Ghazal Hotel

Arriving after midnight, I chanced upon two traveler who - like me - missed the bus from the airport to the center, and the next bus is in an hour so we decided to share the taxi. I'm supposed to look for a place to stay but ended up to the place they've made a bookig - at Ghazal hotel. The hotel looks like an old damascus house converted into a hotel, the reception woke up and opened the door and let us in.

Fortunately there was only one bed available in the dorm room of 4 people asleep, so I silently walked in and took off my shoes and laid down. Been a long time since I've slept in a dorm room, I was tired so I managed to take a 3 hour or so nap. There's a bathroom and a separate toilet within the room - very clean and new. You have to have your own towel though. There are also several bathrooms outside where people share, and the stairs going up are open top terrace of sort where people are also sleeping - for backpackers on a real tight budget I guess.

The breakfast hall is a typical damascus courtyard, it has a roofing though, so you're not exposed to the heat of the sun. In the outside, it looks like a house with a sign along the Souk Sarouja, a minute walk to the highway - called Al Thawra Street.

At SYR600 for a bed dorm room with a small breakfast of flat bread, butter, cheese, egg, olives and a local apple, tea or coffee too, it's a good option for budget traveler, esp/ if one wants to socialize with fellow travelers.

And the guy at the reception speaks good english and very courteous and helpful, he gave me a map of the city and explained briefly the way to the old city and ask him also information and tips, he will be happy to be of help.

I came back after going around the country but the hotel - just like most accommodations - is full, so it's best to book in advance to avoid taking much time and effort hunting for a place to stay.

The singles with shared bathroom is SYR1,100 while the doubles at SYR1,500.

Directions: along Souk Sarooja street, a minute walk to the main Al Thawra street where ul find all sort of transport