Violet Al Azizia Hotel

The hotel stands out as a favored destination for pilgrims, distinguished by its spacious rooms and a crucial shuttle service that facilitates access to the Haram. This combination makes it a highly practical choice for individuals and groups embarking on a spiritual journey. Beyond its primary function, the hotel caters exceptionally well to families and larger groups, offering appealing amenities such as a dedicated kids' pool and a playground, ensuring a comfortable and engaging stay for all ages. Guests consistently commend the hotel's unwavering commitment to cleanliness and the generally helpful and polite demeanor of its staff. For budget-conscious travelers, the hotel presents a compelling value proposition, particularly during peak seasons, without compromising on essential comforts. To optimize your experience, it is highly recommended to verify the shuttle schedule upon arrival, as its frequency can vary, and to consider utilizing taxis for more flexible and direct transportation to the Haram, especially during congested prayer times.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of facilities designed to enhance guest comfort and convenience. Many guests appreciated the presence of a swimming pool, particularly for children, though some noted concerns about high chlorine levels and specific hours for women's access, sometimes with an additional fee. A gym is available, but some reviews indicated it was closed during their stay. While Wi-Fi is provided, several guests reported it was poor and intermittent in their rooms. The elevators are generally described as modern and quick, though some experienced long wait times due to high traffic. Basic in-room amenities like a kettle and iron were sometimes missing upon arrival, requiring guests to request them. Additionally, the hotel features a cafe and nearby shops, providing easy access to essentials. Some guests also noted the presence of message chairs, though these were often in high demand.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally found the rooms to be clean and well-maintained, though some noted inconsistencies in daily cleaning services, occasionally requiring multiple requests. The room size received mixed feedback; while many praised the spacious nature of the rooms, especially suites suitable for larger groups, others found their assigned rooms to be quite small, with some king-bedded rooms being smaller than double-bedded ones. The beds were largely described as comfortable, contributing to a restful stay, though a few guests found the pillows uncomfortable. Common in-room issues included weak water pressure in showers, a loud air conditioner, and non-functional telephones. Some rooms had limited natural light due to small windows or views blocked by billboards, while others offered no view at all. Noise levels were generally acceptable, with rooms being quiet for sleeping, though some corridor noise was reported.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast at the hotel is a significant highlight for many guests, consistently praised for its wide variety and quality of food, with some describing it as excellent or amazing. The buffet selection is extensive, catering to diverse tastes. However, some guests noted that the breakfast area could become very crowded, especially during peak times, leading to long queues. A few reviews mentioned specific issues with food items, such as the smell of liver, or slow service from chefs at live stations. While the hotel has a cafe, some guests found it to be less than expected. For other dining options, guests appreciated the proximity to various fast food, shawarma, and Turkish restaurants nearby, though Asian food choices were limited. Room service received mixed feedback, with some finding it quick and efficient, while others reported it was slow or even ignored requests for cleaning.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is a frequent topic of discussion, generally described as being somewhat far from Haram, requiring transportation rather than walking. Most guests relied on the hotel's shuttle service to the Haram, which is available 24/7 and free. While many found the shuttle convenient and efficient, a significant number of reviews highlighted its unreliability, infrequent schedule, and tendency to be full, especially during prayer times. The shuttle often drops guests a considerable distance from the Haram, sometimes requiring a transfer to another bus. As an alternative, taxis are readily available and often preferred for their flexibility and directness, though fares can vary. Parking is a notable concern, described as limited and challenging, particularly for larger vehicles, with some guests experiencing difficulties securing a spot and even discriminatory behavior from parking staff. The hotel is also conveniently located near a large mosque and various shops.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff generally received positive feedback for their politeness, friendliness, and helpfulness. Many guests highlighted the cooperative reception and housekeeping teams, contributing to a pleasant stay. The check-in and check-out processes were often described as quick and smooth, with the hotel accommodating late check-out requests when possible. However, there were recurring comments about the responsiveness to requests, with some guests needing to call multiple times for room cleaning, water, or tissues, and reporting slow or ignored service. A significant concern raised by international guests was a language barrier with some male reception staff, making communication challenging. Furthermore, some guests reported instances of discriminatory behavior from certain staff members, particularly regarding parking management and perceived differences in treatment based on nationality.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of certain operational aspects and unique features of the hotel. Some experienced issues with room readiness upon arrival, even after the designated check-in time. There were also isolated incidents of water being cut from bathrooms for extended periods without clear explanations. The hotel offers a kids' area and a playground, which are popular with families, though the kids' area has specific opening hours, typically from noon. While the hotel provides various amenities, guests noted the absence of American outlets in rooms. The hotel's structure features an open pavilion design and modern elevators, contributing to its visual appeal. It's important to clarify meal inclusions at booking, as some guests found discrepancies between what was advertised (e.g., dinner) and what was provided (e.g., Suhoor breakfast).