I stayed at this hotel, overall my experience was good but it can get really busy year around.

I stayed in Grand Zam Zam suites in Zam Zam Towers - Haram View (Room 1220) during this year's Hajj (10/11/2011 to 17/11/2011). Please note within Zam Zam Towers Hotel there are various hotel chains operating i.e Movenpick, Raffles etc).

A great hotel, clean, etc. But it does have its downfall. Often people are attracted by the name and the size of this hotel and the shining light at top, rather that going upon convenience and comfort. I found the lighting in the room was very poor (Too dark). Lamp shades dominate etc. The rooms were cleaned daily, but just a quick swap of bed sheets, towels, and a basic wipe down. Nothing major. The lifts were a nightmare to get down. Had to wait 5 minutes + for a lift to arrive, often to find it was completely full. To get inside Haram from this Hotel, strongly recommended both males and females need to leave 15 minutes in advance prior to each salah. I found the eating complex on the lower floors to be good, but they all sell the same thing (repetative chicken broast, rice etc), you soon get bored. Travel down to Misfallah area and you will get some good food at the local places within a good price. I would rate this on a serious note 4* only. Definately, not a 5 *. I would stay again, but at every aspect will try to avoid for the near future.

Just returned from Hajj with my wife (Alhamdulillah). We stayed for 14 nights at this hotel and could not fault one single thing for the entire duration of my stay. The room was just as described perfect in size and other ways for the two of us. Housekeeping was more than prompt, laundry service very efficient and fast (yes you need it especially during Hajj). Had breakfast one morning by ordering room service..the food was as it should be..nothing spectacular but more than ok. A great part of this hotel was you could hear azaan in your room, about 15 mins before there is a microphone test done at haram which is just the perfect time to prepare for Salaat. Huge lifts and plenty as well, so do not worry of you are running a bit late..u'll always inshallah manage to pray with Jamaat even if you start after the Salaat has started!!

All in all the perfect place to stay in Mecca and i know it will be my permanent hotel in Mecca for the time being!

Asaalamu Alykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu, Alhamdu lillah i went for HAJJ in 2009 with my mother and it was a splendid & memorable trip for me and my mother as we were used to spend most of our time in Haram Sharif instead of hotel. (By the way, my hotel was located at (Shr-Ibrahim Khalil). However, we never bother bad quality service, hated attitude of saudees as our atmost priority was to perform HAJJ (as it is required) instead of complaining & fighting with locals & hotel staff. i mean come on...... i was shocked while reading your comment that "room service was bad, towels were not available, shopping mall was good counter staff was not bi-lingual". lab lab lab...... come on! HAJJ requires our sincere dedication & motivation as it is a very hard task to perform...... i cannot dare to say that try to perform it as Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W) performed it as we are very week .... but try to do it ..... just try it atlleast...... forget luxury, accomodations, food, hunger..... Just pray to ALLAH with the sincerity and devotion......... sorry it was harsh & rude but it is a fact..... May Allah forgive us and accept our HAJJ and prayers......

Wasalm

Fawad Muhammad
Karachi, Pakistan.......