I made an overnight trip out to Medina on Saturday/Sunday. It was pretty productive in setting up some medical training for the Saudis out there.

I'm sure Medina is a pretty nice town...if you're Muslim. As an "infidel" though, it's pretty much a drag. This was my second trip, and won't be my last...

When you're in Medina, there's only one hotel that non-Muslims can stay in. It will remain nameless here, because I'm not going to be very complimentary in my assessment of it. Plus, I'll have to go back there...no sense in getting blacklisted.
(from the hotel's website...)

Here's what the hotel chain's website says about it...The magnificent xxxxxxx Medina is tastefully designed with modern sophistication and furnished in varying shades of Italian Marble. The spacious yet intimate lobby ushers you into perfect blend of contemporary elegance with a touch of traditional hospitality. Its distinctive style continues in every one of the 189 immaculately appointed rooms and executive and royal suites.

The only first class hotel outside the holy Haram area, xxxxxxx Medina caters for both Muslims and other religious groups. Its location is only a minute away from the Fahad Quran Printing Press, where millions of holy Quran are printed and distributed throughout the world.

As the above description indicates, when you walk up to the place, the first impression is one of "Ooooh! Ahhh! Luxury!" It is, after all, a well known chain of international hotels. Then, as you go into the lobby, and notice the marble and gardens and fountains, you say, "Mmmmm...just gorgeous. I'm not sure I make enough money to stay here."

The reception clerk was a professional, polite fellow from somewhere other thatn KSA (not sure where). He was affable, and highly capable, and there were even bellboys with gold jackets, and those little hats with no brim. We were pleased to be told that meals were included in the price of the room. Being Ramadan, we were sure that the hotel restaurant would have a great spread. We were not dissapointed (until the next day, when they tacked on 65 SAR to our bill...the guys that checked us out were not the same as checked us in).

After check-in, we went on to the rooms, and settled in. Walking through the lobby, one notices again the beautiful garden like setting...with dust covered, plastic plants. As you step into the elevator, the mirrored wall reflects the image of the ill fitting carpet on the floor...strange things to find in a hotel that costs over $150 per night.

The room I stayed in was an exact copy of the one I stayed in a couple of months ago, just a different side of the hotel. The furniture was nearly antique (or at least antique like...I can't really tell), and the decor looked like it had never been changed since the 60s or so when the hotel was built. Note the lovely picture of dead trees...

Here is my room...View image

And here is what the website shows...same type room...View image

A bit of difference, eh? Now, the room was acceptable, mind you, but only just. It looks ok from the first glance, but as you look around a bit closer, you start seeing stuff that just wouldn't pass muster in most other 5 star hotels.

Like this...the window curtain in the bathroom.
View image

And this...the box spring (also, note no bedspread)
View image

And this...the shower curtain track in the ceiling...
View image

Here is the modern air conditioning controls (it did work fine, though, for its vintage-ness...View image

Staying in this particular hotel is a necessity when we go out there, since it's the only one for non-Muslims. It just seems like there hasn't been any attention paid to it to keep it modern.

Aside from the shabby rooms, the plastic plants, and ratty carpet in the elevators, the food was good. They had a great buffet for 65 SAR, part of the breaking of the Ramadan fast (with all of the ghawa we could drink...the Arabic coffee that I just love), and they gave us room service after the sun came up. This was sort of surprising, but a nice touch to take care of the infidels.

If you come to this hotel, just be forewarned...lower your expectations, and bring your copy of War and Peace, since there are only a couple of programs on the TV that are in English (one being CNN which just makes me mad now...).

Check out was interesting, too...I handed them my key, and credit card, and they ran it. I signed it, and then noticed about 10 min later, just before we left, that they only charged me for the free meal the night before. I had to go back in and pay again for the room...As mentioned earlier, it wasn't the same guy that checked us in.

I don't mention all this to complain, it's just such a strange thing to see such neglect in what otherwise could be a first class place. And no, I didn't ask to change rooms...So far, 100% of the times I've stayed there are like that. Next time, I might ask for a different one...