Medina hotels

This 328-room hotel is the go-to for royal visitors and notable names, and is known for being one of the best luxury hotels in Medina. It’s so popular not only because it’s less than a kilometre from the resting place of the Prophet Muhammed, but also because it offers a first-class hospitality experience.

One of the best hotels in Medina, its free valet parking is a standout offering, as is the Al Ansar dining room, which is open 24/7. Female pilgrims will appreciate that the closest entrance to the mosque is the ladies' gate. Rooms are spacious yet cosy, each with a minibar, espresso machine, and free daily newspapers. For the ultimate experience, book a suite with a view of the Prophet’s Mosque.

Those with a sweet tooth would do well to seek out the best ice cream in town at Taibah Bardisi Sweets shop, just 2 km away.

This 324-room hotel is right next to the courtyard of Islam’s second-holiest mosque and just 10 minutes from King Abdulaziz Library.

Some rooms have views of the Masjid Nabawi, allowing guests to gaze over the holy site day and night. With the Taiba Mall and the Bin Dawood Supermarket right next door, it’s also a great place to indulge in some retail therapy.

Rooms are made for comfort and luxury, with sitting areas and marble-laden bathrooms. Each is equipped with live mosque speakers, which is all part of the experience. Top tip: visit the Holy Quran Exhibition nearby – it’s an interesting cultural lesson for everyone, regardless of faith.

Just minutes by foot from the ladies’ entrance to the Prophet’s Mosque, the Sofitel Shahd Al Madinah is ideal for group stays. The 469-room hotel offers triple rooms, some with views of the mosque and Haram Plaza, and can sleep up to six adults in its suites with partial Haram views.

One of the best hotels in Medina, guests can access the reception 24/7 and, with the hotel positioned within the pedestrian precinct, it’s very conveniently located. Aside from the Islamic touches and French-inspired decor, I love that the heritage and history of this holy city is felt throughout the property, from the afternoon tea experience to the all-day dining restaurant, Arabesque.

Points of interest near the hotel include the Old Bazaar, Mazaya Mall, and Al Baqia Cemetery. Be sure to include The Beautiful Names of Allah exhibition in your itinerary; it’s not to be missed.

This is one of the best hotels in Medina for location, offering guests a prime spot to base themselves in the city centre. Expect views of Uhud Mountain, a site significant to Saudi’s history, and, of course, the Prophet’s Mosque, which is just 300 m away. When lit up, it’s a visual feast for the senses.

Rooms in this top boutique hotel in Medina are spacious and decked out with bright furnishings, historic photos, and arched windows emblazoned with Islamic motifs. The sense of place – or Saudi pride, as I like to call it – is loud and proud here.

Mealtimes are full of Middle Eastern flavour, with the hotel’s on-site Al Safa Restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For those keen on a taste of home, there’s a Starbucks about 300 m from the hotel entrance.

When it comes to this award-winning property, it would be easier to list the accolades it hasn’t achieved. Dallah Taibah Hotel has been a World Best Luxury Hotel Award nominee, won Saudi’s Best Country Hotel title, and received several excellence awards for hospitality.

You’ll be saying alhamdulillah (praise be to God) as soon as you set foot in the lobby, which has a staircase fit for royalty, and a coffee shop from which to take it all in. Rooms, which can be configured in quadruple, triple, and queen options with two queen beds and interconnecting rooms, all have flatscreen TVs and premium toiletries.

The 473-room hotel is 50 metres from the Prophet’s Mosque and just a short stroll from the shops.

This hotel’s private shuttle bus to the mosque is one of its main drawcards, especially during the oppressive summer months. As it’s a new hotel, you can expect it to be a bit busier, with local and international guests keen to experience it.

Marketed as a ‘tranquil sanctuary in which to enjoy a unique spiritual experience’, the 836-room hotel exudes a sense of the culture’s warmth and invites both Islamic pilgrims and guests of all faiths.

Its position 150 m from Bab Al Salam, one of the Grand Mosque’s oldest gates, makes this one of the best hotels in Medina for location. Al-Baqi Cemetery is also close by and a must-visit for those looking to brush up on Arab history. While the food is good here, if you want to venture out pre- or post-dinner, the Medina Dates Market is an absolute delight and just 250 m from the hotel.

The Le Méridien Medina sure knows how to make life easier for travellers. Not only does it offer free parking, but it also provides express check-in and check-out and an airport shuttle. The hotel sauna, 24-hour room service, and multitude of staff who speak multiple languages are the icing on the cake. I also like that the check-in time is 2 pm, which is earlier than most.

The rooms are designed for comfort and have air conditioning, coffee makers, and plug and play panels. There’s a great on-site restaurant, Al-Roshan, which serves lunch and dinner, as well as a health club.

While this 190-room low-rise hotel isn’t as close to the Grand Mosque precinct as some other properties on this list, it is close to the first and oldest Islamic cemetery in Medina, Al-Baqi, the Quba Mosque, and Mount Uhud.

The Emaar Royal Hotel is favoured by Middle Eastern travellers. Not only does it have all the trappings of cultural pride, but it’s laden with marble and rich furnishings. I enjoy the constant buzz of activity in and around this hotel, and I think you will too.

Located in the northern part of the city’s central area, it’s one of the best hotels in Medina for female guests thanks to its proximity to the women’s gate entry to the Prophet’s Mosque. Select rooms have views of Mount Uhud or the mosque. For those hiring a car, free parking is available, which is a bonus given most other properties charge for the privilege.

While the hotel has two on-site eateries, serving Asian and international fare, I encourage you to venture out for a meal. There are plenty of interesting offerings in the streets surrounding the hotel.

This new property is run by an enthusiastic team who love their job. And, in my experience, when the staff are happy, the guests are too. You’ll find this Medina hotel in the city center, 700m from the Grand Mosque. Rooms are air-conditioned, each with a private bathroom and complimentary toiletries.

Although I mostly travel solo, I did notice that the clientele here tends to be mainly couples, meaning this is one of the best hotels in Medina for a romantic getaway. Do yourself a favour: if you stay here, make sure to order a piece of cheesecake at the on-site restaurant; it’s divine.

It doesn’t get more central than the Madinah Hilton. While the Holy Mosque is a short walk from the lobby, guests can access the Souq Al Saha Mall in five minutes by car. Within three blocks of the hotel, you’ll find Taibah, Anwar Al Madinah and Haram malls, making this one of the best hotels in Medina for those who want to be in the heart of the action.

I’m a big fan of the hotel’s buffet breakfast – it’s hearty and caters to all tastes. The 357 rooms are clean, well-designed, and functional. The best feature, in my opinion, are the green mosaic window embellishments, which are just beautiful.

I particularly appreciate the local touches that appear throughout the property. Don’t miss the chance to dine at the hotel’s Madinah Restaurant, where I highly recommend ordering the lobster thermidor.