Our DIY Umrah Experience P12 | First Breakfast At The Best Most Luxurious Five-Star Hotel In Madinah

This is Part 12 of "Our DIY Umrah Experience" vlog series. After the first Fajr prayer at Masjid Nabawi (on our second day in Medina) we headed back to our Hotel, the Inter-continental Dar Al Iman. The five-star luxury hotel is so close to the mosque and it has a rear entrance which is only a few yards (meters) away from Gate 329 of the courtyard. By the time we came out of the compound after solat subuh, the beautifully decorated and elegance dining hall already open (6-10 am)

My wife was extremely happy with the foods -- they were beyond just good, but delicious and tasty -- and that's the most important thing to me. A wise man once said, "a happy wife is a happy life". The extended buffet offer so many different varieties to choose from. The room was spacious, the ambiance was great and we receive VIP-like treatment.

IHG Dar Al Iman is one of, if not the best, most luxurious, highly rated five-star hotels in Madinah. Ideally located adjacent to the Holy Prophet's Mosque plaza, it offers rooms with air conditioning and satellite TV. All rooms are equipped with mini-bars, safes and private bathrooms. Some rooms have stunning views of the Holy Mosque of the Prophet Muhammad. 24-hour reception and a laundry service. The Rotana restaurant serves a variety of Arabian and international cuisine. Asian delights - rice porridge, noodle soup, Mediterranean spreads - olive oil, feta, and fresh produce. Middle Eastern - hummus, falafel, and warm flatbreads, even Pakistani, Indian, American, English or other countries styles as well.

The Taiba Mall and the Bin Dawood Supermarket are nearby. Offering premium suites for business, diplomatic, presidential and royalties. Experience the pinnacle of luxury without breaking the bank, with an average price of just USD$350 per night for twin or king room for couples. The 1, 2 or 3 bedroom suites with families are slightly more expensive.

It's 8.5 out of 10 positive review ratings the highest, second only to Oberoi Medina. The reviewers used the words and phrases like -- great stay, so close to masjid, excellent services, quality breakfast, immaculate clean property, convenient for women, spacious room, wonderful staff, courteous and hospitable - - and more.

This hotel is a popular choice for wealthy pilgrimage from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and also Westerners from United States, England, Australia and Europe.

Footnote: Do not confuse "break fast" (sarapan pagi ) with iftar or buka puasa / sohoor (ramadan month), or even Hari Raya Aidil Fitri celebration.

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Footnote 2: While editing the video, we saw Dato' Seri Mahadi BZMBZ, and his wife Datin Seri Heliza Helmi in the background near Chef De Partie bar for made-to-order eggs. Famously known for his long beard and unique hot wheels cars collection, DS Mahadi BZ Official, a successful self-made multi-millionaire, has inspired a lot of entrepreneurs. At 21, he earned more than the Prime Minister of Malaysia and become a millionaire. Now a wealthy & successful businessman, Owner & President of AUF MBZ Consortium-Islamic Finance Takaful, Mahadi married Nur Heliza -- a local celebrity, AF5 singer, model, movie actor (most recent Pendekar Awang star), humanitarian and activist -- on January 1, 2022. It's been 2 years but still a newlywed compare to us 36.

We eventually met face to face with these lovely couple and their wonderful family at the Tuu Dia Pak Tam Restaurant later on during the day. Only then we learned that they were also staying at the same hotel. I have always been a fan of "La Tahzan", a touching song by Heliza and I was so glad to finally meet her and her husband. And talking about a small world, Heliza also used to work briefly with Ana Muslim Sdn Bhd, my wife's brother and sister-in-law publishing company in Kuala Lumpur. Nothing is truly random. Everything that happened, people you met along the way, Allah has already arranged. He is the best of planner.

Contextual Background: Documenting our spiritual retreat journey from USA to Madinah & Makkah. This is our first-time trip to the holy cities and we're braving ourselves to do it via a DIY (do-it-yourself) method. Just the two of us, without travel agent or tour group packages, as a married couple - a husband & wife team. So we're novice and amateurs.

Our videos were meant as vlogs for friends and family, but hopefully my umrah experience can also be useful to larger audiences on how to best prepare their journey. Although not "The Ultimate Guide" or tutorial on how to perform DIY Umrah blogs, our contents should have some tips and useful guides on planning, must-have items to bring, essentials or packing list and tips, places to visit, best hotels in near both great mosques etc.

Watch the playlist here: https://studio.youtube.com/playlist/P...

Recording Date: February 8, 2024
Published By: Malay-USA Youtube Channel
Video URL:    • Our DIY Umrah Experience P12 | First Break...