Based on our February 2023 stay | Tips for budget travelers
Finding the right hotel in Madinah is one of the most important decisions when planning your Umrah. You want to be close enough to Masjid an-Nabawi for easy access, but hotels right next to the mosque can be extremely expensive. We chose Artal Taiba Hotel in the Qurban neighbourhood — and it turned out to be a solid choice for budget-conscious pilgrims. Here’s our honest review.
The booking at a glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Hotel | Artal Taiba Hotel |
| Location | Qurban neighbourhood, Madinah (~1.4 km from Masjid an-Nabawi) |
| Room type | Superior Triple Room (Room Only) |
| Duration | 3 nights (Feb 12–15, 2023) |
| Total cost | SAR 1,650 (~$440 / ~₹37,000) |
| Cost per night | SAR 550 (~$147 / ~₹12,300) for the room |
| Per person per night | SAR 183 (~$49 / ~₹4,100) |
| Booking.com rating | 7.4/10 (based on ~6,000 reviews) |
| Check-in / Check-out | 4:00 PM / 12:00 PM |
Location
Artal Taiba Hotel sits in the Qurban area of Madinah, approximately 1.4 km from Masjid an-Nabawi. According to Google Maps, it’s about a 24-minute walk — and honestly, on flat roads, it felt more like 15–20 minutes to the nearest entrance (the Jannat ul-Baqi side).
The hotel is also close to several other Islamic landmarks: Al Baqi Cemetery is about 0.9 km away, Quba Mosque is 2.3 km away, and the Green Dome is roughly 1.1 km.
Walking to the mosque: We walked on most days and it was comfortable, especially in February when the weather was pleasant (20–25°C). The roads are flat and well-lit, making even early morning Fajr walks manageable. During summer months (40°C+), you’d probably want to use the shuttle instead.
The free shuttle service: What we didn’t fully appreciate during our stay — and what many guests have praised — is that the hotel offers a free shuttle service to Masjid an-Nabawi. The shuttle departs approximately 30 minutes before each prayer time and picks up about 30 minutes after each prayer. This is a significant perk for a budget hotel and eliminates the need for taxis.
Ride-hailing as backup: Careem and Uber both work well in Madinah. A ride from the hotel to the mosque costs SAR 10–15 (~$3–$4). We used this a few times for late-night returns.
The room
What we got:
A clean, well-maintained triple room on an upper floor. The room had three single beds, air conditioning that worked really well (important in Saudi Arabia!), a flat-screen LCD TV with satellite channels, a small fridge with good cooling, an electric kettle for tea and coffee, and a private bathroom with rainfall showerhead, toiletries, and clean towels replaced daily.
We were pleasantly surprised by the room — it was exactly as shown in the booking photos. Clean white linen, functional furniture, and everything worked as expected.
Bonus: From our room on the 5th floor, we had a partial view of the minarets of Masjid an-Nabawi. Waking up to that sight was a beautiful way to start each day.
Hotel amenities
The hotel offers more amenities than you’d expect at this price point:
- Free WiFi throughout the property (decent speed for messaging and basic browsing)
- Free parking (useful if you’ve rented a car)
- Free shuttle to Masjid an-Nabawi (30 mins before each prayer)
- 24-hour front desk with friendly, English-speaking staff
- Fitness center / gym
- Laundry facilities
- Room service
- Luggage storage (handy if your checkout is before your departure)
- Express check-in/check-out
- Complimentary bottled water in the room
- 280 air-conditioned rooms — it’s a sizeable, well-established property
- Restaurant on-site (Pakistani restaurant right below the hotel)
- Gift shop in the building
What we liked
Cleanliness and room quality: The room was spotless — clean sheets, fresh towels, and daily housekeeping. For a budget hotel, the cleanliness standards were genuinely impressive. Guest reviews on Booking.com give it a 7.7 out of 10 for cleanliness, which matches our experience.
The staff: Multiple reviewers — and we agree — highlight the staff as the hotel’s strongest point. The front desk team was polite, helpful, and responsive. They assisted with local directions, taxi recommendations, and prayer time inquiries. Booking.com rates the staff 8.0 out of 10.
Value for money: At SAR 183 per person per night, you’re getting a clean, well-equipped room with free shuttle, free WiFi, free parking, a gym, and a restaurant in the building. That’s hard to beat in the holy city.
Food nearby: There’s a Pakistani/Indian restaurant right below the hotel — perfect for dal, roti, biryani, and other familiar dishes at affordable prices. Plus a small shop selling gifts and essentials. The Qurban area generally has plenty of food options within a 5-minute walk.
