Shaza Regency Plaza Al Madinah Review: The 3-Star Hotel with Madinah’s Only Italian Restaurant, 3 Minutes from Masjid Nabawi
If you are searching for an honest Shaza Regency Plaza Al Madinah review — or if you knew this property as Al Madinah Harmony Hotel — this guide covers everything before you book your Umrah stay. Located on Siteen Road in the Northern District, this hotel sits 3 to 5 minutes from Masjid Nabawi, offers views of the sacred Mount Uhud, and houses the only Italian restaurant I have found in any hotel near the Prophet’s Mosque across eleven Madinah hotel reviews. But there is a critical star rating truth you must know before booking.
Name History and Star Rating — Critical Information
This hotel previously operated as Al Madinah Harmony Hotel before a full renovation in October 2023 rebranded it as Shaza Regency Plaza Al Madinah. It is now operated by Maysan International Group — a pioneering hospitality group in the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah.
The star rating requires honest clarification. One guest specifically noted that the travel company they booked through falsely advertised the hotel as 4 or 5-star — the hotel itself is officially 3-star and the staff are doing a great job within their classification, but the misrepresentation creates wrong expectations.
This review presents the hotel honestly as a 3-star property. Booked with the right expectations, it over-delivers significantly — particularly on location and dining variety.
Location
Shaza Regency Plaza Al Madinah is a 3-minute walk from Al Masjid Al-Nabawi Mosque, with Gates 24 and 25 accessible within the same short walk. The walk takes 5 to 7 minutes to Bab Al Salam or the women’s entrance at Gate 25, making it ideal for female pilgrims.
Nearby landmarks include Jannat al-Baqi 1.2km away, the Green Dome 1km, and Masjid Al Ghamamah 1.2km. Bin Dawood supermarket is 500 metres away. The airport is 15.8km — approximately 22 minutes drive. A parking garage is available on site with limited spaces on a first come, first served basis.
The Grazie Restaurant — Completely Unique in Madinah
Across eleven hotel reviews near Masjid Nabawi, this is the only property offering an Italian restaurant.
Grazie serves characteristic Italian cuisine including seafood, while the Harmony Café offers light snacks and drinks. The main restaurant offers an à la carte menu and international buffets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
For pilgrims on longer Madinah stays, food variety is a genuine quality-of-life factor. Grazie is a halal Italian trattoria — no alcohol — but the cuisine itself is distinctive and memorable. For agencies constructing premium Umrah packages, this restaurant genuinely differentiates the hotel from every other mid-range property in this zone.
During Ramadan, Suhoor and Iftar replace standard meals. Packed lunches are available on request for Ziyarat day trips.
Rooms
All rooms are air conditioned and feature a flat-screen satellite TV, a minibar, a work desk, and a safety deposit box. Private bathrooms include bathtubs and a set of luxury toiletries.
Quadruple room options provide generously sized accommodation for families and groups, and select rooms offer picturesque views of the majestic Uhud Mountain. The Mount Uhud view rooms carry real spiritual significance — always request these at booking stage.
Some rooms include separate sitting areas with sofa beds. Prayer rugs and Qibla markers are placed in all rooms. Interconnecting rooms are available for families. Wheelchair accessible rooms are available — confirm at booking.
Honest notes: WiFi is available in public areas but has been reported as inconsistent in rooms. Some guests note minor dated aspects in certain furnishings despite the 2023 renovation.
Facilities
Six lifts ensure minimal waiting times for guests. Other facilities include a business centre, banquet facilities, minimarket, bureau de change, car rental, laundry and dry cleaning valet, wake-up service, and a concierge who arranges Ziyarat tours to Quba Mosque and Mount Uhud.
Multilingual staff speak Arabic, German, English, French, Indonesian, and Urdu.
Honest Pros and Cons
Pros: 3 to 5 minute walk to Masjid Nabawi, Grazie Italian restaurant — unique across all Madinah hotels, Mount Uhud views from select rooms, fully renovated October 2023, Maysan International Group management, spacious quad rooms for families, parking garage on site, multilingual staff, wheelchair accessible rooms, Ziyarat tour arrangements.
Cons: Officially 3-star — misrepresented by some agents as higher, WiFi inconsistent in rooms, some management staff attitude issues flagged, parking limited and first come first served, minor room amenity inconsistencies in some units.
Verdict
Shaza Regency Plaza delivers well for its 3-star classification and significantly above expectations on location and dining uniqueness. The Grazie Italian restaurant alone makes it stand apart from every other mid-range hotel near the Haram. Book it honestly, request the Mount Uhud view room, and this hotel will give your pilgrims an Umrah stay with genuine character.
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