Hi,
I am travelling to Damascus in early October this year from Sydney and so far am having trouble finding a resonably priced hotel in the city, in Australian dollers. I have been quoted $1252.00 or $852.00 both in four star hotels for 5 nights. Am I able to stay somewhere cheaper than this, while still being able to book ahead? I much prefer to be booked into a hotel on arrival into a country when my flight is due in at midnight.
If anyone has any ideas, I would really appreciate a reply.
Thanks,
Matt
Re: Hotels in Damascus
HI Matt,
I did a quick search online but like you said all I could find was 4/5 star hotels.
Most guide books (Rough Guide/Lonely Planet) have sections with accommodation for people on all types of budget. These can be expensive to buy so you might want to have a look in your local library.
Let me know how you get on.
[b][email]chris@imtrav.co.uk[/email][b]
Re: Hotels in Damascus
Hi Chris,
Thanks for the reply to my topic regarding Hotels in Syria.
After pushing my Travel Agent to the limit, she finally came back to me with a quote for a three star hotel. This was far cheaper and well within my budget, $665 for five nights inc transfers. However she was quick to point out that what we as Westerners expect from a three star hotel is not what we will get in Syria. She said that I was likley to get there and see a grotty and run down hotel (she is such a lovely lady).
Have you heard any reports of three star hotels?
I have the Lonely Planet guide to Syria and although it does list hotels it is hard to book from here, and as I said I would like to pre-pay everything before I leave. A hassle I am finding out, however it is so much easier once you are there.
Thanks,
Matt
Re: Hotels in Damascus
Hi Matthew,
It is true that in some cases 3* in the Middle East and other destinations is not as good as you'd expect from a 3* hotel in say the US or Europe.
However, I wouldn't let this put you off too much. While there are some real duffers (like anywhere) other hotels are clean, comfortable and friendly. But as I'm sure you are aware it is difficult to tell which are which without actually being there. If possible try and see if individual hotels have a website you can check out to give you an idea of the place.
[b][email]chris@imtrav.co.uk[/email][b]
Re: Hotels in Damascus
Last September, I stayed in the Alaa Tower I off of Sharia Yousef al-Azmeh. It was your basic hotel room with a full bathroom, a/c and tv. It wasn't fancy, but it was clean. It is a hi-rise hotel, not a Mom and Pop operation. It was $30 a night and they would only take USD *cash* It is listed in LP's Syria guidebook, but I only have their ME book, which shoes it on the map but doesn't include details.