ACCOMMODATION

TOURIST HOTEL (New City)
If one word had to describe Aleppo’s Tourist Hotel it would have to be “sparkling”. Other words would include “friendly”, “helpful” and “inexpensive”.
After a less than satisfactory experience at Dar Halabia the night before (see below), we arrived at the Tourist Hotel around noon without reservations and asked Leslie (who speaks English very well) if we might see a room. She hesitated, “the room is not ready”. We told her we understood that it was too early, but if the room was messy we didn’t mind. “The room has no furniture,” she explained. “Every six months we take everything out and wash the walls.” The room gleamed; literally. We talked to others who also reported their rooms were clean-clean.
Some rooms share bathrooms while others have ensuites. We paid a little more for a 3 bed room with ensuite. Room 14 came to approximately $30 US double occupancy per night. The beds were comfortable with foam mattresses. Furniture in the room included night tables with drawers, a wardrobe with plenty of hangers, a coat rack, chairs and desk. The gleaming large bathroom has an open shower area, toilet and sink. Room 14 has a small balcony; other rooms we could see had larger balconies or none – so if it is important ask. Room 14 was one room up from reception and the breakfast room was one floor down from reception (no elevator). The breakfast was simple with real juice, tea, coffee, bread, butter, jams, cheese and olives served family style at a table with other guests. Our morning host was welcoming and a bit of a comedian.
The only downside we could find is that they did not have wifi … at least you know upfront instead of being told “it is not working today”.
The Tourist Hotel is in the New City, approximately a 15 minute walk to the Bab Antakaya gate – the western entrance to the Old City souq.
Contact: Leslie (speaks English)
Phone: 211-6583
Walking directions: From the New City clock tower (intersection of Sh al-Maari and Sh Bab al-Faraj) walk west along Sh al-Maari to the second street on right, Sh ad-Dala. The Tourist Hotel is approximately one and a half blocks along Sh ad-Dala on the left just across from Spring Flower Hostel.

DAR HALABIA (Old City)
Not recommended. This hotel is listed by Lonely Planet and is marked “our pick”. It would seem that since getting that designation, the hotel sees no reason to make any further effort; very disappointing.
If one word had to describe Dar Halabia it would be “shabby” and we are not overly picky. Prior to booking the Dar Halabia, we emailed and asked, among other questions, if there was wifi in the rooms. The response was, “Wifi in all hotel.” Based on their answers, we booked. On arrival we were offered our choice of a room on the second floor or one down the street. We asked which receptionist which one he would choose, he said upstairs, Room 12. There was garbage uncollected in the room and bathroom. The bathroom, with a door which refused to stay closed, was dirty, particularly the toilet seat which had not been cleaned thoroughly ( I had to clean it before it could be used). This lack of cleanliness continued through the room with grungy handles on the closet, etc. The room had a metal queen bed, small tray table, chairs and a wardrobe. We attempted to get on the internet … no wifi. We asked and were given a myriad of reasons including “too many people used wifi so it broke.” The bed quality was borderline. The morning gave us only cold water. Breakfast was good and served on an open deck. No juice, only coffee, tea or hot water. Over breakfast we spoke with other guests who were also moving on from their relatively expensive and less than satisfactory stay.
After speaking to the owner by phone, we checked out without penalty and ended up at the sparkling clean, less expensive, Tourist Hotel (see above).
Address: Bab Antakia, Aleppo
Phone: 963 21 3323344 or 963 21 2114696