Advice please :)

[Loobna]

:salams

Inshallah my family and I will be going for Umrah this summer :)

We have our flight booked and are looking for accommodation there - we have someone who has offered us stay in these hotels-

Al-Rawasi 4* hotel in Makkah 120m from Haram B&B
Safir 4* hotel in Madinah 90m B&B

Has anyone stayed at/heard of these hotels who can give us a bit of advice as to what they're like and distance to Haram? Or if anyone knows of a travel agent to go with to book for accommodation - we want something near but reasonably priced.

[K h a l i l]

Im going this summer too inshallah.. but sry.. no advise.. I dont know anything bout that place.

[RaNdOm]

Im going this summer too inshallah.. but sry.. no advise.. I dont know anything bout that place.

:salams

lol sames inshaAllah inshaAllah inshaAllah :D:D:D

[mizfissy815]

Me too! InshAllah!

Al-Rawasi (the one in the Ghazah area) is rather good. In terms of facilities it has pretty much everything you'd need. It's not far from the Haram either and you can get a view of it (the Haram) from some of the rooms.

I think it's about an hour (or an hour and 10 min) from Jeddah's International Airport too.

[Unique Muslimah]

:salams

Inshallah my family and I will be going for Umrah this summer :)

We have our flight booked and are looking for accommodation there - we have someone who has offered us stay in these hotels-

Al-Rawasi 4* hotel in Makkah 120m from Haram B&B
Safir 4* hotel in Madinah 90m B&B

Has anyone stayed at/heard of these hotels who can give us a bit of advice as to what they're like and distance to Haram? Or if anyone knows of a travel agent to go with to book for accommodation - we want something near but reasonably priced.

I stayed at Dar-Ar-Rawasi (Bab Malik Abd-Al Aziz) a couple of years back,it wasn't so good then.When I went last summer,they had totally refurbished it so it should be ok insha'Allah:up:

[*hayat*]

Safir 4* hotel in Madinah

it is a very nice place to stay...i dont know exact distance of walking but really it depends which door to take to entre haram, planing could help

[Loobna]

Jazakallah to all for the advice. Does anyone know where is best to buy Quran CD's/tapes and Islamic books? Also jilbabs/abayas and hijabs?

[Unique Muslimah]

Jazakallah to all for the advice. Does anyone know where is best to buy Quran CD's/tapes and Islamic books? Also jilbabs/abayas and hijabs?
The Hunain shop,which is on the opposite side to dar-ar-rawasi..
Also Da'wah corner in makkah mall,they have loads of books and CDs and stuff
..Abayahs and Jilbabs you can get from everywhere pretty much.:up:

[Unique Muslimah]

Loobna,when are you going(Insha'Allah)

[skelly]

Jazakallah to all for the advice. Does anyone know where is best to buy Quran CD's/tapes and Islamic books? Also jilbabs/abayas and hijabs?

salams

anywhere really but for abayas i would recommed hijab al kleej its in macca in the dindawood shopping place next to hilton towers its on the 2nd/3rd floor they do tailor made for about £20/25 and is quality stuff next to the shop there is a very expensive shop called bedoon or somthing like that where all the abayas cost anything from £120+ just copy a design take it to the shop and in 2 days times youve got the same designs as for tapes etc.. in medina next to golden ansar hotel and in between the raymond weil shop there are 4 shop in the second one first one is grocers theres a really cool bloke called asad speaks english ive always bought frrom him hope that helps

[Loobna]

Loobna,when are you going(Insha'Allah)

Beginning of August Inshallah :) Cant wait! Jazakallah to all for the advice.

[thetruth]

Jazakallah to all for the advice. Does anyone know where is best to buy Quran CD's/tapes and Islamic books? Also jilbabs/abayas and hijabs?


asalam alikam wrt brk,

Not sure about those particular hotels; but I would advise everyone who is going to try and get pictures from the travel agent of the accomodation they are staying in.

Makkah is the best place to get your books / clothing from.

The shopping plaza opposite right oppostie the masjid has quality clothing (jilbabs / hijabs / jubah / hats etc etc) and also has some good book shops; do haggle on the prices though, they are way over priced!

may Allah make it easy for you and your family!

w.s wrt brk

[munyeka]

Sallams

If it is Safir Saha you are talking about in Madinah, then it is about 4 minute walk to courtyard of the Haram and a further few more minutes to the doors of Masjid - e Nabawi.

It is very near to where the womens entrance is to go pray Salaam, and the grave of Sayyiddina Muhammed s.a.w.

May Allah accept ur Umrah from you and make it easy for you

Safir Saha is a nice hotel!

[bint]

Ive never heard of those hotels.

[urban_rose]

Sallams

If it is Safir Saha you are talking about in Madinah, then it is about 4 minute walk to courtyard of the Haram and a further few more minutes to the doors of Masjid - e Nabawi.

It is very near to where the womens entrance is to go pray Salaam, and the grave of Sayyiddina Muhammed s.a.w.

