The landscape of luxury hospitality in Saudi Arabia is entering an elegant new phase, driven by the Kingdom’s overarching tourism expansion goals and a rising global demand for highly individualized travel experiences. In an official joint release, Saudi-based Manazel Al Naqaa Limited Company and Marriott International announced the signing of a landmark agreement to bring the distinctive Autograph Collection Hotels brand to the heart of Jeddah. Under this strategic partnership, the boutique Shirvan Hotel City Yard Jeddah will be officially converted into an Autograph Collection property.
The transition marks an important milestone for Jeddah’s growing premium travel sector. Ahead of its highly anticipated official debut as an Autograph Collection Hotel scheduled for December 2026, the boutique property will undergo a sophisticated brand repositioning, visual identity development, and select interior and service enhancement works. To ensure zero disruption to travelers visiting the Red Sea port city, the hotel will remain fully operational for guests throughout the transition period.
Crafting a Distinctive Urban Identity in Al Rawdah
Situated within the upscale Al Rawdah district, the property is a centerpiece of the vibrant, mixed-use City Yard plaza. This prime location provides guests with seamless, convenient access to Jeddah’s principal commercial hubs, high-end shopping avenues, cultural landmarks, and King Abdulaziz International Airport.
Architecturally, Shirvan Hotel is celebrated for its modern, low-rise silhouette and its stunning sandstone-clad façade. The design elegantly blends warm, open-air spaces with contemporary, Saudi-inspired interiors. Once the reflagging process is complete, the boutique hotel will feature 113 curated rooms and suites, multiple signature dining venues, premium meeting spaces, and state-of-the-art wellness facilities, including a fully equipped fitness center and a spectacular swimming pool.
Rather than existing as an isolated enclave, the hotel operates as an organic part of an integrated lifestyle ecosystem. The surrounding City Yard plaza has been deliberately designed as a pedestrian-friendly urban destination. With its dynamic central plaza, interior streets, beautiful landscaping, and artistic water features, the development encourages both international visitors and local community members to gather, work, dine, and socialize in an open, welcoming environment.
Aligning Local Passion with Global Luxury Standards
The owners of Shirvan Hotel, Mr. Khalid and Mr. Ayman, expressed immense pride in launching this collaboration with Marriott International. They emphasized that the hotel was built from the ground up to serve as a characterful, authentic destination that embodies the warmth of Saudi hospitality, local heritage, and the social vitality of the City Yard community. They noted that joining the globally renowned Autograph Collection is a natural evolution for the property, reflecting a shared ambition to establish Shirvan as one of Jeddah’s most memorable luxury lifestyle hotels for regional, local, and international travelers alike.
This sentiment is echoed by Marriott International’s development leadership in the region. According to Talal Yousif, Senior Director of Development for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait at Marriott International, Saudi Arabia continues to represent a vital, high-growth market for the global hotel operator. Yousif highlighted that the ongoing development momentum across the Kingdom’s tourism sector is exceptionally strong. He added that the signing of this Autograph Collection Hotel alongside Manazel Al Naqaa Limited Company demonstrates Marriott’s strategic focus on expanding its Saudi footprint with highly distinctive properties that bring unique narratives and localized experiences to life.
A Shared Vision for Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Future
Autograph Collection Hotels features a carefully curated global portfolio of more than 365 independent properties. Each hotel is selected based on its unique vision, artistic craft, and capacity to deliver rich, immersive experiences that leave a lasting personal imprint on travelers. By joining this exclusive collection, Shirvan Hotel City Yard will leverage Marriott’s vast global distribution network while preserving its boutique charm and deeply rooted Saudi identity.
This partnership reflects the broader objectives outlined in Saudi Arabia’s national tourism strategy, which aims to diversify the economy and establish the Kingdom as a premier global travel destination. Through high-profile hospitality agreements like this one, Jeddah continues to solidify its reputation not only as a historic gateway but as a thriving, modern metropolis where global luxury meets authentic local soul.
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