Al Rabie hotel - doubled its pricing?

Sue, Have you checked out the Hotel Ghazal? Ask for room number 8 for a single ensuite, or room number 9 when two people. (These rooms are upstairs and quieter, away from the communal courtyard). You also get a breakfast included. It aint the Ritz, but the brothers who own the Ghazal are freindly and helpfull. Once you travel and leave Damascus, 1,000 to 1,500 SYP gets you some really quality accommodation in Syria.
Contact tel.+963 11 23 13736 or E-mail: info@ghazalhotel.com or www.ghazalhotel.com

Hey Sandyfoot.

thanks so much for your recommendation. I will follow it up tomorrow.

There is another one that's not in the LP guide book. I went to have a look at this Damascus Hostel but didn't stay there, you will need to check the prices etc. It's only been open a short time.

We stayed at Hotel Ghazal for 1500 per night and that was one of the more expensive places we stayed in Syria. The owners are indeed very friendly and helpful and were fine about keeping our room with no deposit or anything even though we arrived very late at night.

Damascus Hostel is even more expensive - 33 euro (over 2000 SYP) for a double and you can only arrive late if you book their expensive airport transfer.

All prices have gone up quite a bit from the LP even to the point of almost doubling in some cases but 2000 SYP sounds high for Al Rabie from what I've read about it.

I stayed on the rooftop here last year and the hostel itself has got a lot of charm (especially the fountain/garden courtyard which is really relaxing in the evenings to smoke some hookah and enjoy a tea) so I would really recommend this place, and the staff is also friendly and helpful. I do not recall the prices being as steep as you say, but this could be because you are calling in advance. It is common to be quoted a higher price when you are not there in person to haggle things down. I would generally advise against booking places ahead of time in this part of the world. Agreeing on a price is part of the fun of things anyways, isn't it?

Cheers! Hope all goes well.

Hey,
i just stayed in the Hotel - they also have cheaper rooms like the suggested double-room (2000S.P)... The Hotel is so wonderful....it is so relaxing, the staff is so friendly... It is the perfect place to be and to relax after a day in the busy streets of Damascus

Don't worry about the reservation: When you arrive there at 11 or 12 am or in the early afternoon, it should mostly not be a problem..
Syria - so was my impression - gets more and more expensive At most hotels the prices are much higher than listed in the Lonely Planet.... But still cheap!

Greetings Chris

Hi all,

There was a thread a few months ago about bed bugs Al-Rabie. Can anybody who has stayed there recently say whether or not they slept bite free?

Thanks - Charlie

I just emailed the Al-Rabie to book a room in October. They also quoted me 2000 SP. Is this reasonable or am I being completely ripped off?? I don't normally book accommodation in advance, but as I have only 11 days on this trip and a strict itinerary I'm reluctant to risk places being full and wasting precious time searching for accommodation. What do you think??! Thanks! :-)

#8 2000 SYP sounds a lot for a budget hotel in Syria. Have you tried any others like Ghazal Hotel (they seem to respond to emails and honoured our reservation)?