Lonely Planet Review

This comfortable four-star business hotel is in an excellent location, perfect for shopping the souqs as well as the odd pilgrimage - the hotel does a roaring trade hosting tour groups from Iran here to visit the mosques of Damascus.

The hotel, situated on busy Al-Shouhada Square, has a 1970s retro feel to it - picture wood panelling, marble floors, and classic wall clocks lined up in a row set to Tokyo, Sydney and Tehran time. Given the clientele, it's the Tehran clock that garners the most attention, with tour groups and their luggage filling the spacious lobby (featuring portraits of the Ayatollah) at times. If there's a long line at reception, help yourself to the dish of tiny sweets on the counter, until English-speaking staff are available. Once upstairs, you'll find the rooms spacious, comfortable and well equipped (if a tad old-fashioned) with fascinating views of the city - this is the highest building on Al-Shouhada Square.