Emaar Taibah

Nearly 600 SAR for one night in a room like this is absurd. I'd put a fair price at no more than 300 or 350 SAR, even allowing some leeway. The bathroom and shower were cramped and uncomfortable. The room and bathroom were okay, if small and dated. The bed was pretty good, and they provided some bathroom amenities. Check-in was quick and easy, and customer service was good overall. A real plus was the underground parking: just ask reception for a slip, which helps when parking in Madinah can be a headache. There are shops and small cafes a minute or two away, and the walk to the Prophet's mosque takes about five to seven minutes. The closest gates are 313-316. Decent hotel in a good location, but honestly, the parking and location are what saved it.

The front office staff were so helpful and welcoming that they made us feel at home. It was a comfortable room, with a real spiritual feel, and the hospitality was wonderful. The location is very good, within walking distance of Masjid Al Haram. It reflects the warmth of Saudi hospitality, especially in Madina. InshaAllah, I'll stay here again on my next visit to Madina.

Room service arrived on time each day, and check-in was organised and smooth. The location isn't bad, with the area of desi food shops just one road behind. It's a cheap and cheerful place if you're on a tight budget. But every group room had an extra bed, which meant the desk and dressing table under the TV had been removed. There was nowhere to put anything, and with the extra bed it was nearly impossible to move around. We stayed in early January, and some rooms were cold with no heating option. The beds felt a little hard and cheap. There's no iron in the room, so you have to chase housekeeping for one. Bellboys were practically nonexistent: we unloaded the coach on arrival and had to load it ourselves when leaving. To be honest, it needs an upgrade.

For us, Emaar Taibah worked well because our main aim on this Umrah trip was to visit the nearby Masjid An Nabawi and get the most spiritual benefit we could. We just needed somewhere fairly close, with clean rooms and bathrooms and the basic facilities. It delivered what we needed. It was an estimated six to seven minutes' walk to the Masjid, and the rooms and washing facilities were clean. Hotel stays depend a lot on what each person expects and what they want from the journey. For our purposes, it was ideal.