In Makkah, Location is King. A 3-star hotel at the gate is often more valuable than a 5-star hotel 5km away.
The "Distance Trap"
Hotels often list "5 minutes from Haram".
- The Catch: That's 5 minutes by car (at 3 AM with no traffic). At prayer time, it's 45 minutes.
- Verify: Check Google Maps walking distance. If it's >1.5km, you need a shuttle bus.
The "Shuttle Bus" Reality
Hotels in Aziziyah or Kudai offer 24/7 shuttles.
- Pros: Cheap luxury.
- Cons: Post-prayer traffic jams. The bus drops you at bus stations (e.g., Kudai), which is still a 10 min walk to the actual Haram gate.
Star Standards
- Clock Tower 5-Star: World-class (Fairmont, Raffles).
- Older 5-Star (Ajyad): Might have worn carpets and older furniture. Read recent reviews!
