Odst Al Madinah Hotel

This hotel's most significant advantage is its exceptional proximity to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, often just a 3-5 minute walk, making it an ideal choice for pilgrims and religious travelers seeking convenient access to the holy site. While the location is consistently praised, guests frequently report challenges with the hotel's service quality and room conditions. The hotel is particularly suited for families and budget-conscious travelers who prioritize being close to the mosque above all else. However, many guests found the rooms to be cramped and the overall cleanliness inconsistent. To ensure a smoother experience, it is advisable to manage expectations regarding room size and daily housekeeping, and be prepared for potential delays during the check-in process.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a good number of elevators, which generally help with guest movement, though some guests experienced significant delays and crowding, especially during peak times, with waits sometimes extending up to half an hour. While the lobby can become congested and uncomfortable for waiting, the hotel does feature a convenient cafe and a mini-market on-site. Guests noted issues with Wi-Fi connectivity, particularly on higher floors (from the 9th floor upwards), indicating unreliable internet access. Furthermore, basic room accessories such as water, cups, tea bags, sugar, tissues, and toilet paper were frequently reported as missing upon arrival or not replenished, requiring guests to repeatedly request them. Parking is available, but it is often described as congested and small, with some guests needing to argue for entry.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Feedback on cleanliness and room comfort is largely negative. Many guests reported that rooms were not cleaned daily, and when they were, the cleaning was often superficial. Common complaints included dirty carpets, dirty bathrooms, unpleasant smells, and even sightings of roaches and bedbugs. Rooms are consistently described as very small and cramped, especially when accommodating four or five beds, leaving little to no space to move or pray. The beds themselves were often found to be hard and uncomfortable, with some being of different sizes or creaking. Bathrooms frequently needed renovation, with issues like mould, water pooling in the shower area due to a lack of a floor mat, leaking faucets, and broken doors. Additionally, noise levels were a concern due to poor acoustical isolation, allowing sounds from neighboring rooms to be easily heard.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's breakfast generally receives positive remarks, with guests appreciating the decent quality and variety of options, including Indonesian and African cuisine. However, some guests noted issues with the milk being watery and concerns regarding allergens on the buffet. In contrast, the main restaurant received poor reviews, with guests describing the food quality as very low. Room service was also a point of dissatisfaction, often described as limited, slow to respond, and requiring multiple requests for basic items.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is its strongest asset, consistently highlighted as excellent due to its extreme proximity to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, typically a mere 3 to 5-minute walk. It is conveniently situated near specific mosque gates, such as gate 328, 338, and 329, making access to prayers very easy. The surrounding area is vibrant, with numerous restaurants and shops within easy walking distance. The hotel's position in the same vicinity as many five-star hotels further underscores its prime location. For those arriving by bus or taxi, the hotel is generally easy to find, contributing to its overall accessibility.

Staff & Service
Guest feedback regarding staff and service is predominantly negative, particularly concerning the reception staff. Many described them as unfriendly, unprofessional, unhelpful, and lacking urgency, leading to slow check-in processes that could take hours, with rooms not being ready even after the official check-in time. There were also complaints about a lack of clear queuing systems and poor English communication skills among some receptionists. Housekeeping received mixed reviews; while some guests found the staff helpful and responsive, many others reported them as rude, uncooperative, and often refusing to clean rooms daily or ignoring requests for amenities. The overall service was frequently characterized as slow and below expectations, with issues like only one key card being provided per room, making it difficult for multiple occupants.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the hotel typically provides only one key card per room, which can be inconvenient for groups or families, and obtaining additional cards can be challenging. There were reports of the hotel's non-smoking rules not being strictly enforced, leading to issues with smoke odors in rooms. Some guests experienced significant problems with their bookings, including instances where the hotel changed their reservation to a different property without prior notification or allocated a smaller room than what was paid for due to overbooking. The hotel also reportedly declined luggage storage for early arrivals, requiring guests to wait for their rooms without a place to store their belongings.