Hej,
I am having a hard time finding a rather not expensive hotel for my first days in Damaskus in September. Two questions:
Can someone give me an outline of Hotel pricing? What sort of hotel will I get for 50 € a night (two persons)? In Damaskus and around the country...
Can someone recommend me a nice hotel (location) for my first days in Damaskus, again price should not be far above 50 €?
cheers
pukki
You should be able to get the mid-range business hotels for that price, or a good deal on a better place.
I stayed at City Hotel (Funduq al-Medina or something like that) near the old Hijaz station. I think it was in the LP, and it cost less than what you are willing to pay. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the rooms were huge and clean. Almost of the other guests were Iranian pilgrims so I was happy to be the sole tourist there.
(Varo! Pukki on ruoka tuossa kaupungissa.)
CK
For 50 €/$70 you should be able to get a very decent hotel 4/5* There are a lot of hotels that charge less than 50 €, but if you want to spend that much and get a very good hotel, I suggest the Hotel Semiramis, which is within walking distance (~ 10 minutes) of the old town.
George5, Semiramis was much more expensive than that when I was in Damascus (late March or early April), but I was trying to book the same day so perhaps they had just filled up.
CK
Chris - Semiramis ha a funny pricing policy. If you just walk in, they quote you outrageous prices (100 €+). The key is to either book them via an internet hotel booking engine, or insist these when checking in. That almost always works, as they ae never full. Last time I stayed ther (about a year ago, I paid $70 for a single)
why not google Damascus hostel - located in the centre in good place and operated by
a friendly and helpful guy. It always gets good reviews from visitors. Not sure of cost
maybe around $25 - more friendly and personal than most hotels in Syria - check out their website.
I am staying at Hotel Afamia in central damascus rite now- it is in th LP book midrange option- for 45 euro you can get a renovated room here, which is the cleanest room i have had fro this price in this part of the world. www.afamihotel.com It is close to the souk which to me is most important. : )
I would also recommend Afamia, where we have been staying 4 times between 2002 and 2007, and where we intend to stay again in a couple of months. The renovated rooms ( they call them 'business rooms' ) are very pleasant and comfortable, the price quoted by Zoeyll is similar to what we have paid in 2007
( breakfast was extra @ EUR.3,- per person, don't have high expectations, but is definitely meeting Syrian standards for a ***-hotel ).
Once we arrived without reservation - in 2005 -, and were suggested by the Afamia staff to stay at City ( or Mdina ) hotel, which we did - but I can not express how happy we were to be able to move next morning to Afamia ! City hotel to be avoided at my appreciation...