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 separate review), we arrived at the Tourist Hotel around noon without reservations and asked Leslie (who speaks English) if we might see a room. She hesitated, "the room is not ready". We told her we understood it was too early to check in, but we just wanted to see a room and if it 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.
We admit there is no art on the walls, its name doesn’t cause excitement and the common guest areas lack charm but we didn’t come to Aleppo to lock ourselves away in a hotel ... what we require is cleanliness, comfortable sleep, good value and location ... the Tourist Hotel was the right choice for us. The only downside we could find is that they did not have wifi ... at least you know up-front instead of being told "it is not working today".
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 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. 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.
“Travel Tales Images of Syria - Aleppo: Old City” is a video which features the Tourist Hotel and surrounding area.