The location for Quba Mosque: If visiting Quba Mosque is on your list (and it should be — praying there on a Saturday carries the reward equivalent to an Umrah!), the hotel is only 2.3 km away, making it very convenient.
What could be better
Meals not included: Our booking was room-only. While the restaurant downstairs was convenient, having breakfast included would have been ideal, especially before early morning mosque visits. Some booking options do include meals — check when comparing rates.
WiFi for heavy use: The WiFi worked fine for WhatsApp and basic browsing, but wasn’t strong enough for video calls or streaming. If you need reliable high-speed internet, consider getting a local Saudi SIM card with data (available at the airport or mobile shops for SAR 50–100).
Distance during extreme heat: While the 1.4 km walk was comfortable in February, it would be challenging during summer months when temperatures soar above 45°C. In summer, you’d rely more heavily on the shuttle service or taxis.
Guest reviews snapshot
The hotel has strong review numbers across platforms:
| Platform | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Booking.com | 7.4 / 10 | ~6,000 reviews |
| Hotels.com | Positive — “clean and perfect” | Multiple reviews |
| Kayak | Good — “good value for money” | Multiple reviews |
Common praise points across reviews: clean rooms, friendly staff, good value, free parking, and the shuttle service. The most common suggestion: could improve WiFi speed and add more meal options.
Would I stay here again?
Yes, I would. Artal Taiba Hotel delivered exactly what a budget-conscious Umrah pilgrim needs — a clean, comfortable base in the holy city with reliable transport to the mosque. The free shuttle service, friendly staff, and good room quality make it a genuinely solid choice.
For our next Umrah, InshAllah, I’d either return here (now that I know about the shuttle schedule better) or look for a similar hotel in the same area — a Zone B property with shuttle service remains the sweet spot between affordability and convenience.
Tips for booking your Madinah hotel
Understand the zone system:
Zone A — Walking distance (0–1 km): SAR 300–800+ per person per night. Premium hotels near Masjid an-Nabawi. Best for short stays, elderly travelers, and those prioritizing maximum mosque time.
Zone B — Short walk or shuttle (1–3 km): SAR 100–300 per person per night. Areas like Qurban. Many hotels offer free shuttle service. Artal Taiba falls in this zone. Best value for most travelers.
Zone C — Further out (3–5 km): SAR 50–150 per person per night. You’ll rely on taxis. Best for young, budget-focused solo travelers.
What to look for when booking:
- “Does the hotel offer a free shuttle to Masjid an-Nabawi?” — this is the single most important question for Zone B hotels
- “Is breakfast included?” — saves time and money each morning
- “What’s the walking distance to the nearest mosque entrance?” — some hotels quote distance to the mosque complex, not the actual entrance
- Check guest reviews specifically from Umrah travelers on Booking.com — they mention shuttle reliability and mosque access
Booking tips:
Use Booking.com or Agoda to compare prices — they often show deals not available on the hotel’s own website. Book 1–2 months ahead for regular Umrah season, and 3–6 months ahead for Ramadan. Look for “free cancellation” options if your travel plans might change — they cost slightly more but provide peace of mind.
Hotel details for booking
Hotel: Artal Taiba Hotel (فندق ارتال طيبة) Address: Qurban neighbourhood, Abu Qatada Al Ansari Street, Madinah 42316, Saudi Arabia Phone: +966 14 848 1313 Email: artaltaibah@artalhotels.com Website: artaltaibahotel.com
Final thoughts
Artal Taiba Hotel was a pleasant surprise. Going in with modest expectations for a budget hotel, we came away impressed by the cleanliness, staff friendliness, and overall value. The Qurban area is a legitimate, comfortable neighbourhood for Umrah pilgrims — and at SAR 183 per person per night, it’s one of the best-value options in Madinah.
The Prophet’s Mosque is where your heart will be. Your hotel just needs to get you there comfortably. Artal Taiba does that well.
May Allah accept your prayers in the city of His beloved Prophet. Ameen.
Related articles:
- → How I Self-Booked Umrah for My Family — Complete Guide
- → SAPTCO Bus from Madinah to Makkah — Complete Guide
- → How to Get an Umrah Visa — India & USA Guide
- → Hotel Review: Budget Stay in Makkah
Disclaimer: This review is based on our personal stay in February 2023, supplemented with publicly available guest reviews from Booking.com, TripAdvisor, and other platforms. Hotel conditions, prices, and services may have changed. Always check current reviews and prices before booking. Some links may be affiliate links (see our Disclaimer for details).