Grand Plaza Al Medinah Hotel

The room didn't have a safe, and the key card worked only some of the time. The AC was hot, and the room just didn't feel right. Its decor looked like the 70s, while the equipment seemed from the early 2000s. The hotel was overcrowded. The cramped elevators were full most of the time, and room service could barely keep up. To me, this felt more like a two-star hotel than a three-star one. I wouldn't recommend it for a pleasant Medina stay, and it isn't worth the price.

Hanif Rifat made our stay at the Grand Plaza Al Madina special. His warm smile and welcoming manner set the tone from the moment we arrived. He was professional and attentive, checked that we were enjoying ourselves, helped arrange transportation, and shared local tips and thoughtful recommendations based on what we liked. What stood out was his genuine care. He treated us like valued guests, not just visitors, and made us feel at home. His knowledge of the area and suggestions for attractions and places to eat were invaluable. Hanif was a highlight of our trip and a real asset to the hotel team. If you want staff who care about your experience, look no further. Thank you, Hanif, we can't wait to return!

The view from Madinah was beyond grateful, and we had one of the best experiences of our lives. Thank you for that. I hope the hotel does well and can compete with top-star hotels in future. It's right in front of Masjid Nabawi, the food tastes amazing, and it has potential to be an underrated three-star hotel that can compete with four- and five-star places. Management should pay attention to a few things that need improving, though. With the one-card system, make it easier for guests to get a card. Stairs or the lift are options, but what about older people, sick people, or anyone who can't manage to get the card? A mobile app could let customers contact you, since the phone line is quite disappointing in some rooms. If an app costs too much, maybe put a floor manager on each of three or four levels who can provide the card. In the end, leaving Madinah was a bit of a struggle.

The only good thing was the location, very close to the Haram. Even so, it didn't justify the high price. For two nights, we could have stayed at Sofitel for an extra 400 SAR. The lifts were very small, and not all were working, with only four in service. They were overcrowded the whole time we were there. Going up and down became a mission, especially for older family members using wheelchairs, and we had to skip several lunches and dinners because of the lift situation. If you don't mind sharing the hotel with large groups of overseas pilgrims and their noise, the location may work for you. At checkout there were more than 200 guests leaving and another 200-plus checking in for overseas Umrah tours. There was no concierge available to help us, and every lift was full. The hotel manager did his best to get us, along with our ten suitcases, downstairs.