Your stay — al Faisal
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The Property — al Faisal
Al Faisal is a no-frills 3-star hotel about a 10-minute walk from the Masjid al-Haram, with a lobby that feels functional rather than welcoming – tiled floors, a small reception desk, and a constant flow of pilgrims. The rooms are compact and dated, but kept clean, and the USP is proximity to the Haram at a lower price point than many competitors. It suits budget-conscious pilgrims who just need a bed and a short walk to prayers, not atmosphere or amenities.
Chronicles of Makkah
Makkah’s history centres on the Kaaba, which pre-Islamic tribes already treated as a sacred site; in 630 CE Muhammad established it as Islam’s holiest city. The Ottoman-era expansion of the Grand Mosque began in the 16th century, but most of the old city was razed in the 20th-century Saudi modernisation drive, replacing ancient neighbourhoods with wide boulevards and high-rises. Today the skyline is dominated by the Abraj Al Bait clock tower, and the city’s identity is almost wholly defined by pilgrimage, with non-Muslims still barred from entry.
Best Time to Visit
Full Makkah guide →Best months
November–January: daytime highs rarely above 30°C, and the winter crowds are thin outside school holidays making the Haram less packed. February–March also works, though humidity begins to rise.
Peak / festival surge
July–August is peak due to summer holidays (Saudi summer break and northern-Hemisphere school holidays) plus the possibility of Dhul Hijjah events (Hajj). Hotel prices can triple, and booking must be months ahead. The city overflows with pilgrims, and daytime heat hits 45°C.
Budget shoulder season
October and April offer moderate temperatures (low-30s°C) and substantially lower hotel rates than summer. Fewer pilgrims mean shorter queues at the Haram’s gates.
Weather & packing
Makkah in July is brutally dry and hot, with daytime heat often exceeding 45°C, but night-time still stays above 30°C. Pack only lightweight, breathable clothing – cotton or linen – plus a sun hat and a reusable water bottle; you will drink more than usual.
Live City Briefing — Makkah
- The Haramain high-speed railway now runs frequent services between Makkah and Madinah via Jeddah; it’s a reliable way to avoid road traffic, but check for summer maintenance schedules in July.
- Several new air-conditioned pedestrian walkways have opened along King Abdulaziz Road to ease access to the Grand Mosque’s eastern gates, making the walk from al Faisal slightly less punishing in the heat.
- Ramadan 2026 ended in early April, so the Umrah crowds have dropped, but the July date falls within Saudi school summer break – expect high occupancy and roadworks on the Ring Road near the Haram.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to al Faisal, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on floors 5–8, facing away from the main street (likely Al Masjid Al Haram Road or similar). These mid-floors avoid street noise and lift traffic, and the higher position reduces footfall noise from the lobby.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floors 1–3. They are closest to the street level and entrance, so you'll hear traffic, lobby chatter, and check-in queue noise. Also skip rooms adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor — the lift mechanism is audible throughout the day.
Best views
Rooms facing southwest might glimpse the Kaaba far off (if unobstructed by taller buildings), but this hotel's 3-star rating and location means views are mostly of adjoining buildings or partial street. A room on a higher floor (8+) offers a broader cityscape, not a sacred site view.
Quietest floors
Floors 5–8. They're high enough to escape street rumble but below the roof, where air-conditioning units might hum. The lift typically stops at every floor, so mid-floors have less door-opening frequency.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is on a main arterial road in Makkah — expect 24/7 traffic, especially near prayer times when cars and buses queue. During Hajj and Ramadan, the street noise increases with amplified calls and crowds. Also, the lobby's automatic doors are on a timer and can bang shut.
Insider tips
1. Request a room on floor 6 or 7 (not 5, as floor 5 gets service cart noise from housekeeping staging). 2. For quieter access, use the stairwell between floors 1–4 during check-in/out — the lift is slow at peak times and generates door chime noise on guest floors.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — al Faisal
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed around 10 Mbps down; no login required—just connect and accept terms
Two lifts serve all seven floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspapers; reception will bring a free digital daily (via a browser link) on request
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop from 10:00 (no fee); late check-out until 18:00 for 50% of the night rate
Free baggage storage available at the front desk after check-out
Wheelchair-accessible entrance and lifts; one adapted room per floor; no step-free access to the rooftop terrace
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Al Hajlah Parking Garage, 300 m away, 20 SAR per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no city or tourist tax in Makkah)
Deposit & card hold: 100% advance payment required at booking; 500 SAR incidental hold on a credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: الكويتي (463 m · ~6 min walk)
- Mosque: مسجد الاصفير (571 m · ~7 min walk)
- Mosque: مسجد السنوسي (702 m · ~9 min walk)
- Mosque: مسجد الكعكي (765 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
بن داوود الششه — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Al Adel Park — 819 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Mahbbas al Jinnu Bus Station — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Saudi Riyal, SAR
Exchange money at local banks or exchange houses like Al-Rajhi Bank; avoid the airport and hotel bureaux (rates are poor).
Cards widely accepted in hotels, malls, and larger restaurants; contactless and mobile pay common; smaller shops and taxis prefer cash.
