World's largest hotel in Saudi Arabia to feature 10,000 bedrooms

A gigantic development, currently rising from the desert landscape of Mecca, is set to open as the world's largest hotel in 2017.

Featuring 10,000 bedrooms and 70 restaurants in 12 connecting towers, Abraj Kudai is costing $3.5b (£2.2b) to develop. Two of the towers will offer five-star accommodation, with the other 10 being of four-star quality.

The look of the property, designed by architects Dar Al Handasah, is intended to reflect a contemporary interpretation of a traditional desert fortress.

The 12 towers will stand on top of a 10-storey podium containing a bus station, shopping mall, food courts, conference centre and ballroom. Two of the towers will offer five-star accommodation, with the other 10 being of four-star quality.

The hotel will be located one mile away from the Grand Mosque, which currently welcomes three million visitors annually, with the figure expected to rise to seven million by 2040.