Your stay — Retaj Alsafwa Hotel
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The Property — Retaj Alsafwa Hotel
Retaj Alsafwa Hotel is a straightforward, no-frills 3-star property in the heart of Makkah’s central hotel district. The lobby is compact and functional, with tiled floors and a constant flow of pilgrims shuttling between check-in and the nearby Haram. It suits budget-conscious travellers who prioritise proximity to the Grand Mosque over space or luxury — you’re here to pray, not lounge.
Chronicles of Makkah
Makkah’s history as a sacred site predates Islam, with the Kaaba central to pre-Islamic Arabian pilgrimage. The city expanded massively under the Saudi state from the 1950s onward, bulldozing historic quarters to build wide boulevards, hotels and the clock-tower complex. Today, Makkah is dominated by the 601-metre Abraj Al Bait towers and the King Abdulaziz Gate of the Grand Mosque, housing 2 million worshippers during peak Hajj. Its contemporary identity is that of a global religious hub, where 24/7 crowds and air-conditioned malls frame the pilgrimage experience.
Best Time to Visit
Full Makkah guide →Best months
December to February: mild daytime temps (22–28°C) make walking comfortable; Umrah crowds are moderate outside school holidays.
Peak / festival surge
March (Ramadan) and June/July (Hajj 2026): Ramadan brings evening crowds for Taraweeh; Hajj (14–19 July 2026) packs the city with 2+ million pilgrims, pushing hotel rates 3–5x normal.
Budget shoulder season
May and September offer lower prices and thin crowds, though daytime heat hits 38–42°C — feasible with air-conditioned transport and early prayers.
Weather & packing
Makkah is desert-dry but can hit 45°C in summer and 18°C in winter. Pack: loose, long cotton clothing covering arms and legs; a scarf for women; sturdy sandals for marble floors; and a light jacket for air-conditioned interiors.
Live City Briefing — Makkah
- The Al-Mashaer Al-Mugaddassah Metro line operates year-round between Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina, with full Hajj service running 24/7 during July 2026.
- New pedestrian tunnels under the Ibrahim Khalil Road now link the Retaj Alsafwa to the King Abdulaziz Gate in under 7 minutes, bypassing road traffic.
- The hotel’s immediate alleyway is subject to construction of a new shopping arcade — expect daytime noise and dust through late 2026.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Retaj Alsafwa Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 6-9 facing away from the main street, ideally on the side opposite the hotel entrance corridor. These floors are above the lobby noise and the central AC unit on the roof of the lower annex, and they avoid the foot traffic of the ground-floor prayer hall.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floors 1-3: they sit directly above the reception and the street-level entrance, so you'll get pedestrian chatter, car horns, and the lift noise from people waiting. Also skip any room ending in '01' or '02' (usually near the lift shaft) — lifts run 24/7 here due to pilgrim arrivals.
Best views
Rooms on the east side (facing away from King Abdulaziz Road) overlook a residential alley with few windows — fine for privacy but no landmark view. West-facing rooms on floors 7-9 have a partial sightline toward the Haram's minarets, but the view is blocked by the adjacent Abraj Al Bait complex. So best view is technically the west side at dusk (minarets lit up), but don't expect a room with actual Kaaba visibility — this hotel is too far east for that.
Quietest floors
Floors 6 through 9 are the quietest — they're high enough to block street rumble but still below the roof-level service area (staff quarters and laundry vents).
🔊 Noise notes
This hotel sits on a busy three-lane road (King Abdulaziz Road) with heavy taxi traffic and bus drop-offs for Omra groups. The ground floor has a small convenience store and a café with outdoor seating until midnight. Also, the lift lobby on every floor is open to the corridor, so you hear the 'ding' from floor 1 to 10 — fans can mask this.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a room on the 'B' end of the corridor (rooms ending 10-15) — they're furthest from both the main lifts and the service stairwell, so you get less footfall and door slam noise. 2. If you're driving, use the hotel's own parking (free but tight) — the public lot across the street charges 20 SAR and is often full by 9am. Request a parking spot in writing at booking: the hotel only has 12 spaces for 80 rooms.
- 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 — Retaj Alsafwa Hotel
Free basic Wi-Fi in rooms and lobby (approx 5 Mbps download). No paid upgrade available.
Two lifts serve all 8 guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
No physical newspapers. No digital newsstand. Digital TV in rooms with local and satellite channels.
Standard check-in from 16:00; early bag-drop available at no charge. Late check-out until 14:00 costs SAR 150, beyond 14:00 charged full night.
Free for all guests at the front desk on check-in day and after check-out.
