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AbeCross · Joined: 21 Jun 2012 Posts: 191

A small group of us are planning to visit this place in June. We're driving there, so transportation is not an issue. We were planning to stay in a hotel in Medina, but a travel agent said it was possible only for Muslims. Our party is comprised of people of diverse religions.
Can anyone make a suggestion in regards to hotel accommodations? We'd like to stay near the ruins for two nights in June.
Thank you in advance.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Most visitors stay here -

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g1802184-d1457231-Reviews-Madain_Saleh_Hotel-Al_Ula.html

When I visited there was a requirement that we travel around with a guide from the hotel and we were accompanied at all times by a police Landrover.

If my memory serves me right there is hotel near Medina Airport which is on the right side of the demarcation line so that non-Muslims can stay there.

Dedicated · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK

I think the nearest hotel to Madain Saleh is the ARAC in Al-Ula, which is about 22kms away. It is 4 star and quite comfortable, and they will arrange the permit you need to visit the ruins in a couple of days. It was 100 rials when I went.

If you are in Riyadh, you can apply for your permit from the National Museum. You cannot visit the ruins without a permit, and you will probably get a police escort there, and back, following the killing of 3 French tourists in the area in 2007.

Dedicated · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK

I've just seen Scot 47's post -

The Madain Saleh Hotel in Al-Ula burnt down in 2012, and whilst they say it will be "renovated", it is extremely unlikely.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I am behind the times ! I visited Madain Saleh before the attacks on the Francophone tourists a few years ago. Many locals disapprove of ANYONE visiting these "pagan" sites.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/6398395.stm

Wilsonthefarmer · Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 9:14 pm Post subject:

Some nice pictures from Madain Saleh, with review of hotels in the Al Ula town:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/middle-east/madain-salih-permit-necessary-67531

lcanupp1964 · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 381

Everything that the poster "Dedicated" said is right. The only place to stay is the ARAC hotel in Al-Ula. It was a nice hotel with a good place to eat on the grounds of the hotel. The other hotel is still not open from the fire. I went about six months ago saw most of the sights. It's worth going. Don't expect to see the ruins without a permit. If you just show up at the hotel, you need one full day to get the permit.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

http://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotel_Review-g1802184-d1901303-Reviews-Al_Ula_ARAC_Resort-Al_Ula.html

Reading about the collapse of the Nabatean civilisation gives certain insights into the locals who do not seem to have learned much from that historical catastrophe !

Nabatea earned its daily bread from taxing traders passing through on the land route from Yemen to Egypt, Palestine and Syria. When the Romans camr along and took control of the Red Sea, it became easier to trasnsport trade goods by ship. End of Nabatea !