Unbelievable Medina Luxury: New Madina Hotel IHG Experience!
Unbelievable Medina Luxury? More Like a Whirlwind in a Desert Rose! (New Madina Hotel IHG Review)
Okay, buckle up, because I’m about to spill the frankincense and myrrh on my recent stay at the New Madina Hotel, part of the IHG family. "Unbelievable Luxury"? They claim it. Did I find it? Well, let's just say it was an experience. And experiences, my friends, are rarely perfect.
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(Accessibility - Let's Start with the Basics, Shall We?)
Right off the bat, a huge thumbs up for accessibility. They've put some serious thought into this. Wheelchair accessible throughout? Yep. Wide doorways, ramps where needed, and elevators that actually work (unlike some places I've been!). The facilities for disabled guests weren’t just an afterthought. And I saw it with my own eyes, some of the best accessibility I've seen in a long time. This is HUGE in a city like Medina, where navigating can be tricky. Plus, the elevator was a godsend, especially after a long day of… well, everything in Medina.
(Cleanliness and Safety – COVID-19 Edition!)
Okay, let's be real: post-pandemic travel has a whole new set of anxieties. The New Madina Hotel, I have to hand it to them, had this area nailed. It felt very safe. They went above and beyond with Anti-viral cleaning products and constant Daily disinfection in common areas. I felt confident walking around. Professional-grade sanitizing services were clearly at work, and they had Hand sanitizer everywhere, even in the tiny elevators. The staff, bless their hearts, were clearly trained in safety protocols, which is a massive relief. They took it very seriously, and seeing the Hygiene certification gave me peace of mind. Okay, I'm a paranoid traveler, but I felt safe!
(Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - A Culinary Rollercoaster!)
Alright, the food situation…this is where things got interesting. The Breakfast [buffet] was a mixed bag. On the one hand, there was a sprawling selection of Breakfast, including Asian breakfast, and the Western breakfast offerings were there. The coffee/tea in restaurant was readily available (thank goodness!). On the other hand, the quality…varied wildly. Sometimes, the pastries tasted like they’d been through a sandstorm. Other times, I could've sworn I was eating a Michelin-starred croissant! I'd say it's a hit-or-miss situation.
One morning, I had to get to breakfast. I slept in and didn’t want to miss it. The buffet was slammed, and I had to get a seat! And the chaos? You know the feeling when you can’t handle people. And even though the food was good, it's tough to enjoy it.
I did, however, have a moment at the Poolside bar. They had this watermelon juice that was basically sunshine in a glass. Seriously. Forget the world, just that juice, a comfy chair…bliss. The Poolside bar, that's a win! I even had a quick Snack bar bite that tasted good.
The Restaurants here (there were several) had a mixed bag. The A la carte in restaurant offered some solid options, but I never found the Vegetarian restaurant (my friend really wanted it) - if it even existed! The International cuisine in restaurant was their strong suit!
(Ways to Relax & What to Do - So Much (and So Little) Time!)
Okay, let’s talk relaxation. The spa was…an experience. The Sauna was great, but the Steamroom was a little too steamy at times. I like to sweat, but I was about to become a prune! The Spa/sauna combo was pretty solid.
And the Pool with a view was exactly what it sounds like! It was wonderful to just chill and stare at the city. The Swimming pool [outdoor] was amazing!
I didn't get to try the Body scrub or the Body wrap, but I can imagine that would have been great.
Fitness Center, yep, it was there. I confess I glanced at it and promptly retreated to the poolside bar. Gym/fitness for another day I swear.
(Rooms - The Comfort Zone, or Not?)
The rooms themselves? Generally, pretty good! The Air conditioning was a lifesaver. (Hello, desert heat!) The Free Wi-Fi worked beautifully, although I did briefly try out the Internet access – LAN - still waiting for it. My room had a great View (high floor), and the Blackout curtains came in handy for sleep-ins. They had some great Toiletries so I was able to refresh from that.
Some of the rooms' little quirks were worth mentioning. The additional toilet was a blessing, trust me! The interconnecting rooms were offered as well.
One day, the Slippers were missing. Slippers. The hotel just feels different when there's no slippers.
(Services and Conveniences - The Little Things…)
They had all the basics: Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Dry cleaning. The Concierge was helpful. I did see a Shop and got my mother a souvenir. The Cash withdrawal was good to know since I forgot to take out cash.
But here’s a little niggle: the Room service [24-hour] was not as speedy as I’d hoped on a particular night when I needed a midnight snack (jet lag is a cruel mistress).
(The "For the Kids" Factor)
I didn’t travel with kids, but I saw the Kids facilities and the Babysitting service. They clearly catered to families. They were family-friendly.
(Getting Around - Taxis and Taxis!)
They do offer a Car park [free of charge], which seems like a plus. I didn't have my own car: The Airport transfer service they arranged was smooth and fast.
(The Verdict - Unbelievable Luxury? Maybe Not, But Definitely Worth It!)
Would I recommend the New Madina Hotel? Yes, absolutely. Did it live up to the "Unbelievable Luxury" hype? Not entirely. But the accessibility, the safety measures, and the generally pleasant atmosphere made it a great choice. The food was a bit hit-or-miss, and the service not always perfect, but the good outweighed the not-so-good. The real highlight was the safety and how they treated visitors! I mean, the thing is a hotel! And it did a good job. Plus, that watermelon juice… I'm already dreaming of a return trip.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. (Great, but not flawless.)
P.S. Be careful where you sit in the restaurant. I almost spilled coffee on my head.
Bali's Casa Artista: The Hotel Artists Secretly Crave
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your perfectly curated brochure itinerary. This is my actual, slightly-unhinged, possibly-covered-in-sand-and-blessings take on a trip to the New Madina Hotel by IHG in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Consider this less of a schedule and more of a… vibe.
