah. Established to support the city’s growth and modernization, JODC’s flagship development, the Jabal Omar masterplan, combines hospitality, retail, and residential components that enhance the experience of pilgrims visiting the Grand Mosque. The company’s mission is to create integrated,

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