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The Old City’s first luxury hotel, Beit al Mamlouka—a sumptuous 17th-century house dating from the end of the Mamloukian era, painstakingly restored to its former glory at a cost of well over $1 million—opened its doors to guests in April 2005. Located on the edge of the Christian quarter of Bab Touma, the hotel offers a choice of eight rooms, including the exotically titled Suleiman the Magnificent suite, set around a traditional Damascene courtyard complete with fountain, orange trees and marble mosaics.
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The Hanging Garden of Babylon-esque lobby, with verdant tendrils hanging down to a fountain courtyard and assorted guests below, is the real star of this hotel and should be visited even if you don’t stay here. The Cham is the most conveniently located top-rate hotel in Damascus, sitting right in the heart of the downtown district. It has a luxuriantly overdone feel to it, with mother-of-pearl as far as the eye can see. Rooms can be a bit small, however, so check before setting your bags down. Staff are ever ready and ever friendly. Recommended for business travellers who like a touch of flair. Has four conference rooms with simultaneous translation and 800 capacity.
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Perfect for those wanting to beat a retreat from the seething city centre when the day is done, the Ebla Cham Palace is located closer to the airport than it is to Damascus. Its countryside setting means it can offer sports galore, including tennis, horse riding at the Cham Country Club and Syria’s first 18-hole golf course. Of course, you could decide a dip in the sauna or the pool is more the order of the day. Rooms are mostly modern with the furniture unusually light and simple, though the designer couldn’t resist a handful of pouring chandeliers. A free shuttle runs into the city centre every half hour. Also has two conference halls
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The Omayad is a unique among Damascus hotels in offering business travellers wi-fi access from their rooms. That’s not all. The food is a cut above other similar hotels (try to avoid the Japanese option), the satellite channels are programmed and there’s a Jacuzzi and hydrotherapy available. There’s also a 60 person conference hall. The hotel has been open since 1931 and is one of Damascus’ most established. It’s affiliated to Swiss International Hotels and staff are efficient and attentive. In summer the café on the roof opens, offering great city views. Good value and recommended.
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The Sheraton won design awards in the 1970s and still holds a good deal of aesthetic appeal, with traditional Arab flair thoughtfully worked into modern and sleek interiors. One of the great attractions of staying here, though, is the eclectic range of guests you’ll find as neighbours as the hotel attracts everyone from tour bookings to wealthy Gulf investors. The outdoor pool is a particular bonus, offering a fine view of the mountains. Rooms are comfortable and the standard of service high. It has to be, to make up for the inconvenient location close to nowhere in particular at the beginning of the highway out to the western suburb of Mezze.
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