Global hospitality technology company OYO has launched its premium hotel brand Sunday in Saudi Arabia with the opening of Sunday Emerald Hotel in Jeddah. It is a 72-room property on Saeed bin Zaqr Street, near to popular tourist hotspots such as the world’s tallest unsupported flagpole, King Fahad’s Fountain and Bicycle Square in Jeddah.

There are multiple food and beverages outlets in the hotel to cater to the different requirements of the guests.

OYO has strategically chosen Jeddah to launch its Sunday brand of hotels in Saudi Arabia, recognizing the city’s role as a critical transit hub for millions of Muslim pilgrims traveling to Makkah and Madinah, especially during the Hajj and Umrah seasons. This religious importance draws a vast influx of visitors annually, many of whom seek premium accommodation options to enhance their pilgrimage experience.

Through the Sunday brand, OYO will meet this demand by offering high-quality stays that blend comfort, convenience, and cultural sensitivity. It breaks away from the mold of traditional hotels and offers a unique proposition of modern-day luxury coupled with mindfully curated experiences that enable guests to unwind at their own pace.

Sunday Hotels offer an immersive experience, designed to engage the local community, and showcase creativity. Each property has a dedicated team of highly trained hospitality professionals that ensure personalized services for every guest. From the moment of arrival, guests are treated to a seamless check-in process, with staff available around the clock to cater to their needs.

One of the hallmarks of the Sunday brand is its luxurious amenities, designed to offer the ultimate in comfort and convenience. Each hotel features spacious and elegantly furnished rooms equipped with modern amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, premium bedding, and well-appointed bathrooms. Many Sunday hotels also offer additional luxuries such as in-room dining, mini-bars, and premium toiletries. The concierge service provides travel arrangements, local recommendations, and any special requests, ensuring a memorable stay for all visitors.

Mohannd Bazerbashi, country head, OYO Saudi Arabia, said: “Through this launch, we aim to contribute to the Kingdom’s vibrant tourism ecosystem and drive a positive economic impact by creating local employment opportunities and fostering community engagement. It also aligns with Vision 2030’s ambition to attract 150 million visitors annually by 2030 and further strengthens OYO’s footprint in the Middle East region.”

According to the World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism, Saudi Arabia recorded a 73 percent increase in the number of international tourist arrivals in the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period of 2019.

OYO Hotels and Homes is a global hospitality chain with a presence in more than 35 countries. Sunday was originally launched in May 2023 in India by a joint venture between Softbank and Oravel Stays. 

The first Sunday hotel was launched in the globally popular heritage destination Jaipur followed by the UK and Dubai.

Cenomi Centers, the largest owner, operator and developer of contemporary lifestyle centers in Saudi Arabia, has announced the signing of a collaboration agreement with Arabian Cooling for Cooling and Air Conditioning — a joint venture of FAS Energy and Sojitz Corporation — to build, own, operate and transfer a new, environmentally best-in-class cooling plant that will service the flagship Jawharat Riyadh development and deliver significant savings in electricity consumption. 

Cenomi Centers will work together with FAS Energy and Sojitz Corporation, to ensure the delivery of efficient and sustainable cooling solutions in line with the highest standards. Jawharat Riyadh will be the first Gold LEED certified mall alongside Jawharat Jeddah.

As part of the agreement, no upfront capital expenditure will be required by Cenomi Centers. Cenomi Centers will save approximately 13 MWhr every year in electricity consumption delivering around SR4 million ($1.06 million) savings annually. The total savings over 25 years is estimated at approximately SR100 million. In addition, it is anticipated that Cenomi Centers will save approximately 30 percent in operation and maintenance costs including replacement costs every year.

The new central cooling plant will provide increased efficiency compared to traditional cooling systems, resulting in a reduced carbon footprint. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency calculator, the plant will save the equivalent of 1 million gallons of gasoline annually.

It will have a capacity of 12,500 refrigeration tons for a period of 25 years starting from the commercial operation date, spanning over 350,000 square meters and achieving LEED certification. It includes dedicated offices for the operations team, hybrid cooling technology based on water cooled and air-cooled chillers and a thermal energy storage tank with a capacity exceeding 14,000 cubic meters. It also comprises water pumps, a heat exchanger, electrical equipment and all necessary components to fully equip and operate the plant. 

The district cooling plant will have a greater degree of automation, which will reduce manual intervention and hence lead to improvements in efficiency. It will also deliver significant benefits to retailers who will not need to install individual cooling units or manage their operations and maintenance. 

Alison Rehill Erguven, CEO of Cenomi Centers, said: “I’m proud to announce the collaboration with FAS Energy and Sojitz Corporation to deliver this state-of-the-art cooling plant for Jawharat Riyadh. This agreement reflects Cenomi Centers’ ambitions to ensure that its developments are world-leading in sustainability. It represents a significant milestone in our sustainability strategy by delivering innovative energy solutions, which are aligned to Vision 2030. Not only will this collaboration deliver significant sustainability benefits through the reduction of electricity consumption, it will deliver an estimated SR100 million in monetary savings over the life of the contract.”

Turki Al-Hokair, CEO of FAS Energy, said: “FAS Energy, founded in 2013, is proud to lead the way in investing in carbon-efficient infrastructure. Initially focused on renewable energy, FAS Energy is now expanding into other sectors as well, such as district cooling.

“Through our collaboration with Cenomi Centers, we aim to combine the expertise of FAS Energy and Sojitz Corporation to deliver efficient cooling solutions that meet the growing demand for energy-efficient services in developments of this kind. These district cooling systems are designed to optimize energy consumption, reduce carbon footprints, and provide reliable, high-quality services.

“Collaborating with Cenomi Centers aligns with our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and contribution to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The implementation of these district cooling systems will not only benefit the environment but also enhance the overall experience for tenants and visitors within these developments.”

Yasushi Asano, general manager, Energy Solutions Department 2 (Middle East and CIS), Sojitz Corporation, said: “We’re excited to collaborate with Cenomi Centers on this flagship project. Providing sustainable and efficient cooling is one way we demonstrate our commitment to net-zero goals and a greener future. For us, this collaboration goes beyond technology — it’s about making a meaningful difference for communities and future generations.

“With HVAC systems accounting for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions and consuming over 50 percent of a building’s electricity, investing in efficient cooling infrastructure is crucial. We aim to continue investing in future technologies and implementing them at the root level to reduce energy consumption in cooling infrastructure, thereby promoting both environmental sustainability and operational efficiency.

“This initiative also reflects Sojitz’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and its sustainability objectives. As we continue to invest in efficient infrastructure, projects like this demonstrate our belief that responsible business practices are integral to progress and growth.” 

To be completed at the end of 2025, the launch of Jawharat Riyadh and Jawharat Jeddah will be a watershed moment as Cenomi Centers pushes ahead with its ambitious growth pipeline to develop next-generation retail and lifestyle destinations in Saudi Arabia. Both malls will redefine the experiences of retail and leisure in the capital and nationwide. Jawharat Riyadh will introduce over 300 of the world’s most sought-after brands in more than 75 flagship stores, including 10 new brands to Riyadh.

The Arabian Cooling for Cooling and Air Conditioning has obtained a temporary license to operate district cooling services from the Saudi Electricity Regulatory Authority and any future developments regarding the JV’s acquisition of the final license will be announced at a later date.