May Allah accept ur Umrah from you and make it easy for you

Safir Saha is a nice hotel!

thats what ive heard too :)

Ameen

[ur_yusra]

How long did it take you to get a visa?

[Unique Muslimah]

Beginning of August Inshallah :) Cant wait! Jazakallah to all for the advice.

Yay Masha'Allah.Check your rep;)

[Loobna]

How long did it take you to get a visa?

my parents are sorting all the stuff so I dont really know yet as I have been busy working while they've been dealing with it all.

[Ismail Simjee]

:salams

Inshallah my family and I will be going for Umrah this summer :)

We have our flight booked and are looking for accommodation there - we have someone who has offered us stay in these hotels-

Al-Rawasi 4* hotel in Makkah 120m from Haram B&B
Safir 4* hotel in Madinah 90m B&B

Has anyone stayed at/heard of these hotels who can give us a bit of advice as to what they're like and distance to Haram? Or if anyone knows of a travel agent to go with to book for accommodation - we want something near but reasonably priced.

Assalamo Alaikum WR WB.

I just returned back from Saudi Arabia from one of my umpteen business trip for Umra and Haj. Saw your question and here is the reply:

Al Rawasi Group has two hotels in Makkah both named Al Rawasi.
One is a registered and genuine 4 star hotel and is in Gaza area. The Haram courtyard, from the "Masai" area where you do your Sai, extends all the way to the main road where, on the right front is the old library built on the place where our Nabi (pbuh) was born and if you look to your left across, there is this cream coloured Al Rawasi Hotel built at the junction of the Gaza Road -one way direction incoming and returning traffic.
So, practically, from Haram boundary it is 50 meters or less but from Sai area it is about 120 meters.

The second Al Rawasi is a glorified 3 star hotel in Al Misfila area behind the Makkah Hilton Hotel.

Saha Safir is a "Glorified" 4 star hotel and I would not put it past 3 star. It is located in just one block building which houses Bahuddin Hotel on one side nearer to Masjid Nabavi and next to Dalla Taiyaba Hotel and on the back side is Saha Safir. From Saha Safir you cannot view the Haram for obvious reason as Bahauddin hotel is blocking the view.
It depends on crowd movement and the pace of your walk as to how long it takes to get to the Masjid. For ladies it is most convinient as the first entry point to the masjid is the actual Bab-an-Nisa.

You ask for good travel agent/s. They are few and far in between. I am one but am reluctant to offer a package as I am not confident that your expected service will be 100% guaranteed.

You can try: 1. Rainbow Travels 2. Al Hidaya 3. Dome Travel
4. Gifto Travel. 5. Khadim ul Hujjaj.
I trust this helps.

Your question on where to buy Jilbabs and Abayaas etc. Night time is the best time. Masjid e Nabavi closes down after Eisha. So why not finish your shopping in Madina? Go inside the Taiyaba Suite buildings - two of them facing Masjid-e-Nabavi and there are three floors plus basement full of shops. You buy what you can afford and bargain / haggle the price.

Have a good trip.

Ismail Simjee

[Loobna]

Salaam,

Does anyone know about the cars the take you from the airport to the hotels? Our travel agent has booked us a GMC vehicle, suitable for 8 adults. We are a family of seven, six adults, one child (the eighth person will be the driver) and we will have luggage with us - about five suitcases, plus our hand luggage. Do you think we will all be able to fit ok in this car? (we have to travel from Makkah to Madinah and back, as well as to and from the airport, in the car so we need to be able to sit comfortably and not squashed up) or should we ask for a bigger car?

(quick replies pls - we have to tell the travel agent tmrw!)

[TinyTerror]

I'm going next week inshAllah.

Hope to climb Jable Noor and Jable Thawr in one day INSHALLAH! It was a charity event to raise money for Ebrahim College (http://www.justgiving.com/yusufrab) but my husband had to miss it due to family emergency so now he taking me instead!!! :hidban:

Allah Ta'ala is the best of planners :p I've been DYING to go!

[Al-Irhaab]

I'm going next week inshAllah.

Hope to climb Jable Noor and Jable Thawr in one day INSHALLAH! It was a charity event to raise money for Ebrahim College (http://www.justgiving.com/yusufrab) but my husband had to miss it due to family emergency so now he taking me instead!!! :hidban:

Allah Ta'ala is the best of planners :p I've been DYING to go!

you wont get up one mountain never mind two in one day *outta*

especially in the heat...

[Loobna]

Salaam,

Does anyone know about the cars the take you from the airport to the hotels? Our travel agent has booked us a GMC vehicle, suitable for 8 adults. We are a family of seven, six adults, one child (the eighth person will be the driver) and we will have luggage with us - about five suitcases, plus our hand luggage. Do you think we will all be able to fit ok in this car? (we have to travel from Makkah to Madinah and back, as well as to and from the airport, in the car so we need to be able to sit comfortably and not squashed up) or should we ask for a bigger car?

