Mecca: Five-star hotels with views of Islam's holiest site and luxury hajj pilgrimage packages are attracting a super-wealthy clientele and establishing Mecca as the capital of premium religious tourism.
Mecca's finest hotels are lavishly appointed with shimmering marble, fine wood panelling and vast chandeliers, serving super-wealthy pilgrims from around the world.
At one of the high-end establishments, the main selling point is clear according to a representative: "We have three prayer rooms overlooking the Kaaba."
The Kaaba is a cube structure that is the focal point of Islam, draped in a gold-embroidered black cloth, towards which Muslims around the world pray.
"Guests dream of seeing the Kaaba 24-hours a day," added the hotelier.
In a room on the 29th floor, male worshippers gathered to pray their eyes fixed on the holy site below as the hajj was in full swing.
Some 2.5 million faithful have travelled to Mecca from across the world to take part in this year's pilgrimage — one of the five pillars of Islam — which began on August 9 and ends on Wednesday.
At another similarly prestigious hotel, guests are offered a "pilgrimage area" complete with a view "of Islam's holiest site... allowing (them) to lift their spirits".
Luxury accommodation has mushroomed in Mecca in recent years with a proliferation of high-end skyscraper hotels in the vicinity of the Grand Mosque — often with "panoramic" views.
The premium properties were fully booked for the duration of this year's hajj and next year's pilgrimage, but also for a dozen days before and after.
Room rates are more than 1,000 per night in the high season. Mecca's most opulent hotels are located within the vast Abraj al-Bait (Kaaba Towers) skyscraper complex which opened to guests in 2012, or near it.