Is 5 Star Umrah Worth It? 3, 4 and 5 Star Compared

Quick answer: A 5 star Umrah is worth it mainly for one reason: it puts you right next to the Haram, which saves time and energy five times a day. That matters most for elderly parents, people with limited mobility, short trips and Ramadan. If you are fit, travelling on a budget, or happy with a short walk, a good 4 star or 3 star package gives you the same Umrah for far less.

What do you actually get with a 5 star Umrah?

The rites of Umrah are identical whatever hotel you stay in. What changes is everything around them: how far you walk, how quickly you can get back to rest, the quality of your room and food, and how comfortable the trip feels for older or less mobile family members.

The 5 star hotels in our packages include Swissotel Makkah, the Makkah Clock Royal Tower (Fairmont) and Raffles Makkah Palace in Makkah, and Anwar Al Madinah, The Oberoi Madinah and Dar Al Taqwa in Madinah. In Makkah, these sit within the Abraj Al Bait complex beside the Haram, so you are typically only a few minutes from the mosque's gates and plaza. You can see them all on our 5 star Umrah hotels page.

How do 3, 4 and 5 star Umrah hotels compare?

Here is an honest overview based on the hotels in our packages. Walking times are typical rather than exact, and depend on the gate you use and the crowds.

	3 star	4 star	5 star
Walk to the Haram	Often 10–20 minutes, some with a shuttle	Several are within a few minutes' walk, some use a shuttle	Usually just a few minutes
Room comfort	Clean and simple, smaller rooms	Good standard, more space	Spacious, high quality, quieter
Breakfast	Varies, sometimes basic or not included	Usually included, decent buffet	Usually a wide buffet
Haram view	Rare	Occasional, at extra cost	Available at extra cost
7 nights from	£490	£690	£1,230
14 nights from	12 nights from £720	£1,050	£1,850

All prices are from prices per person, depend on your dates and room sharing, and are confirmed in your quote. Ramadan and school holidays cost more.

Is walking time really the biggest difference?

For most pilgrims, yes. Over a week in Makkah you may walk to and from the Haram dozens of times. A 3 minute walk versus a 15 minute walk adds up to many hours, often in heat and crowds.

Being close also changes how you worship. You can pray Fajr in the Haram, return for breakfast and a nap, then go back for Dhuhr without feeling drained. Pilgrims further away often stay in the mosque from one prayer to the next to avoid the walk, which is rewarding but tiring.

That said, not every 4 star hotel is far away. Hotels such as Elaf Ajyad and Hilton Suites Jabal Omar are a short walk from the Haram, while some 4 star hotels further out rely on a shuttle. Always check the exact location. Our page on the Hilton Suites Jabal Omar is a good example of a 4 star option with a short walk.

Are the lifts busy in big 5 star hotels?

This is the part people rarely mention. The large towers next to the Haram hold thousands of guests, and just before and after each prayer everyone wants the lifts at once. Long waits at peak times are common, especially on higher floors and in Ramadan.

Some practical tips:

• Leave for the prayer earlier than you think you need to.
• After the prayer, sit for a few minutes of dhikr and let the first rush pass.
• If you are travelling with elderly parents, ask for a lower floor where possible.
• Remember that once the Haram is full, the prayer rows often extend into the plaza and hotel areas nearby, so being close still helps.

Even with lift queues, a 5 star hotel next to the Haram is usually quicker overall than walking from further away. It is just not as instant as the brochures suggest.

Is a Haram view room worth paying for?

A room overlooking the Ka'bah or the Haram is an extraordinary experience, and some families save for years for it. However, view rooms are not standard in our packages and carry a significant supplement, and availability is limited, especially in Ramadan.

If your budget is fixed, most pilgrims get more value from spending the money on extra nights or a better location than on a view. If a view room is a dream for you or a parent, ask us and we will quote it separately.

Who should pay for 5 star Umrah?

A 5 star Umrah makes the most sense if you are:

• Travelling with elderly parents or anyone who uses a wheelchair or tires quickly. Being steps away from the Haram lets them pray in congregation far more often. See our Umrah packages for elderly pilgrims for more on this.
• On a short trip. On a 7 night package, every hour counts, and saved walking time means more worship and more rest.
• Going in Ramadan, especially the last ten nights, when crowds are at their peak and the walk back from far hotels can take a long time.
• Travelling with young children who need to nap, eat and use the toilet at short notice.

Our 7 nights 5 star Umrah package starts from £1,230 per person, and longer stays are available at 10 and 14 nights.

Who should not pay for 5 star Umrah?

Many pilgrims are better off putting the money elsewhere. A 3 or 4 star package is often the smarter choice if you are:

• Young and fit, and happy to walk 10 to 20 minutes.
• Staying longer. For the price difference you could book more nights in a 4 star hotel than a shorter 5 star stay.
• Planning to spend most of your time in the Haram anyway, using the hotel mainly to sleep.
• Travelling in a quieter month, when crowds and lift queues are lighter.

There is no extra reward in staying in an expensive hotel, and no less reward in a modest one. Our 3 star Umrah packages start from £490 per person for 7 nights.

If you are weighing up the budget as a whole, our guide to how much Umrah costs from the UK breaks down where the money goes.

Can you mix 5 star in Makkah with 4 star in Madinah?

Yes, and this is one of the best-value ways to travel. In Madinah, many 4 star hotels sit close to Masjid an-Nabawi, so the gap between 4 and 5 star is smaller there than in Makkah. Hotels such as Pullman Zamzam, Al Haram Hotel and Dar Al Iman are all well placed.

Some common combinations we arrange:

• 5 star Makkah + 4 star Madinah: comfort where you need it most, with savings in Madinah.
• 4 star Makkah + 5 star Madinah: suits pilgrims who want a special, restful stay near the Prophet's Mosque ﷺ and are happy with a short walk in Makkah.
• 5 star for Ramadan's last ten nights only: some families move hotels for the busiest part of the month.

The 10 nights 4 star Umrah package from £850 per person is a good base to upgrade from, and we can price a mixed option for you.

If you are torn between star ratings, tell us who is travelling, your dates and your budget through our package finder, and we will suggest the combination that gives you the most for your money.

Related guides: Makkah Clock Tower Hotels: Are They Worth It? · Umrah Plus Trips: Adding Dubai, Turkey or Al-Aqsa · Difference Between Hajj and Umrah: A Clear Guide

Frequently asked questions

Is a 5 star Umrah more rewarding?

No. The reward of Umrah depends on your sincerity and how you perform it, not on your hotel. A 5 star hotel simply makes the trip easier, especially for those who find walking difficult.

How much more does 5 star Umrah cost than 4 star?

Based on our from prices, 7 nights is £1,230 at 5 star compared with £690 at 4 star per person. The exact difference depends on dates, hotels and room sharing.

Which 5 star hotels are closest to the Haram in Makkah?

Hotels in the Abraj Al Bait complex, such as Swissotel Makkah, Raffles Makkah Palace and the Makkah Clock Royal Tower (Fairmont), are right next to the Haram's southern plaza.

Is breakfast included in Umrah hotel packages?

It is usually included at 4 and 5 star hotels, while some 3 star hotels offer a basic breakfast or room only. We confirm the board basis in your quote.

Is 4 star good enough for Umrah?

For most pilgrims, yes. A well-located 4 star hotel offers comfort and a short walk at a much lower price, as long as you check its exact distance from the Haram.