LHR to DAM
08:35 arrival at London Heathrow terminal 3
LHR website:
http://www.heathrowairport.com/
LHR to DAM
flight number: BD943 (British Midlands)
London Heathrow to Damascus International
departure time: 16:05; departure terminal 1
arrival time: 23:15
total travel time: 5:10
airliner: Airbus A320
Damascus O/N
Two websites for our hotel in Damascus - the Beir Zaman Hotel = which is in the old city on the Street called Straight near both the Touma and Sharky gates
http://www.beit-zaman.com/
http://www.meatravel.com/HotelsSyria/BeitZaman.htm
"With pride and pleasure we present to you Beit Zaman Hotel"
Beit Zaman Hotel is located in famous "Old Damascus" - the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. The hotel is at a crossroads between the "Straight Street" called "Via Recta" and Bab Touma street. In a sense, Syria is the cradle of Christianity and this location in the city witnessed where St. Paul, the Apostle, met St. Hanania, and from here to take from him the principles of Christianity to spread them all over the world. This location also witnessed as well the glory of the Islamic civilization during the Umayyad Period.
Once you step into the Beit Zaman Hotel you will be mesmerized by the 300 year old fountains & granite tiles in the courtyards, the carved stone colored niches & the wooden doors which reflect the culture of old Damascus. Beit Zaman is a boutique hotel. It is an ideal place to escape daily tensions, to enjoy a romantic vacation or to host a professional conference. Your stay in Beit Zaman Hotel will enrich your memories of the old town. From the hotel, shopping for traditional handmade souvenirs is easy; and it is near historical and religious sites.
The Beit Zaman Hotel has 28 rooms and suites dispersed across two floors.
FACILITIES:
Damascso Room - where you can savor the oriental & occidental food of our breakfast buffet. Damasco Room is equipped for business meetings & seminars (up to 25 persons).
Jillak Tea Room - a place to meet and relax under "Ajami Style" wooden ceiling.
Al Dardasha Café - the hotel side walk cafeteria where you can have a hubble-bubble and a delicious beverage.
Hammam Zaman - a traditional steam bath where you can indulge yourself with a massage, skin scrub, body treatment to rejuvenate your body.
Al Areesha Terrace - a nice gathering in summer time, overlooking old Damascus.
Abou Nawas Bar - offers a variety of drinks & cocktails in a delightful cozy atmosphere.
Trip Advisor reviews for the Beit Zaman Hotel, Damascus
1. “Superb location, beautiful house”
Pascal911 - Amman, Jordan
Feb 27, 2009
A family with a toddler, we spent a few days in Beit Zaman and will certainly come back. Besides being a beautifully decorated hotel with very charming rooms (we had a superior room) the location of the hotel is superb. Just next to Bab Shaki (not far from Bab Tuma) it is in close walking distance from the old souk and the Umaiad Mosque. Also very nearby is what I would consider one of the best restaurants I know in the middle east: Naranj Restaurant. The hotel itself has just a little coffee that serves some snacks - never mind since there is plenty of restaurants around.Located in an old traditional Damascus town-house, the hotel is quite expensive with a room rate for the superior close to USD 200 (all in). While the room wasn't too big, it was very nicely decorated and the small bathroom was very modern. It is quiet and we enjoyed the inner courtyard a lot. The breakfast is served in a very beautiful and bright room. However, the buffet is a bit basic and one could expect something more for the price - but than in Damascus one should anyway have the real breakfast in the street and take some good coffee while walking the old city.All in all a very good package in a charming neighborhood (in the evening, try the small bar just next to the hotel - it's quite unique).
