Your Complete Guide to Choosing a Hotel Near the Haram 

Makkah is the most spiritually fulfilling destination in the world, especially for people of the Muslim faith. For this reason, this destination welcomes millions of Muslims from all over the world. Millions of pilgrims and worshippers travel to Makkah annually for Umrah and Hajj, making it one of the busiest destinations in the world. When planning trips to Makkah, one of the most important things that travellers consider is accommodation. Finding the right accommodation is important for the journey as it can affect your comfort, peace, convenience, and overall experience. Hotels near the Haram are especially popular for Makkah visitors. This is because the Haram is where Makkah visitors spend most of their time. When choosing Hajj or Umrah hotels, you need to be cautious. Here is your guide for making sure you choose the right hotel near Haram.

Location: Where to find hotels near Haram

As mentioned above, when choosing a hotel in Makkah, you should consider one that is near Haram, known in full as Masjid al-Haram or holiest mosque. This means that the hotel should provide you with convenient and easy access to Haram. The Haram is the epicentre of Islamic worship and pilgrimage. It is a revered site where worshippers in Makkah spend most of their time, for prayers and other religious activities and rituals.

In addition to proximity, staying near Haram gives you peace of mind. You do not have to worry about accessing the mosque during busy times or dealing with traffic or the constant travels to and from the mosque. Furthermore, the area is stunning, with exquisite views, great food establishments, and a calmness that is challenging to explain. Some locations that are nearest to the Haram where you can look for a hotel are:

● Ajyad - based near the southern gate of the Haram (walking distance to the holiest mosque).

● Al Misfalah - south of the holiest mosque, still walking distance.

● Aziziyah district - located about 3-5 km from the Haram and is the most affordable place.

● Ibrahim Al Khalil street - the street runs directly towards the Haram and hosts numerous hotels, shopping centers, and restaurants.

● Al Shisha and Al Rasaifah - these are areas located between Mina and the city center of Makkah. While they are a bit further from the Haram, the destinations still offer convenient transportation services, like shuttles.

Hotel types: Types of hotels to expect and look into

The beauty about the areas near Haram is that they offer several kinds of accommodation. Some types of hotels you can expect from this area include, luxury 5-star hotels, mid-range, apartment-style, guest houses, and budget hotels. They differ in terms of the facilities and amenities they offer, costs, and services. Your choice should be based on your needs and budget.

Services and amenities: What to look for in the hotels

For a pilgrimage or a spiritual trip, you do not need much luxury. In fact, focusing on luxury is ill-advised. However, you still need some essentials and a place that will add to your experience instead of taking away from it. Below are some of the mandatory elements you should look for when choosing a hotel near Haran:

Comfort - make sure the hotel rooms are spacious and offer the comfort you need for rest after long days of worship.

Essentials - make sure the hotels offer essential facilities like transportation to the Haram and other activities during your pilgrimage. Other essentials are Wi-Fi, food, room service, and cleaning services.

Prayer area and facilities - it is important that the hotels offer private prayer facilities and areas to make your pilgrimage easier.

Conclusion

Trips to Makkah are not ordinary holidays. They are spiritual trips that include performing a lot of Umrah or Hajj, which require a lot of physical energy, emotional strength, resilience, and patience. It involves long hours of prayers, rituals, and moving around by walking. For this reason, finding the perfect place to stay is vital. It will give you a place to rest and rejuvenate. In a nutshell, your accommodation will impact your overall pilgrimage experience. The guide above will help you make the right choice and find the perfect accommodation.