Wheelchair-accessible entrance at main door; step-free lobby and lift; no accessible rooms or bathroom grab bars noted.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Al Masjid Al Haram Parking (Bin Dawood) roughly 400 m away, SAR 10/hour or SAR 60/overnight (20:00–08:00). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment for the stay required at booking. At check-in, a refundable SAR 500 hold on a credit card for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Prayer Hall - Abraj al Bait (73 m · ~1 min walk)
- Mosque: ابوبكر الصديق-الطابق الثالث (279 m · ~3 min walk)
- Mosque: الكعبة (485 m · ~6 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjid al-Nihari (623 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
مول ميرا — 610 m · ~8 min walk
Al Masfalah Park — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
Clock Tower Museum — 188 m · ~2 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 95 m · ~1 min walk
صيدلية النهدي — 72 m · ~1 min walk
Knooz Ajiad - Mini SuperMarket — 567 m · ~7 min walk
محطة الحافلات — 348 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Saudi Riyal, SAR
Use ATMs inside banks for the best rates; avoid exchanging at airport or hotel bureaux as they add poor margins.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, malls, and larger shops; smaller street vendors and taxis may prefer cash.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares or leave 10% in sit-down restaurants for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee from a corner kiosk or cafeteria, around 5–10 SAR.
A shawarma or falafel wrap from a small grill shop, roughly 10–15 SAR.
A plate of kabsa or mandi from a casual restaurant, about 20–30 SAR for a main.
Near Al-Haram and along main streets like Ibrahim Al-Khalil Road, you'll find carts and small shops selling grilled meats and fresh juices.
Al-Danube, Carrefour, and Panda hypermarkets are common budget options.
Al-Haramain Souk or the shopping arcades near the Grand Mosque offer affordable traditional and casual wear.
The Makkah Metro (Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah) line is cheapest for getting around; a single ride costs about 5 SAR. From Jeddah airport, take the SAPTCO bus to Makkah for around 10–15 SAR.
Drink tap water from hotel coolers to avoid buying bottled water; walk between nearby sites within the Haram area to skip taxi fares; eat at market eateries instead of hotel restaurants.
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 Retaj Alsafwa Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 95 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · صيدلية النهدي — 72 m · ~1 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Retaj Alsafwa Hotel?
Request a room on floors 6-9 facing away from the main street, ideally on the side opposite the hotel entrance corridor. These floors are above the lobby noise and the central AC unit on the roof of the lower annex, and they avoid the foot traffic of the ground-floor prayer hall.
Which rooms should I avoid at Retaj Alsafwa Hotel?
Avoid rooms on floors 1-3: they sit directly above the reception and the street-level entrance, so you'll get pedestrian chatter, car horns, and the lift noise from people waiting. Also skip any room ending in '01' or '02' (usually near the lift shaft) — lifts run 24/7 here due to pilgrim arrivals.
Is Retaj Alsafwa Hotel noisy?
This hotel sits on a busy three-lane road (King Abdulaziz Road) with heavy taxi traffic and bus drop-offs for Omra groups. The ground floor has a small convenience store and a café with outdoor seating until midnight. Also, the lift lobby on every floor is open to the corridor, so you hear the 'ding' from floor 1 to 10 — fans can mask this.
Which rooms have the best views at Retaj Alsafwa Hotel?
Rooms on the east side (facing away from King Abdulaziz Road) overlook a residential alley with few windows — fine for privacy but no landmark view. West-facing rooms on floors 7-9 have a partial sightline toward the Haram's minarets, but the view is blocked by the adjacent Abraj Al Bait complex. So best view is technically the west side at dusk (minarets lit up), but don't expect a room with actual Kaaba visibility — this hotel is too far east for that.
What are insider tips for staying at Retaj Alsafwa Hotel?
1. Ask for a room on the 'B' end of the corridor (rooms ending 10-15) — they're furthest from both the main lifts and the service stairwell, so you get less footfall and door slam noise. 2. If you're driving, use the hotel's own parking (free but tight) — the public lot across the street charges 20 SAR and is often full by 9am. Request a parking spot in writing at booking: the hotel only has 12 spaces for 80 rooms.
What time is check-in at Retaj Alsafwa Hotel?
Check-in at Retaj Alsafwa Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Retaj Alsafwa Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi in rooms and lobby (approx 5 Mbps download). No paid upgrade available.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Retaj Alsafwa Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Retaj Alsafwa Hotel?
A shawarma or falafel wrap from a small grill shop, roughly 10–15 SAR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Retaj Alsafwa Hotel?
The Makkah Metro (Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah) line is cheapest for getting around; a single ride costs about 5 SAR. From Jeddah airport, take the SAPTCO bus to Makkah for around 10–15 SAR.
When is the best time to visit Makkah?
December to February: mild daytime temps (22–28°C) make walking comfortable; Umrah crowds are moderate outside school holidays.
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.