Tehran
If ever there was a hotel the atmosphere of which revolved around one man, this is it. Mr Mousavi is the personification of Persian hospitality, and his…
Must-see hotels in Iran
Iran
A brilliant deal for backpackers wishing to hit the slopes at Dizin, this cosy chalet-style hostel in the village of Velayat Rud, around 5km from the ski…
Bandar Abbas
The professionally run Atilar is a great place to drop anchor in the centre. Expect efficient service, spacious rooms, excellent bedding, sparkling…
Iran
Set amid pines on a tree-lined boulevard, this low-rise property has given itself a canny, retro-fashionable make-over. Fully equipped rooms are bargain…
Iran
Amazing value for money, the Kamelia is a seven-storey tower with plush, if slightly over-frilly, upmarket rooms for the price of a basic two-star hotel.
Mashhad
An oasis of calm, contemporary elegance, this excellent hotel has polite, English-proficient staff, a great basement coffeeshop and comfortable rooms…
Iran
The Laleh’s 10 remarkable rooms have been carved out of ‘fairy chimney’ rock knolls. Inside they're luxurious affairs, with stylish lighting, futon beds,…
Tehran
It's worth paying a bit extra for the Howeyzeh's contemporary-styled grey-marble lobby and restaurant area with accents of teal and gold. Rooms don't…
Iran
Wonderful home cooking (US$10 each meal) is served at this excellent guesthouse, and both the hostel and apartment offer kitchen facilities. Sleeping,…
Iran
This licensed homestay offers an excellent way to gain a feel for genuine village life. Guests stay in a huge room occupying the top floor of the owner's…
Iran
This large and attractive mud-and-thatch property with a fountain pool in the garden is run by a pair of hospitable brothers and is a notch above others…
Esfahan
This lovely old house, with a dazzling set of murals in the foyer and copious mirror work, is something of a treat in a city lacking in characterful…
Iran
Sitting aloof on the hill above Ramsar, the Grand is an oasis of luxury away from the exhausts of Rte 22. Surrounded by gardens and orange groves, the…
Iran
A cut above the average travellers' inn, this Pahlavi-era hotel makes an overnight stay in Na'in rather inviting. There are eight split-level suites…
Iran
You'll never want to leave this exquisitely restored Qajar-era traditional house, right in the centre of the old town opposite the covered bazaar. The…
Yazd
This restored caravanserai attracts large crowds of travellers from around the country, congregating over chay from the samovar in the canvas-covered…
Shiraz
This attractive hotel, run by an enterprising family who has renovated the surrounding lanes over the past five years, is located in a traditional house…
Yazd
Two minutes’ walk from the Masjed-e Jameh, the Silk Road’s traditional courtyard setting, delicious Indian-style food and sociable atmosphere attracts a…
Yazd
Rooms at this 200-year-old mansion opposite the Amir Chakhmaq Mosque Complex are set around two large courtyards and retain their aged charm with stained…
Esfahan
If this hotel was any closer to Esfahan's iconic square, guests would be taking up residence in Ali Qapu Palace. Aside from the perfect location, this new…
Kamalalmolk Traditional Guesthouse
Kashan
This newly opened hotel, in a traditional house constructed nearly two centuries ago, sports a fine wind-catcher. With little characterful midrange…
Yazd
For clean, private rooms for the price of a dorm, this hostel is a great choice. Opened in 2017 by a lively, youthful crew, most of the eight rooms are…
Iran
Located on a hill above Abyaneh, this cared-for hotel with its kind and amiable management offers the most comfortable place to stay in town. It also…
Shiraz
With a popular restaurant on the 6th floor, a sports complex including an attractive pool, sauna and Jacuzzi, this new and stylish hotel is giving the…
Iran
Beautifully exotic, this modern-day caravanserai, set against the imposing backdrop of Kuh-e Bisotun (Mt Bisotun), perfectly conjures the ambience of The…
Esfahan
Owner-manager Mr Bagherian is extremely proud of his hotel, and no wonder. In an excellent location in the centre of town, its 60 spacious rooms have…
Yazd
A traditional property belonging to the high-standard Mehr chain, the 250-year-old Khan-e Zargar-e Yazdi has been beautifully restored. With large, well…
Zein-o-din
After a three-year renovation, during which 13,000 pumice stones were used to scour centuries of grime from the walls, this simple accommodation was pared…
Iran
Charming Furukh and her gregarious husband Kamran converted a rustic, thick-walled adobe homestead into this delightful four-room ecolodge, artfully…
Southeastern Iran
Faux Corinthian columns and King Kurosh (Cyrus) reliefs give a sense of slightly kitschy grandeur, while warmly decorated rooms are comfortable if…
Iran
The most comfortable rooms in Sanandaj are a long way from the centre in this schmicked-up, multistorey warren of restaurants and coffee shops that's…
Southeastern Iran
German-speaking tour guide Jalal has poured his heart into restoring his classically styled ancestral home to create an appealing little guesthouse. The…
Southeastern Iran
Eight of Meymand's old cave-rooms have been equipped with clean bedding, tree-branch shelving, heater and lamps for overnight stays. Yet with namad and…
Iran
Hotel Koohrang is in a pretty valley near a river and makes up for any lack of exterior charm by the warmth of its welcome. With a range of activities…
Tehran
Located at 3525m, this is the only accommodation and place to eat near the summit of the mountain. As ski lodges go, it's a rather cosy and pleasant place…
Iran
In a woodland setting behind the garden of the appealing Telar teahouse (open from 3pm), the Tourist Hotel's main building has renovated rooms that are…
Shabhaye Talai – Golden Nights Beach Restaurant
Qeshm Island
No language barrier at this quirky venture: it's run by Annelie, from Germany, and her husband, Ali Reza, who both speak fluent English and go to great…
Southeastern Iran
Female-run Omid is cleaner than most ultra-budget guesthouses; the simple rooms have a TV and fridge – and rock-hard beds – and guests can use the kitchen…
Iran
Directly opposite the airport and sharing a building with the slightly more upmarket Novotel is this slick, contemporary-design business hotel that takes…
Iran
The most comfortable rooms in town are in this Parsian tower 8km from the centre and walking distance to Taq-e Bustan. The 6th-floor restaurant, with its…
