Mecca hotels

This 214-room "palace" is up there with the most luxurious hotels in Mecca. As impressive as it is from the outside, it’s considerably more so on the inside, ensuring you experience the stylish comfort Raffles is known for.

Having been built in 2010, Raffles Makkah Palace continues to deliver on its original mission—to cater for modern Hajj pilgrims. The architecture and design aesthetic ensure that it reflects its cultural heritage and is one of the best hotels in Mecca.

I love that it has its own private entrance to the city’s Holy Mosque, which makes it a truly convenient option. Another standout feature of the hotel is the Al Qasr Restaurant. It’s the ideal place to take in the view of the Grand Mosque from the terrace—I could sit there for hours.

The 10,000-seat prayer hall is a standout feature of this 600-room hotel. If you’re visiting Mecca on pilgrimage, the hotel provides easy access to King Fahad Gate, the main entrance to the Prophet Muhammad’s Mosque, and the Holy Kaaba, the building at the centre of the Great Mosque in Mecca—one of Islam’s holiest sites.

While the furnishings could be considered over the top, the guestrooms are spacious and have stunning mosque or skyline views. What’s more, each room is fitted with speakers so that the Adhan or "call to prayer" can be heard clearly.

Even if you’re not of the Muslim faith, having the chance to experience this is a privilege and an educational experience, in my opinion.

Located in the Al Shubaikah area, this is one of Mecca’s newest luxury hotels, with some of the friendliest employees. Staff are consistently welcoming and willing to assist here. This gracious approach is felt right across the hotel, which attracts guests as much for its spiritual vibe as its location, minutes from the Grand Mosque.

One of the best hotels in Mecca, the property has been designed with traditional Arab wind towers in mind. It immediately offers a sense of place and a tranquil home-away-from-home feel to reflect and take in the magnitude of Mecca. Minarets are visible from just about every corner of the hotel.

I also have to make a special mention of the dining options here. If you love Persian, Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian and Indo-Pakistani cuisine, you won’t be disappointed—they’re all on offer here, meaning there’s no need to venture out unless you want to.

For most travellers, accessibility, location and comfort are all part of the appeal when it comes to selecting a hotel. I have to say that the fact this Al Ghufran Safwah Hotel has a supermarket and accompanying shopping arcade is particularly appealing to me.

I’ve travelled a lot, and after a long day it’s great to be able to find snacks and not have to wander too far from the hotel if I fancy a look at the shops after dinner.

Authenticity, warmth and culture are three words I’d use to describe the vibe of this 324-room property. While perhaps not quite as luxurious as some of the other hotels in the city, Al Ghufran Safwah Hotel Makkah is well-positioned in front of the King Abdulaziz gate—one of old Masjid al-Haram’s four major gates—in Safwa Towers.

Home to the world’s highest prayer room with panoramic views of the Kaaba, this hotel is next-level. Certified by Guinness World Records, the hotel’s impressive Sky Mussallah can cater to 520 people in prayer at any one time. Taking in this sacred city from 483 metres up is something else, cementing the Address Jabal Omar Makkah’s status as one of the best hotels in Mecca.

For those who want to get a closer look at the Kaaba, the hotel is 11 minutes away and has a shuttle bus to and from the Grand Mosque. Whether your visit to Mecca is for a luxury escape or culturally driven, this 1,484-room hotel can’t be faulted.

I like that the two towers are in an area that has shops with well-known brands and top dining options, from food halls to restaurants. If you’re after a discreet arrival and departure, there are even two helipads.

If you’re looking for a quieter, less crowded hotel, this is the place to book. Just a minute by foot from the Grand Mosque, the Jabal Omar Hyatt Regency Makkah is considered one of the best hotels in Mecca and a "hidden gem".

Not only is it easier to score a ride in one of the eight elevators without feeling like a sardine or being forced to wait, but you’ll also find a range of spacious, comfortable rooms—656 spread over 19 floors. Positioned close to the central gates of the Mosque, the hotel’s golden facade is hard to miss, as is its breakfast spread, which I give a big thumbs up.

The Arabesque influence is apparent throughout the hotel, with Islamic motifs, symbols, and Arabic calligraphy artworks providing a lovely sense of place. Meanwhile, floor-to-ceiling windows offer mesmerizing views of the holy city.

This is one of those hotels guests return to time and time again. They do so not only because of the hotel’s proximity to the city’s religious hub, but also for its comfort and hospitality. Nothing is a problem for the friendly Anjum Hotel staff, who are available day and night for everything from car rental needs and currency exchange to tour and ticket bookings.

One of the best hotels in Mecca, Luxury and Executive Suite guests in particular will appreciate the Heraa Lounge on level 26, from which you can take in panoramic city views while enjoying complimentary food and beverages.

I particularly like that the check-in time here is 2 pm, especially when some other hotels insist on check-ins as late as 4 or 5 pm. It gives you plenty of time to relax and enjoy the hotel, no matter how long you happen to be staying.

This Fairmont is the fairest of them all, especially considering it’s one of the world’s tallest buildings holding the biggest clock. The focal point of Mecca’s Clock Towers complex, Makkah Clock Royal Tower has 76 floors and 1,650 rooms and suites, making it one of the biggest and best hotels in Mecca.

The hotel’s Gold Room category and guestrooms on the Fairmont Royal Floor elevate the clientele here, though that does mean the price point is higher across the board, which is worth keeping in mind.

Elevators and the communal areas are often crowded due to the hotel’s prime location, but the hustle and bustle is all part of the appeal for me. I’m a big fan of the spa facilities here, too. There’s nothing better than a steam room, sauna and massage after a busy day of sightseeing.

It’s no surprise that the rooms with Haram views are the most popular at Hilton Suites Makkah, so it’s best to book well in advance if those vistas are a dealbreaker. The fact that this 434-room hotel is connected to Jabal Omar Mall is a big plus for travellers like me, who love to have access to shops and dining options outside the hotel.

Cultural visitors will appreciate the prayer halls with views of the Grand Mosque. The hotel, which has recently undergone an upgrade, is located across from the entrance gates to the Masjid al-Haram and Kaaba mosques.

The vibrant furnishings give this high-rise property a real lift. I particularly like the geometric lattice works, Islamic motifs and fretwork. If you’re a people watcher like me, you’ll enjoy sitting in the lobby lounge or one of the hotel’s three cafés, sipping tea and taking it all in.

This is one of the best hotels in Mecca within the Clock Towers complex, providing guests direct access to the Grand Mosque from Ibrahim Al-Khalil Street and the B2 tunnel entrance. The 1,624-room hotel also adjoins a shopping complex, and the spacious guestrooms sleep up to three adults.

Design-wise it has an understated approach, with rooms featuring crisp white linens and Arabic calligraphy artworks. There’s one thing you must do while you’re here when the sightseeing is done—visit the Alasema ice cream store.

It’s just 250m from the hotel on King Abdulaziz Road. For an affordable local meal, seek out Al Baik on Um Al Qura Road; it’s fast food, but it’s delicious and well worth the 3.2 km trip.