Hello all,
I've pencilled in a couple of beach days at Latkaia in the middle of my Syria trip and was wondering if anyone had any reccomendations/warnings. I'm looking at the cheaper end of the spectrum, but as I'll be travelling with my mum maybe not the cheapest.
Many thanks,
Danny
dannydannydanny
Check out the Al - Gandoul Hotel tel. 477681 on the Corniche in Lattakia. It overlooks Lattakia's picturesque container port (not). The hotel is mentioned in the LP Syria & Lebanon guide book but they omit to put it on their map on page 144. It is in fact on grid A2 just near the Hotel Safwan, which I would recommend, but not for your mum or anyone’s mum. No breakfasts at the al-Gandoul, head of to upstairs at Olabi Patisserie for that. But the rooms have balconies TV’s and fridges, and are good value, if perhaps a bit noisy because of the working port. The prices as always are negotiable, but probably about 25 -30US, try 20$ to 25$ for a double. The room I looked at was fine, clean and acceptable and represented good value. If you go to museum in Lattakia wander into the Al-Cazino Hotel, that really is an ace building but inside it’s another time warp. If you are into swimming forget about the local beach Shaati al Azraq (Blue Beach) and mini bus out to the safe Wadi Qandeel. Few facilities and no life guard, that’s if you have time. PS If you are stopping in Tartous the Grand Hotel is another Mediterranean bargain hotel with sea views out Arwad Island but that Tartous.
Lattakia Beach (unless it has changed greatly inthe last few years) is absolutely not a place to hang out. Utterly public with virtually nobody on it, and no women at all.
Thanks both, I'll check out the Al-Gandoul on your recommendation sandyfoot. Usually in the ME I'd just turn up and take what's available as long as it has a bed but I'm obviously having to plan a bit more as I'll be with my mum. The beach tips are appreciated as well, I was thinking just to go to the private hotel beaches as listed in the LP but the Wadi Qandeel tip (I've not got my LP to hand but I'm fairly sure this is different) is a great help. Thanks to Ruth as well, having lived in the centre of Alex I can well imagine what you're describing!
