By RIMA AL-MUKHTAR, RIMA.ALMUKHTAR@ARABNEWS.COM
Published: Aug 10, 2011 21:30 Updated: Aug 10, 2011 21:39
Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Haj with me,” said Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). As a result, Muslims from all over the world wish to perform Umrah especially during Ramadan.
Makkah receives visitors and guests in large numbers in the holy month; many of them stay in hotels near the Grand Mosque to be able to view the Holy Kaaba from their rooms.
Makkah hotels witness their high season in Ramadan, and people are willing to pay the price to enjoy an easy and comfortable Umrah with a stay that is close to the Grand Mosque.
Arab News undertook the mission of recommending five hotels near the Grand Mosque after receiving numerous requests from readers to find luxury hotels in Makkah. In no way do we claim that these are the best; the only reason these hotels are recommended is because they are all close to the Grand Mosque.
Raffles Makkah Palace
The hotel has a superior location within the iconic Abraj Al Bait complex (clock tower), directly neighboring the Grand Mosque and the Kaaba. It offers easy access to King Abdul Aziz Gate, the main entrance to the Grand Mosque. Residents can also enjoy a grand spread of Oriental, Mediterranean and Western cuisine favorites with classic specialties that are very true to their origin. The iftar and suhoor are at Al Qaser, along with other restaurants. The hotel also features an Islamic library with 2,000 books, special lounges and exceptional secretarial services present at the business center. read more here
A view of the Grand Mosque with hotel towers in the background
Categories: Asia, South Africa
During Hajj with my wife I managed to stay in a rather simple house of a Makkah resident. There were no beds, but mattresses on the floor. The family allowed us to share their ‘simple’ meals (which were totally ample). It was wonderful to have ready food when returning tired from the Mosque.
Recently we went for Umrah and stayed in a luxury hotel. The room was the same as it would have been in New York, London, Paris. We were yearning for the ‘good old days’ when we experienced the REAL MAKKAH!