Why Are Hotels in Saudi Arabia Always Fully Booked? The Hidden Reasons & How to Actually Find a Room

When considering accommodation options in Saudi Arabia, many travelers encounter the frustrating experience of “searching for hotels on Google Maps but finding almost no available rooms” or “very limited hotel booking options on Booking.com and Expedia.” This mysterious phenomenon affects many travelers when trying to book hotels in Saudi cities like Jeddah and Medina. Why does this happen? And how can you actually book hotels? This article explores these secrets.

Why International Booking Sites Show No Availability

Saudi Arabia was long closed to foreign tourists visiting for leisure purposes. General tourist visas only began being issued in 2019, and the tourism industry has only recently begun operating in earnest. As part of the national strategy called “Vision 2030,” which aims to diversify away from oil dependency and develop various industries, tourism has been positioned as an important pillar. Due to this historical background, Saudi Arabia’s tourism infrastructure, particularly hotel booking systems, remains far from international standards.

Let’s break down the specific reasons why booking is difficult:

1. Different Online Booking Culture

Until recently, Saudi Arabia was not actively pursuing inbound tourism, and the hotel industry has not sufficiently integrated with international booking systems. Particularly for locally-owned hotels, phone calls and direct negotiations are more common than online bookings. Participation in international booking platforms is often a low priority for many hotel operators.

Even luxury hotels in major cities like Jeddah and Riyadh don’t necessarily make all their rooms available on international booking sites, often reserving some rooms for alternative channels.

2. Government Regulations and Complex Licensing

Saudi Arabian hotels operate under various government regulations, with special licenses required to accommodate foreign tourists. These licensing processes are complex and time-consuming, meaning not all hotels have obtained these permits.

Furthermore, while Mecca remains off-limits to non-Muslims, even in Medina where regulations have been gradually relaxed, many hotels cater exclusively to Muslim guests and don’t integrate with international booking sites since they don’t accept non-Muslim guests.

3. Priority for Offline Contracts

Many Saudi Arabian hotels have long-term contracts with government agencies, large corporations, and Hajj (pilgrimage) tour operators. These contracts often reserve significant numbers of rooms for extended periods, severely limiting available rooms for general online booking.

Particularly in areas with active oil-related business, it’s common for the majority of rooms to be contracted by large corporations for their employees.

4. Regional Optimization of Booking Systems

International booking sites like Booking.com and Expedia are primarily optimized for Western markets and don’t fully adapt to the needs of specialized markets like Saudi Arabia. For example, required information during booking (visa numbers, religion, etc.) may not be included in standard forms on these platforms.

To bridge these gaps, domestic Saudi booking sites like Almosafer exist, but these are often primarily in Arabic, making them less accessible to foreign tourists.

5. Transitional Period of Tourism Opening

Saudi Arabia has begun focusing on tourism industry development as part of its “Vision 2030” policy, but it’s still in a transitional phase. General tourist visa issuance only recently became common, and tourism infrastructure and online booking systems haven’t fully caught up with this rapid change.

How to Actually Book Hotels in Saudi Arabia

Even if international booking sites show no availability, don’t give up. The following methods can increase your chances of successful booking:

1. Contact Hotels Directly

The most reliable method is contacting your target hotel directly by phone or email. Most hotels list contact information on their official websites. Consider time zones for English-speaking staff availability, and clearly communicate specific dates and required room types. Mentioning your visa type and travel purpose can result in more appropriate assistance.

Disadvantages: Time differences can make contact difficult. Responses may be slow or nonexistent, so contacting multiple hotels simultaneously is wise. Language barriers can be challenging, especially with smaller regional hotels where English support may be limited.

2. Use Local Travel Agencies

Saudi Arabian travel agencies often have special relationships with many hotels and can access rooms not displayed online. Representatives include Al Tayyar Travel Group, Kanoo Travel, Elaf Group, and Seera Group. These agencies provide English-language websites and customer service, with email inquiries possible.

Disadvantages: Agency fees may be added, potentially making costs higher than direct booking. Response to international inquiries is often slow, with booking confirmation taking several days. Credit card information may be required, raising security concerns.

3. Use Saudi Domestic Booking Sites

Saudi domestic booking sites often have partnerships with more hotels than international sites. Sites like Almosafer, Rehlat, Flyin, and Wego support local payment methods and may offer more options.

Disadvantages: These sites are primarily in Arabic, with limited or incomplete English translations. Foreign-issued credit cards may not be accepted, and post-booking changes or cancellation processes can be complex. Site user interfaces may be unintuitive, making the booking process complicated.

4. Leverage International Hotel Chain Loyalty Programs

Registering for loyalty programs with international hotel chains like Hilton, Marriott, or Accor may provide access to rooms not publicly available. Member-exclusive booking allocations, point redemptions, or special rates may be displayed.

Disadvantages: International chain hotels are generally more expensive. Upper-tier membership is often required for meaningful benefits, with limited advantages for general members. Point bookings may have even more restricted availability.

5. Use Specialized International Travel Agencies

Travel agencies specializing in the Middle East may have connections with Saudi Arabia’s hotel industry. The major advantage is communication without language barriers and comprehensive advice including visa acquisition support.

Disadvantages: Fees are often expensive, potentially significantly increasing budgets. Flexibility decreases, with bookings often becoming part of package tours. Booking change flexibility is also typically restricted.

6. Book Just Before Your Stay

A phenomenon specific to Saudi Arabia is that bookable hotels suddenly increase just before travel dates. While reasons aren’t certain, this may include cases where limited-release rooms weren’t fully booked and became available to general tourists at the last minute. Since hotel options increase closer to travel dates, you might try a “chicken race” approach with last-minute booking.

Disadvantages: You won’t know how many hotels actually become available until the last minute. To avoid worst-case scenarios of finding no accommodation, prepare backup plans like securing cancellable reservations in advance.

Conclusion: Be Strategic and Flexible

Hotel booking in Saudi Arabia can be difficult if you rely solely on international booking sites. However, by utilizing multiple channels and acting strategically, finding suitable accommodation is possible.

Keeping in mind that Saudi Arabia’s tourism infrastructure is still developing can help reduce frustration during the booking process. Approaching the task with time and patience is key to successful accommodation booking in this unique country.

Finally, Saudi Arabia is rapidly changing. In the near future, booking systems may approach international standards, but currently, knowing some “insider” methods is essential for successful travel planning.

This article is based on information as of April 1, 2025. Saudi Arabia’s tourism policies are rapidly changing, so please check official sites for the latest information.