Makarem Umm AlQura

This hotel is widely recognized for its convenient shuttle service to the Haram, making it a practical choice for guests, especially families and groups, despite its distance from the holy site. Guests frequently highlight the friendly and helpful staff, the spacious rooms, and the varied breakfast buffet as key strengths, offering good value for money. While many appreciate the overall cleanliness, some note that the bathrooms could benefit from updates. The hotel is well-suited for budget-conscious travelers seeking comfortable accommodation with essential services. To enhance your stay, be prepared for potential delays with the shuttle service, particularly on the return journey, and consider utilizing taxis for quicker and more direct transportation.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of convenient facilities to enhance the guest experience. Many guests appreciate the presence of shops within the lobby, including gift shops and a grocery store, providing easy access to essentials and souvenirs. The lifts are noted for operating swiftly, ensuring quick access to rooms. While Wi-Fi is available, some guests reported it to be weak or inconsistent. Parking is a positive feature, offering convenience for those traveling by car. Some rooms experienced issues with the fridge not working or the AC emitting an unpleasant smell, suggesting areas for maintenance improvement. A dedicated prayer room is also available for guests' use.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be clean and spacious, often praising the comfortable beds and clean linen that contribute to a restful stay. The bed sizes are frequently highlighted as suitable for accommodating families with children. However, a significant number of reviews point to issues with the bathrooms, describing them as outdated, not clean, having leaking showers, or emitting a bad smell. Some guests also noted that the overall room appearance could be run down or that bed sheets were stained or old. While rooms are generally quiet, some mentioned a lack of privacy due to connecting doors or issues with AC functionality and smell.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast buffet at the hotel receives consistent praise from guests, with many describing it as very good, delicious, and offering a wide variety of options. The food quality is generally considered excellent, making it a highlight of the stay for many. However, some guests found the breakfast to be expensive if not included in their booking, and a few noted that the kitchen service for other meals was not as impressive or was overpriced compared to outside options. There were also comments about the lack of variety in the breakfast menu over multiple days and the absence of a dinner buffet.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is considered acceptable, particularly for its proximity to Khudai Tower and the availability of a shuttle service to the Haram. While not within walking distance of the Haram, the shuttle service is a key feature, though its frequency and reliability receive mixed feedback; most guests rely on it, but some found it inconsistent, requiring long waits, or not dropping off close enough to the Haram. Parking facilities are available and appreciated by guests. Many guests opted for taxis due to the shuttle's limitations, especially for the return journey, noting that delivery services do not typically come to the hotel.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receives high praise for being friendly, helpful, attentive, and cooperative. Guests frequently commend the quick check-in and smooth check-out processes, as well as the staff's willingness to accommodate requests. Room service is generally reported as good, and housekeeping is noted for being responsive and ensuring rooms are clean and well-maintained, though some guests experienced issues with daily cleaning or towel replenishment. The overall customer service is highlighted as a strong point, with many guests feeling welcomed and well-assisted throughout their stay.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of certain operational aspects that may impact their stay. The check-out time is typically 2 PM, which may differ from what is stated on some booking platforms. Some rooms are noted for having a keycard system that can be problematic, requiring multiple attempts to open doors. There were instances where an extra bed was provided beyond the initial order, which could affect room space. Guests also reported issues with the phone line in their rooms not working. Additionally, some parts of the hotel may experience renovation noise, and the hotel does not typically receive delivery services.