(quick replies pls - we have to tell the travel agent tmrw!)

anyone know?

[RaNdOm]

anyone know?

:salams

we got 7 ppl in our fam and alhamdulillah we were orite... erm i dno what a gmc vehicle is tho, but if its one of them normal car/van things that everyones in then inshaAllah it shud be k... :up: well i think i was too zombified to remba if it wasnt :o lol

[wleedhaq]

Gmc Is Large American Jeep

[asifm]

you wont get up one mountain never mind two in one day *outta*

especially in the heat...

Salam, im gona climb both mountains insha'Allah in a weeks time :-) I did so when i went last time...it was tough in the heat but managed it, alhamdulillah...

[thetruth]

edited

[thetruth]

.


anyone know?

asalam alikam wrt brk,

Not sure if this information is of any use to you now..? but here goes..

If I remember correctly they are (1994) GMC Suburban:

http://img.shopping.com/cctool/PrdImg/images/pr/177X150/00/01/4a/5f/c7/21651399.JPG

Its probably the BEST transport you could get in Makkah / Madina for your purpose - plenty of leg room & comfortable
.

I wouldn’t worry about luggage space TBH - though you shouldn’t need to take so much - the boot is quite big and if that is not enough, they will use the roof which they normally pack quite well!

The drivers will probably expect 'fisibillah' and if its not enough they will let you know !

It is probably not as busy their this time of the year but if you do use the buses, PLZ be careful! People tend to rush towards the first bus that stops, knocking anyone on their way to ensure they get a seat.

You should be ok inshaAllah.

If you need any further info. about anything send me a PM for a speedy response inshaAllah.

w.s

[Ismail Simjee]

Sister, who have you booked with?

A GMC can accommodate 7 passengers but not much luggage unless it has a roof rack.

You need a Toyota Hi-Ace and it cost less than a GMC.

So get your agent to change the cars.

Ismail Simjee
Al Barakah Haj

[Loobna]

Sister, who have you booked with?

A GMC can accommodate 7 passengers but not much luggage unless it has a roof rack.

You need a Toyota Hi-Ace and it cost less than a GMC.

So get your agent to change the cars.

Ismail Simjee
Al Barakah Haj

Ok Jazakallah

[MrG]

How long did it take you to get a visa?

There seems to be a problem with visas this year. From what Ive heard agents can only send off the passports etc on a Mon and/or* Tues and receive it Thurs and/or* Friday , and it seems they don't know which passports will come back....sort of random.

I cant remember if that was 'and' or 'or'?

[Loobna]

There seems to be a problem with visas this year. From what Ive heard agents can only send off the passports etc on a Mon and/or* Tues and receive it Thurs and/or* Friday , and it seems they don't know which passports will come back....sort of random.

I cant remember if that was 'and' or 'or'?

I think its or :) - Thats what our travel agent told us. Alhamdullilah he also said we have our visas though he did mention problems this year too.
He also had to change our hotel in Madinah so it'll be Dallah Taiba hotel (which from the website looks very nice!) in Madinah, not Safir. Just over two weeks left till we go :inlove:

[Ismail Simjee]

hii guys.. nabil hajj and umrah are doing decent umrah packages, my uncle and cusins have booked with for this year..wish them luck lol
here:
www.nabil-hajjandumrah.co.uk
:up:

Brother Zaheer is over enthusiastic in pushing for nabil. I just wonder why?

[Loobna]

:o bit of a silly question but I dont know where else to ask...you know all the recent rules about taking liquids onto the aircraft in your hand luggage? Well do you think it'd be ok to take a wudu mate? (this is a wudu mate (http://www.wudumate.co.uk/index.htm))
On here (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=what+hand+luggage+allowed+on+flights+from+the+uk&spell=1) they say 'Containers larger than 100ml such as drinks bottles (including water), even though it might only contain 100ml, are NOT permitted.'

[myself]

Try and make wudu before you get on the plane...From Heathrow it,s around 6-6.5hours flight, from Manchester, it's roughy the same.

You can always make wudu in your hotel then go off to make your Umrah. :)

[Loobna]

:salams:

Just wanted to say Jazakallah for all the advice from everyone and let you know that we go tmrw for Umrah (well today actually!) I will remember you all in my Dua's :)

:wswrwb:

[me.sawda]

:o bit of a silly question but I dont know where else to ask...you know all the recent rules about taking liquids onto the aircraft in your hand luggage? Well do you think it'd be ok to take a wudu mate? (this is a wudu mate (http://www.wudumate.co.uk/index.htm))
On here (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=what+hand+luggage+allowed+on+flights+from+the+uk&spell=1) they say 'Containers larger than 100ml such as drinks bottles (including water), even though it might only contain 100ml, are NOT permitted.'

I like this wodu mate

[Reptile]

can you take electronic items on the plane? if your on yemen airlines

[Abdulah]

can you take electronic items on the plane? if your on yemen airlines

Yes as long as you turn it off while you are departing and landing.

[observer101]

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