Ulasan Makarem Al-Bait Hotel

I usually stay a lot closer to the haram during my visit to Makkah, but during Ramadhan the prices rocket so I've had no other option but to find a clean tidy hotel at a reasonable price. I stayed here many times before (all during Ramadhan). The hotel is around 10 mins from the Haram by car. You cannot walk it from the hotel to the haram (not walkable distance, plus it goes through the mountain tunnels). You can get a taxi for around 10 rials to the haram, but on the way back it can be slightly more - around 15-20 rials (just keep haggling). From the drop off point, it's around 10 mins walk. The hotel does run a shuttle bus for free, but I've never used it simply because of the timing. The shuttle bus drops you at the coach station area which leads the footpath to Mount Marwa side of the haram. Don't bother looking for the shuttle bus from the haram to the hotel, it's a total nightmare and chaos during salah times so better off just taking a taxi. The rooms are clean, tidy and quite. The room service is horrible, they never clean your room despite several requests. The AC is good and blows cold air. A number of lifts, so you don't get stuck waiting around for ages. Due to it's location, it's not busy like the hotels right next to the haram. There are number of restaurants nearby and also a bin Dawood at walking distance. When you want to get a taxi from the haram and don't speak arabic, just tell the driver "Makaram al bait, khareeb Bin Dawood", this has worked for me each time - they will know exactly where you want to go. Like i said, don't pay more than 15 rials.. There is also a masjid very close to the hotel if you end up missing the prayer at the haram.