Arrival - Praise Allah it's over! (…and, maybe, a prayer for the air conditioning to work)
Day 1: The Descent (and the quest for a decent coffee)
- 10:00 AM: Landed in Medina. The air conditioning on the plane felt like a tease. Stepping out felt like walking into a warm hug… from Satan. But hey, I'm here! Alhamdulillah!
- 10:30 AM: Customs. Surprisingly smooth, thank you very much. Gave my passport a silent, proud pat.
- 11:00 AM: Pre-booked airport transfer (thank GOD). The driver, bless his heart, had the radio BLASTING some Arabic pop music. Immediately attempted (and mostly failed) to vibe.
- 11:30 AM: Arrived at New Madina Hotel. The lobby is… grand. Like, really grand. Marble everywhere. I might need sunglasses.
- 12:00 PM: Check-in. Trying to decipher the polite Arabic. "Shukran." "Afwan"… pretty sure I'm nailing it.
- 12:30 PM: Room. Okay, needs a little something. The view? Meh. The bed? Could probably sleep an army. First order of business: Locate the coffee machine. Desperate need, people. Real.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Coffee achieved. First, a little nap to regroup. Then, the hotel restaurant. Chicken biryani. It was… biryani. It filled a hole.
- 3:30 PM: Wandering the hotel. Found the prayer room. Wow. Serene. Peaceful. Definitely not my usual chaotic self. Maybe I'll become a more spiritual person by the end of the trip. (Likelihood: 50/50, depending on the Wi-Fi)
- 4:00 PM: Exploring outside the hotel. This is when REAL life begins. It's… different. People are everywhere. The sounds, the smells… it’s a sensory overload in the BEST way.
Day 2: The Prophet's Mosque (and how I nearly lost my shoes)
- 7:00 AM: Woken by the most beautiful call to prayer. Goosebumps. Seriously. Then, the crushing realization I have to get out of bed.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. The spread rivals the buffet at a royal wedding. I will try EVERYTHING (and probably regret it later).
- 9:00 AM: The Prophet’s Mosque. Okay. Deep breaths. This is… overwhelming. So beautiful, so historic, so… crowded. The sheer scale of it. The energy. I feel like a tiny ant in a vast, holy land.
- 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Trying to find a good place to pray. The quest for a spot is an Olympic sport. Navigating the throngs of people is like river-rafting, but with more praying and less water. My prayers are that I don’t accidentally step on someone; that’s a sin I don't need.
- 12:00 PM: Lost my shoes. Or rather, they disappeared. Apparently, you take them off when entering certain areas. Cue frantic searching. Found them, thankfully. (Seriously, could’ve had a heart attack there.)
- 12:30 PM: Lunch somewhere local. It was better than the hotel cuisine. I'm eating a lot of bread with every meal. So many carbs. But it's so good.
- 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: More exploring. Souks! (markets) A cacophony of sights, sounds, and smells. Spices, dates, perfumes… I bought everything! I may or may not have haggled for a rug with the grace of a newborn giraffe, but I felt like I won.
5:30 PM: Return to the hotel. Need a nap. Seriously.
- 7:00PM: Dinner at the hotel. Maybe it's the exhaustion, or maybe these chefs are wizards, but this time, the food's actually pretty good. Praise be!
Day 3: Doubling Down on the Mosque (and my newfound appreciation for patience)
- 6:00 AM: Another early wake-up call. This time, it's not just the beauty, it's the routine. Okay, I'm getting used to it, sort of.
- 7:00 AM: At the Mosque again. This time, determined to navigate the crowds with more zen-like calm (and less shoe-related panic). I also make an effort to learn how to pronounce a few supplications. I am a bit awkward. But I'm trying.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Spent more time in the Mosque. Found a slightly less crowded spot. Prayed. Reflected. Felt a strange mix of humility and peace. This place… it gets to you.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. This time, some local shawarma. Still eating a lot of bread.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Visited other historical sites. The area around the Prophet's Mosque is like a living history book. It’s a lot to process.
- 4:30 PM: Back at the hotel. Time to regroup. The air-conditioning is finally starting to feel… bearable.
- 7:00 PM: One last dinner at the hotel restaurant. I'm already starting to miss the chaos of the souks, yet I'm tired of all the noise.
Day 4: Goodbye, Medina! (and a promise to return)
- 7:00 AM: Final breakfast. Trying to savor every bite. The coffee, the dates… everything.
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Panic-buying. Did I get enough of anything? Probably not.
- 10:00 AM: Check out.
- 10:30 AM: Airport.
- 11:00 AM: Plane.
- 11:30 AM: Take-off.
- 12:00 AM: I’m thinking about the chaos, the kindness, the history. The memories. I’ll be back, Medina. Absolutely.
Post-Trip Ramblings:
- I learned a lot about myself. I found my patience. I found a tiny bit of peace. I found a new appreciation for prayer.
- The food was… an adventure. I ate things I never thought I would. And loved some of them.
- The people were incredibly gracious and welcoming. Even when I butchered the Arabic phrases.
- The New Madina Hotel? Comfortable, convenient. But the real star of this trip? Medina itself. It’s a place that gets under your skin, in the best possible way. It challenged me. It humbled me. And it left me wanting more.
- Will I return? Inshallah.
- And I'll bring better shoes.
Is this hotel *actually* luxurious? Like, "throw diamonds at the bedazzled doorman" luxurious?
What's the deal with the location? Is it convenient?
The food! Is it good? And what kind of options are there?
Tell me about the rooms. What are the key things to know?
Is the staff friendly and helpful?
What about the spa and other amenities? Were they any good?
Would you stay here again? The final verdict?
