*Note: This article is a follow-on from my first guide on How to Travel to Damascus. Check there for the first step in visiting this beautiful, historic city!
One of the biggest challenges to finding a hotel or place to stay in Damascus is the struggle to book online, while also ensuring you find a location that has electricity and hot running water 24/7. However, improvements are being made all the time, and particularly now that sanctions are being lifted, its hoped that it will become easier and easier to book. Your best option to book is likely to reach out over WhatsApp and/or by calling.
That said, the below neighborhoods and hotels are recommended, either based on my personal experience and/or others recommendations.
Abu Rumana/Malki: This neighborhood is central enough to walk to many of the sites (sometimes a longer walk), but also has an abundance of cafes and restaurants available at all price ranges. This is also where many NGOs and UN agencies have set their guesthouses, due to overall safety, access and walkability. Recommended hotels in this area include:
- Four Seasons Hotel: Infamous hotel where the UN has been running all of its offices from during the last 14 years of war. Hotel facilities are heavily secured, rooms are small but nice, and cost is expensive ($200 USD+/night). However, does have electricity and hot water 24/7. WiFi should theoretically be among the better options. Serves alcohol.
- Dama Rose Hotel: Also one of the more expensive options, but this hotel is known as an “institution” in Damascus. Also likely to have more consistent electricity, hot water and WiFi. Not known if it serves alcohol or not.
- Cham Palace Hotel: More mid-range hotel ($115 USD+/night) that is old but clean. Has electricity and hot running water 24/7, but WiFi is weaker, particularly outside of the (beautiful) lobby. There is a café next door that has better WiFi. This is where I’ve stayed on my last 3 visits, and I would stay there again (particularly for work purposes). Does not serve alcohol.
- Omayyad Hotel: More mid-range hotel that is also old but clean enough. Colleagues who’ve stayed here report the rooms are comfortable, electricity and hot water is fine, but WiFi is also weak. Has a bar with a nice view on its rooftop.
Bab Touma/Bab Sharqi: When people talk about going to the “old city”, they tend to mean these two neighborhoods, although the old city includes other areas as well. These neighborhoods are also traditionally where a more heavily Christian population lives. This area is filled with small winding paths, lots of cafes, restaurants and bars as well as many tourist destinations and other charms. If you want to stay where the “action” is, this is the area to stay in. There are many small hotels based in traditional Damascene houses here, but these also may have more irregularities in their electricity, water and WiFi access. However, the two following hotels have been recommended:
- Beit Akbik Hotel: “Boutique” style hotel in a traditional Damascene building. It came recommended as a cheaper option (rooms were indicated to be around $65 USD+/night) to stay in, which is very comfortable but also has consistent access to electricity, water and WiFi. However, it is a small hotel, so may book out quickly.
- Agenor Hotel: A self-described “Boutique” hotel, established in an old Damascene house. Décor looks beautiful, and is close to all the action. Also a lovely place to stay for tourists.
- If both of these are booked out, look on Google Maps for hotels in the same vicinity, many of which have “beit” (which means house) in their title. Be sure to read reviews and confirm electricity, water and WiFi before booking though. My quick google search found: Beit Zafran Hotel, Beit al Wali Hotel, and Beit al-Mamlouka Hotel as some gorgeous-looking alternatives.
Mazzeh: Many NGOs and embassies have established their offices and guesthouses in the Mezzeh neighborhood. This area is quite and further away from the city center and most tourist areas, and only a few restaurants/cafes. However, if you are in need of staying in this area for work reasons, the following hotels are recommended:
- Golden Mazzeh Hotel: One of the more expensive options, but comfortable. Facilities includes a pool. Does serve alcohol.
- Queen Center Hotel: Cheaper than the Grand Mazzeh, and many rooms have a kitchenette available. Does not serve alcohol.
Although there are many other neighborhoods to explore, the above are central, safe and (from my experience) are going to provide you with the best base for exploring this wonderful city.
Stay tuned for more advice on what to expect and getting around the city, coming soon!
Angela was born and raised in the United States, but has spent the last 15 years of her life travelling around the globe as a humanitarian, responding to some of the world worst crises. She spent the last 11 years of her life travelling around the Middle East, supporting the humanitarian crisis in Syria. All of this work only spurred on her love of travel. Angela has now been to almost 50 countries, 8 of which are in the Middle East region. Yalla Habibti was born out of a deep love for the Middle East, and a desire to bring the beauty, history and culture of this region to encourage more women to visit! Angela still works full time as a humanitarian as well as providing advice and recommendations here on Yalla Habibti.
