The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Perfect Stay for Umrah in 2024 

When choosing accommodation, most international travellers rely on star ratings and budget. If one matches the other, they have their finalised stay. However, for Umrah pilgrims visiting the sacred cities of Makkah and Madinah, the criteria extend beyond the usual standards. Pilgrims seek unique features to ensure their spiritual journey is truly special. Read on as we explore the key parameters pilgrims prioritise and discover the top hotels in Makkah and Madinah to find the perfect stay for your pilgrimage. 

How do you decide what to prioritise?

1. Proximity to the Holy Mosques:

Unlike any other planned travel, the top priority for most Umrah goers remains proximity. When pilgrims unite in the holy lands with the one reason of indulging in the praise of Almighty Allah and nurturing their Imaan, access to Masjid Al Haram and Masjid Al Nabawi is a top concern. The closer you are to these holy mosques, the less you can worry about a constant runaround and instead direct all your attention to maximising rewards from your acts of worship.  

2. Amenities:

Your hotel must mirror who you are and ensure absolute comfort when resting after a long day of worship. While there are several considerations to be made here, life access remains the most talked about amenity. While some hotels allow for direct lifts from room to lobby, most hotels have a lift changeover. The other concern lies in the food. To cater to your palette, Ready For Umrah offers Umrah packages from India with exclusive access to comfort food made by local Indian chefs to ensure authenticity. Your other considerations may include but are not limited to laundry services, vehicle rentals and luxury lounge access.  

3. Budget:

To bind together the first two points of concern, pilgrims must first decide the range they are willing to pay for their stay. To bring you the perfect Umrah without hurting your pockets, Ready For Umrah divides its accommodation categories primarily into 3- Executive comfort, executive premium and executive luxury. These accommodation categories range from a lower to a higher price point, offering a range of luxury stays for your budget considerations.  

4. Time of Year:

The Holy Lands have a constant inflow of devotees to refresh their connection with their Creator. However, like all travel destinations, Umrah travel agencies too see more travellers in certain seasons. With Ramadan usually seeing the largest number of bookings for Umrah, other seasonal considerations may include holiday seasons which allow families to make the trip. One must consider the possibly raised price point on accommodation, lack of bookings in particular hotels and their physical capabilities in the face of large crowds when considering booking an Umrah package at peak season.  

Where to stay?

Once you’ve prioritised your key parameters, it is time to pick the best accommodation for your Umrah. In accordance with our packages- executive comfort, executive premium and executive luxury- we have listed the best-of-its-kind  stay for you in each segment. While these hotels are suggested by Ready For Umrah, there are many other options that individuals may explore.  

IN MAKKAH

Executive comfort

Makkah Towers

Placed directly outside the compound of the Haram, Makkah Towers retains its age-old charm as a luxury property with easy access to the Holy Mosque. Heralding one of the best locations in Makkan accommodation around the Haram, Makkah Towers also offers a range of amenities from rooms with a view of the Holy Kaaba to access to a variety of in-accommodation restaurants and lounges. 

Executive Premium

Swissotel Makkah

Located in the timeless Clock Towers, Swissotel prides itself as a 5-star contemporary stay within close proximity to the Haram as well as with private and direct access lifts. Swissotel Makkah is the only property close to the Haram with a direct entrance through Ajyad Street. Along with private entrances that enhance accessibility to the Haram, Swissotel’s luxury amenities are ideal

to suit the modern palette.  

Executive Luxury

Intercontinental Dar Al Tawhid Makkah

Nestled just a few steps away from the King Fahd Gate, this Intercontinental property is ideal for well-cultivated tastes. Along with primary access to the Haram, Dar Al Tawhid also offers pilgrims a plethora of luxuries to indulge in throughout their stay. Basic amenities begin with high-speed wifi and live Haram speakers in the bedrooms and range all the way to private prayer halls and famed cafés and restaurants.  

Makkah Clock Royal Tower (A Fairmont Hotel)

Enveloping luxury both inside and out, this breathtaking Fairmont property offers pilgrims the opulence of artistically curated living spaces coupled with the graceful view of the Holy Kaaba from specific rooms. While this 5-star accommodation offers a range of 1,650 suits to choose from, the most felicitated in the luxury segment are the Fairmont Gold accommodations and Royal Floor suites which allow access to an exclusive lounge with noteworthy refreshments and

24-hour butler services. 

IN MADINAH

Executive comfort

Dalah Taibah

Best known for their exclusive services at great value for money, Dalah Taibah can be a traveller’s blind pick. The hotel offers a range of semi-luxury to luxury suites with added amenities such as

24/7 service, Haram view from certain rooms as well as special rooms for those who need added help. A noteworthy feature of this hotel is its easy access gate to the ladies’ section of Masjid Al Nabawi.  

Executive Premium

Sofitel Shahd Al Madinah

Donned with beautiful Arabian decor and a breathtaking view of the Mosque of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Sofitel’s Shahd Al Madinah is your go-to sustainable luxury accommodation at the heart of the city. Along with allowing primary access to Masjid Al Nabawi, their luxury services also allow exclusive access to private lounges and gourmet buffet spreads to accommodate all your changing cravings.  

Executive Luxury

The Oberoi Madina

Placed sophisticatedly within a kilometre of Masjid Al Nabawi, the Oberoi in Madina is the epitome of luxury and high living. Aside from housing the very creme de la creme of society, this exclusive property also windows a one-of-a-kind view of the Green Dome as well as the Masjid’s canopied courtyards. Coupled with Ready For Umrah’s exclusive chefs cooking up a storm to match your local delicacies, The Oberoi Madina also harbours several luxury awards for their dedicated and personalised services to cater to your every wish.  

Finding the right accommodation not only ensures a comfortable stay. When your hotel is within close proximity to the Holy Mosques and caters to your every need, it inspires better worship and a more holistic Umrah overall. We hope this overview of the best hotels in Makkah and Madinah

helps you get one step closer to your ideal Umrah. May Allah accept your Umrah and always keep you close to the Holy Lands.