An artist’s impression of Coral Al Madina Hotel.

Coral Al Madina Hotel, one of the several properties scheduled to open next year under the Hospitality Management Holdings (HMH) banner in Saudi Arabia, has entered its advanced stages of construction, said a senior official.

“The construction has really picked up pace over the last few months and it is wonderful to see the building taking shape. The developers have done a fantastic job and we are confident Coral Al Madina Hotel will turn out to be a preferred address for travellers to the city,” remarked Laurent Voivenel, the HMH chief executive, after inspecting the work at the Madinah site.

The countdown to the opening has already begun with the hotel in the final stages of development.

Featuring 400-plus rooms and suites spread over 10 floors and five basements, Coral Al Madina Hotel is owned by Mobarak Hotels Group.

Designs Company, a specialist in providing integrated hotel solutions, has been roped in to oversee the project expansion work.

Voivenel pointed out that HMH was the most credible and leading chain of halal-friendly hotels operating across the region.

Founded in 2003 in Dubai, HMH is a fully-integrated hotel management company that prides itself on being the first hotel chain in the Middle East to offer a halal-friendly, alcohol-free safe environment.

Saudi Arabia, he stated, was central to its expansion strategy as the group aims to double its existing portfolio of hotels in the country over the next five years.

“Coral Al Madina Hotel is going to be the biggest and most prestigious opening of the year for us and is being developed to be the first ‘smart’ hotel in Madinah offering the most advanced technology including high-tech smart rooms,” remarked Voivenel.

The hotel’s wide range of facilities include three specialty restaurants and a lobby lounge, two hi-tech meeting rooms with adaptable function spaces, business centre, fully-equipped gym and spa, shopping arcade, large private parking as well as a helicopter landing site.