Grand Plaza Al Madina

It was crowded most of the time, with cramped elevators full and room service struggling to keep up. Our room had no safe, the key card worked only sometimes, and the AC blew warm air. The room itself just felt off, with decor that looked from the 70s and equipment from the early 2000s. For the price, I don’t think it’s worth it. To me, it felt more like a two-star than a three-star hotel, and I wouldn’t recommend it for a pleasant stay in Medina.

Hanif Rifat made us feel cared for throughout our stay at the Grand Plaza Al Madina. He listened to what we needed, shared useful local tips and dining suggestions, and helped arrange transportation. He also checked in on us and made thoughtful recommendations that added to our time in the city. From the moment we arrived, his warm smile and welcoming manner set a lovely tone. He was professional and attentive to the details, and his genuine care made us feel like valued guests at home. His hospitality was a highlight of our trip, and he’s a real asset to the Grand Plaza Al Madina team. Thank you, Hanif, for making the stay so special. We can’t wait to return.

The view of Madinah was beyond grateful, and we had one of the best experiences of our lives. It was also a bit of a struggle to leave. The hotel is right in front of masjid nabawi, and the food tasted amazing. I hope the hotel succeeds and gets a chance to compete with other top star hotels as an underrated three-star place alongside four- and five-star hotels. Management should look at the one-card system. Customers need an easier way 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 to it? Maybe a mobile app could connect guests with customer service, since the phone line was quite disappointing for some rooms. If an app costs too much, perhaps there could be three or four card points on each floor, with a floor manager available.

The hotel manager did his best to get us and our 10 suitcases downstairs, but when we checked out there were over 200 guests arriving and another 200 checking out on overseas Umrah tours. No concierge was available to help, and every lift was full. There were only four very small lifts, and not all of them were working. They were overcrowded the whole time we stayed, making going up and down almost impossible, especially for older family members using wheelchairs. We even skipped several lunches and dinners because of the lifts. The hotel is very close to the haram, which is its only good point, but that didn’t justify the high price. We could have stayed at Sofitel for an extra sar400 for two nights. There were lots of overseas pilgrim groups and their noise, so if you don’t mind that, you may be fine.