2 night stay for our first time at this hotel. So let's start with check-in. Not great. Just 2 members of staff, who didn't seem to be working particularly quickly through guests who were queuing up. Took about 25mins wait, which is not what you want.
The room itself, a junior suite, with one king bed and one separate seating area, was by and by clean, but this may just be down to the fact it is not regularly booked, so underused and not worn out as much.
The fixtures and fittings definitely could do with some refurbishment and upgrades. Mattress had no give and felt like a plank of wood, and the pillows were similar. The sofa was uncomfortable and sagged, as were the 2 small chairs, no cushions also. The curtains in both the seating room and the bedroom were on a pulley system which refused to budge and we're half open and couldn't be moved. Another fault we had to call down for was the actual wall/ceiling area on top of the main room door. The door would not close easily and needed a great big hard shove to close. On exiting I noticed that the plaster and wall around was cracking and the whole door frame was cracking. The reception staff sent a carpenter who came to look and said they would need to send a plasterer the next day. Needless to say no-one else turned up and the fault was still outstanding at the end of our stay. Neither did the cleaning staff hoover or brush up the growing pile of plaster and dust which accumulated each time the door was opened and closed.
Another bugbear of the room was the soundproofing, or better put, lack of any soundproofing whatsoever. We were subject to noise from the next door room all night, conversations and television sound coming through whilst trying to sleep. In the adjacent seating area, there was actually a great big gap in the wall by the window frame which allowed light and sound from the neighbours on the other side to come through. Very disconcerting.
The WiFi was woefully slow, to the point that we couldn't even load the qr code for the hotel services.
The shuttle service, if you could call it that, seemed kind of pointless if you're able bodied. It was quicker to walk. Literally a one minute ride on the way out.
My child was sick in the night and we needed a change of sheets for the bed. It took 2 phonecalls and then being put on hold and waiting 20mins, by which time I physically send down to reception to see what was going on.
There was supposedly a kids club on Floor H, which also houses the gym, but it was abandoned and was a bare room.
Ok let's put down something positive. The fridges in the room actually worked. The television sets were brand new slimline Samsung. But, annoyingly the actual channels and TV signal were not great. The lifts were fairly clean, if somewhat slow depending which set you were using. My wife commented that the reception area toilets were the cleanest she had ever come across and had attendants on hand to clean.
The car parking charge is also annoying, you'd think it would be free for guests or cheaper than the close to 75sar daily charge.
Access available cheap local food eateries, but may not be suitable for delicate constitutions. There are also a few shops in the hotel lobbies complex, selling clothes, prayer accessories etc along with a small mini mart for basic necessities, along with the obligatory barber shop and overpriced coffee shop/cafe.
Would we stay again? Possibly, due to location being not too far from the Haram and relatively budget friendly price. Would not recommend for older or disabled travellers as it would be challenging to get to the Holy Mosque even if using the shuttle bus. Just be prepared for a noisy stay, so bring ear plugs if you don't want to know exactly what your room neighbours talk about during the night.
MMarziraHotel Review: Raffles Makkah Palace
My recent stay at Raffles Makkah Palace was absolutely outstanding, offering a seamless blend of luxury, thoughtful touches, and exceptional service that made our experience unforgettable.
From the moment we arrived, we were greeted warmly by the reception team and delighted with a complimentary upgrade upon check-in. The upgraded room was not only spacious with breathtaking views but also impeccably clean and beautifully maintained, reflecting the hotel’s high standards.
A special thank you to the reception manager, whose professionalism and welcoming demeanor made the check-in process smooth and set a positive tone for our stay. Their attention to detail and commitment to ensuring our satisfaction were truly appreciated.
One of the thoughtful touches that enhanced our experience was the provision of bath salts, allowing us to unwind and relax after completing Umrah. It was a small but meaningful gesture that added to the overall sense of care.
The service throughout the hotel was exceptional. The housekeeping team was proactive, consistently checking in to ensure we had enough towels, toiletries, and other essentials, contributing significantly to our comfort.
Breakfast was another highlight of our stay. The breakfast service team was attentive and welcoming, ensuring we were comfortable and well taken care of. They even provided a walk-around tour of the buffet spread, introducing us to the menu and explaining the dishes. The breakfast theme was thoughtfully curated, offering a wide range of delicious options to suit every palate.
Desta and Sandhy stood out for their exceptional hospitality. They were incredibly helpful, attentive, and proactive in anticipating our needs, making us feel truly valued as guests. Hajar also deserves special recognition for her patience and creativity in resolving our requests with practical and thoughtful solutions.
The in-room dining team, especially Farouk, provided excellent service. Farouk’s attentiveness and efficiency ensured that every meal was delivered promptly and with care, enhancing our overall experience.
Raffles Makkah Palace sets the gold standard for luxury hospitality. With its outstanding service, thoughtful gestures, and exceptional team, it made our stay unforgettable. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Makkah and look forward to returning for another incredible stay.
UUmmu AbdillahDekat sekali dengan Haram
Akses ke haram bisa lewat mall, bisa juga keluar jalan Ibrahim Al Khalil
Ruangan luas, cocok untuk keluarga besar
Kami 8 dewasa dengan 2 anak di suite ini tetap terasa lega, alhamdulilah
Terima kasih juga Trip.com untuk koinnya