Osturat Emaar Hotel

I stayed at Osturat Hotel during Hajj, and while the staff were helpful and the hotel was generally well managed considering how busy it was, there were a few challenges. The hotel was completely full during my stay, which meant the lifts were often very slow and crowded, especially around prayer times. The food provided seemed to cater mainly to local tastes and wasn't particularly suited to Western guests. While there was plenty available, I personally struggled to find options that matched my preferences. The prayer room was located in the basement, although there are mosques nearby for those who prefer to pray outside the hotel. The hotel is approximately a 45-minute walk from Masjid al-Haram, so location is something to consider. Coaches were available but could be difficult to find at times. One frustrating issue was the room key card, which seemed to stop working regularly and often needed reactivating at reception. On the positive side, taxis were always readily available outside the hotel, making it easy to get around when needed. Overall, the hotel provided a decent stay during a very busy period, but there are a few areas that could be improved to make the experience more comfortable for international guests.