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Arabia
French firm to run largest lavish hotel in Middle East
2005-03-19
Eurabia, here we come!
French hotel and tourism group Accor has won a bid to run the largest luxury hotel in the Middle East, located in the Muslim holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Luxury hotels for the potentates being the sixth pillar of Islam. You could look it up.
Currently under construction, the Zam Zam Sofitel Grand Suites - named for the natural spring which Muslims believe yields holy water - will open its doors in September 2006, Accor said. The hotel, built with a total budget of USD 600 million (EUR 450 million ), will have 1,240 suites on 34 floors. It is part of a high-rise complex, Al Beit Towers, and is located a stone's throw 100 meters from the holy Kaaba stone.
"Hajj is for the little people, Excellency. The north terrazza affords you the best view of the tramplings, and remember to pray in the direction of the gift shop."
The hotel, which could house as many as 6,000 guests, will employ 1,500 people, most of them Saudi nationals, the French tourism group added.
"We're Aryan pure here at the Zam Zam, your Eminence."
Accor, which is active in 140 countries, currently has 17 hotels in the Middle East and is planning to boost its presence to 25 hotels in the next three years. So far, the group already has seven hotels under construction, slated to open in 2008: an Ibis hotel in Kuwait, a Novotel in the Saudi capital Riyadh, and five Sofitel hotels in Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates.
Accor's not alone in this. The Ritz-Carlton in DC was just remodelled, and the windowsill of every room has a Mecca-directional arrow painted on it.
Posted by:seafarious

#12  didja ever consider marrying Ace? Afterwards you can claim discrimination if they don't let you bed together. Start in San Francisco
Posted by: Frank G   2005-03-19 5:26:17 PM  

#11  I can't find any motel that will accept Ace. But then, he weighs about 1100 pounds. I have slept in the horse trailer next to him before. I put my cot up and we are just fine. Unless he has an "accident" during the night.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2005-03-19 5:07:26 PM  

#10  Yeah.

Red Roof is really a pretty good deal. Their rooms have always been clean and comfortable. AND they take dogs at most of the motels without additional charge. (If you take one there, please be responsible. Places that will are few and far between these days.)
Posted by: too true   2005-03-19 4:20:45 PM  

#9  I had to stay at a Motel 6 one time. *shudder*

If I'm ever stuck in that situation again, I think I'll just put the back seat down in my SUV and sleep in the car.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2005-03-19 4:18:18 PM  

#8  One reason I don't stay there. The other reason is that their rooms are a lot crappier than those of Red Roof, for nearly the same $$.
Posted by: too true   2005-03-19 2:16:11 PM  

#7  In the US, Accor owns 'Motel 6'.
Posted by: DMFD   2005-03-19 2:14:18 PM  

#6  Saul? Did Ship get a lisp?
Posted by: Frank G   2005-03-19 12:30:25 PM  

#5  My flock: your local Imam will tell you the proper direction to bow to Mecca. Since the great circle is a tool of the infidels, the so-called 7th Century Vector is the authoritative direction, BUT IF AND ONLY IF the local Imam spins the 7CV around its axis (which consists of a nail in its center securely driven into a block of Lebanese Cedar lying on the ground flat.
The vector will vary its direction, based upon the sincerity and religiousity of the individuals heart. A duplicitious person will get a vector that will force him to wander in the desert for 40 years, so better clear your head and heart before you ask the Imam for a spin of the 7CV. Now you know the answer.
Posted by: Al-Aska Saul   2005-03-19 12:24:20 PM  

#4  We should consult Al Aska Saul flyer of planes and who has the wisdom of Twin Otters.
Posted by: Shipman   2005-03-19 10:54:12 AM  

#3  #1 Shipman, that's a great question. Do you know the answer? I think I'll go and "Ask the Imam".
Posted by: Attaboid   2005-03-19 10:24:16 AM  

#2  Actually this is the logical next step to what rich pilgrims to the Hajj have been doing for a long time. It's just that instead of having to put up with the inconvenience of an air-conditioned tent, they now have a luxury hotel. Now they can be pious without having to deal with so many NOKD surrounding them.
Posted by: Desert Blondie   2005-03-19 9:56:34 AM  

#1  Do they use the Great Circle arrow or the 7th century vector?
Posted by: Shipman   2005-03-19 7:43:22 AM  

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