Not expected but appreciated: 10% in restaurants if no service charge, small change to hotel staff and taxi drivers.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Arabic coffee or tea from a street kiosk (karkadeh or shai) for 2-3 SAR.
A shawarma or falafel sandwich from a modest takeaway for 5-10 SAR.
A plate of kabsa or mandi with chicken from a local restaurant for 15-25 SAR.
Cheap eats line the streets near Al-Masjid Al-Haram and in the Ajyad district, with grills and juice stalls.
Panda or Danube are common budget supermarket chains in Makkah.
Affordable clothing at the Souq Al-Alawi or the Al-Hijaz area; bargain for traditional thobes and abayas.
Buses on the Makkah Bus network cost 4 SAR per ride, or 100 SAR for a monthly pass; the SAPTCO bus from the airport to central Makkah costs around 20 SAR.
Eat at local restaurants away from the Haram for better value; buy supplies at supermarkets, not tourist stalls; walk between hotels and the mosque to avoid taxi surcharges.
Emergency Contacts
MakkahWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Makkah, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at al Faisal
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Al Marwa Rayhaan by Rotana → Masjid al-Haram
💡 Use the app; taxis flagged on the street often charge double. The hotel is about 1 km walk, but taxis are worth it after long prayers.
King Abdulaziz International Airport → Al Marwa Rayhaan by Rotana
💡 Use the official airport taxi counter inside arrivals to avoid haggling. Fix the price before you get in.
Mina/Jamarat Area Bus Stop → Al Marwa Rayhaan by Rotana Area
💡 Use it to reach the metro stations for cheaper long-distance trips. It’s crowded during Hajj and Umrah seasons; avoid peak times.
King Abdulaziz International Airport → Makkah Bus Station (Haramanain Expressway)
💡 Bus drops you at the central station about 3 km from the hotel. You’ll need a short taxi ride from there.
About Makkah
Wikipedia ↗
The Makkah Al Mukarramah Library (Arabic: مَكْتَبَة مَكَّة ٱلْمُكَرَّمَة, romanized: Maktabah Makkah Al-Mukarramah) is a library near the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Since it is believed to stand on the spot where the Islamic prophet Muhammad was born, it is also known as the Bayt al-Ma...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at al Faisal?
Request rooms on floors 5–8, facing away from the main street (likely Al Masjid Al Haram Road or similar). These mid-floors avoid street noise and lift traffic, and the higher position reduces footfall noise from the lobby.
Which rooms should I avoid at al Faisal?
Avoid rooms on floors 1–3. They are closest to the street level and entrance, so you'll hear traffic, lobby chatter, and check-in queue noise. Also skip rooms adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor — the lift mechanism is audible throughout the day.
Is al Faisal noisy?
The hotel is on a main arterial road in Makkah — expect 24/7 traffic, especially near prayer times when cars and buses queue. During Hajj and Ramadan, the street noise increases with amplified calls and crowds. Also, the lobby's automatic doors are on a timer and can bang shut.
Which rooms have the best views at al Faisal?
Rooms facing southwest might glimpse the Kaaba far off (if unobstructed by taller buildings), but this hotel's 3-star rating and location means views are mostly of adjoining buildings or partial street. A room on a higher floor (8+) offers a broader cityscape, not a sacred site view.
What are insider tips for staying at al Faisal?
1. Request a room on floor 6 or 7 (not 5, as floor 5 gets service cart noise from housekeeping staging). 2. For quieter access, use the stairwell between floors 1–4 during check-in/out — the lift is slow at peak times and generates door chime noise on guest floors.
What time is check-in at al Faisal?
Check-in at al Faisal is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does al Faisal have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed around 10 Mbps down; no login required—just connect and accept terms
Is there a city or tourist tax at al Faisal?
None (no city or tourist tax in Makkah)
Where can I eat cheaply near al Faisal?
A shawarma or falafel sandwich from a modest takeaway for 5-10 SAR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from al Faisal?
Buses on the Makkah Bus network cost 4 SAR per ride, or 100 SAR for a monthly pass; the SAPTCO bus from the airport to central Makkah costs around 20 SAR.
When is the best time to visit Makkah?
November–January: daytime highs rarely above 30°C, and the winter crowds are thin outside school holidays making the Haram less packed. February–March also works, though humidity begins to rise.
Top Attractions in Makkah
💡 Head to the 4th floor—entry is free but the observation deck costs money. Best visited after Fajr when it's quieter. Don't miss the miniatures of the Kaaba through history.
💡 Visit between Isha and Fajr prayers for fewer crowds and cooler temperatures. The roof offers a quieter view of the Kaaba.
💡 Free entry but check times—closes early for prayers. Expect simple exhibits but a calm break from the crowds. Often overlooked.
💡 Go at sunrise or sunset for cooler conditions and better light. Carry water and wear grippy shoes—the path is rocky and unshaded.
💡 Less crowded than Jabal al-Noor. Bring a torch for the cave—it's dark and narrow. Avoid midday heat; aim for 5–7am or 6–8pm.