Damascus Hotel Tips by MM212

A beautifully restored 17th century Damascus mansion has been converted into an 8-suite luxury boutique hotel called Beit al Mamlouka. The hotel is located near Bab Touma in the Christian Quarter of Old Damascus, a most charming area close to the tourist sites. The hotel is in an authentic Damascene house, built in the city's traditional architectural style and layout, and whose rooms are connected through a central courtyard with an iwan, citrus trees and a fountain. The rooms have preserved their original ornate decorations and are furnished with Syrian antiques. Each room carries a different name of a famous characters from Arab literature and history.

Unique Qualities: Staying at Beit al Mamlouka, one gets to experience true Damascene hospitality first hand in an authentic environment. The extremely friendly staff make your stay special and prepare the most delicious local breakfast. All this luxury comes at a price, of course, particularly over holiday periods, though it is worth every Syrian pound!

This is the place to stay if you want luxury in Damascus. It is worth noting that Beit al Mamlouka has started the trend of converting old Damascene mansions into boutique hotels. Others such as Talisman and Shahbandar have followed. More to come, I'm sure.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: (+963 11) 543 0445
Address: Bakri Street - Bab Touma
Directions: Opposite Hammam Bakri near Bab Touma in the Christian Quarter of Old Damascus.
Website: www.almamlouka.com

There is a Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus, a fact unknown to many. While I did not stay here, I wanted to include this tip as an option for those looking to visit Damascus. I did visit the hotel in March 2008 for afternoon tea and then again for dinner at its exquisite Aleppine restaurant al-Halabi. The Four Seasons is perhaps the only large top-service luxury hotel in Damascus, where nothing is expected to go wrong. While it probably costs more than other "luxury" hotels in the city, I have no doubt the service here is much better than anywhere and you get more for your pound, even if you pay more. The Four Seasons was built and inaugurated in 2005 (?) in anticipation of increased tourism in Syria, but political events in the following years have reduced the influx of tourists. For this reason, getting a special deal at the Four Seasons may be possible.

Unique Qualities: The hotel is located about 5-10 minutes by car/taxi from Old Damascus, but it is still near some interesting sights, such as the Damascus Museum and Tekiyya Suleimaniya (Ottoman-period mosque). If you are in Damascus for business, this is the place to stay. If you are here for tourism, this is a wonderful place to stay, but much less "special" than staying at some of the old mansion-hotels in Old Damascus.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: 963-11-231-0888
Address: Shukri Al Quatli Street, DAMASCUS, 1, SY

Like Beit Al-Mamlouka, Dar al-Yasmin is an old Damascus mansion that has been converted into a boutique hotel. Dar al-Yasmin is much more reasonably priced, and although not as luxurious, is still a pleasant place to stay if you are looking for a small hotel in the heart of the old city. I did not stay here, but stopped by to take a look. The hotel also has a restaurant and a hammam (massage and sauna). It is located off Bab Touma street, behind the Latin (Franciscan) Church, in the Christian Quarter. The hotel's website is nicely designed with many pictures of the hotel.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: +963-11-544-3380
Address: Bab Touma - Damascus
Website: www.daralyasmin.com
Other Contact: info@daralyasmin.com

The latest addition to the growing list of luxury boutique hotels in Damascus, Talisman Hotel opened its doors in 2007. A large old mansion in the Jewish Quarter (Haret el-Yahoud) was converted into this 17-room luxury hotel. Talisman and Beit al-Mamlouka are considered as the two best hotels of this kind in Old Damascus, though Talisman is a tad more expensive. I did not stay here, but stopped by for a quick glance at the hotel. I did like what I saw, and would stay here if Beit al-Mamlouka were fully booked - in fact, the Beit al-Mamlouka staff said that Talisman is the only other hotel they recommend to the customers they turn away.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: (+963) 11 541 53 79
Address: 116 Tal el-Hijara Street, Haret el-Yahoud, Old Damascus
Directions: South of the Roman Arch and Via Recta (follow the signs)
Website: www.hoteltalisman.net
Other Contact: reservation@hoteltalisman.net