2. “Just a really, really great hotel”
worlddiscoverer , Singapore
Feb 3, 2009
I chose the Beit Zaman Hotel based on reviews on this site. I am really glad I did because it is a beautiful hotel, one of those rare hotels that you fall in love with. The quality of the renovations to this collection of old houses turned hotel is superb. The decor and furnishings are superb. The bed in my room was very comfortable. I especially like the bathroom with its towel warmers and gigantic shower that has good, strong water pressure. And it came stocked with all sorts of good quality toiletries. Hardware aside, the staff of the Beit Zaman are what made the stay so enjoyable. They are very warm and welcoming, and it helps that they are also extremely also good at their jobs. During my stay I fell ill and they quickly arranged for a doctor to make a house call. For the next couple of days I was well looked after by everyone on the staff, who kept on popping in with cups of tea, or just to check how I was doing. The F&B manager even arranged for special "doctors orders" meals to be cooked and served in my room. I wasn't especially happy to be sick, but it was comforting to know that everyone was concerned and to be fussed over the way I was. The hotel has a small hammam in the basement, which is well worth the cost. And the guy in the coffee shop makes amazing cappuccinos. All in all this is a hotel that I'd love to stay in again.
3. “Noisy”
DonPellegrino , Istanbul
Jan 24, 2009
We made a visit to Damascus with a group of friends and we rented 4 rooms for 3 days.
The location of the hotel is very good. The staff and the overall quality is also fine. We enjoyed the breakfast as well. But the hotel was too much noisy. If you can sleep in noisy environments it is perfect. The rooms on the street side are noisy because of the cars, horns on the street. The room on the courtyard are noisy because of the service room is nearby and the staff is entering the room continuously for 24 hours. I change once a room and my second room was awful; just above my room there was a water pressure tank which was active whoever opens a tap. If you can select a room, that is far away these noises enjoy it. (There are 28 rooms) Room 102 was fine, 213 was also fine but a little bit small. 103 with water pressure tank on top. 104 with service room beside. 212 a beautiful room with a lot of noises from the street.
Liked — Staff
Disliked — Noise of the hotel
4. “A taste of Old Damascus”
Menlodoc , Ireland
Jan 20, 2009
We absolutely loved this hotel. we arrived after midnight as flight was delayed but this presented no problem for our hotel pick-up. We received a most warm welcome. The hotel design and layout is charming. It is ideally located for exploration of the souks, the Ommayed Mosque, St. Paul sites. The little streets and alleyways in the area give a real sense of having changed little in centuries. The hammam is a wonderful on site experience. The courtyards with their orange and lemon trees invite you to linger. Our favourite restaurant nearby was beside the roman arch and Orthodox church Al ’Aranj.(one of the Gemini group). Ambience, food wonderful. Staff at hotel incredibly hospitable. We returned for a night before leaving Syria and were not disappointed second time round.
Liked — Beautifully restored old damascene houses, location and helpful staff
Disliked — nil
5. "Authentic Damascene Hotel”
Zynobia , Dubai
Jan 11, 2009
It's excellent location on Straight Street together with the authentic interior and the typical Syrian warmth of the staff make Beit Zaman the perfect hotel when looking for the real experience. The hotel consists of 4 Damascene old houses that were converted into a lovely and charming hotel with individual rooms and modern technical equipment. The minor service issues will surely be solved with time since the hotel only opened 7 months ago.
Liked — location and authenticity
Disliked — rooms to the street can be a little loud
6. “Great hotel”
Englefields , UAE
Dec 11, 2008
Beit Zaman is a beautifully restored old Damascene house. It is a peaceful refuge in the heart of the Old City. The location on Straight Street is great for ease of finding the hotel, but, like the whole of the Old City, it is noisy at night, particularly with car horns. We had beautiful rooms overlooking the street, with a balcony, but courtyard facing rooms would undoubtedly have been more peaceful. Helpful and friendly staff, comfortable beds, delicious breakfast (no hot food at breakfast). The hotel arranged a taxi from the airport. Cheaper to pick up your own taxi when leaving.
Liked — Beautiful traditional building and furniture
Disliked — Noisy at night
7. “Wonderful”
WWWorker , Vilnius
Nov 30, 2008
Having arrived in Damascus to find our hotel had given away our room (!) we happened to contact Beit Zaman who had a room available at the last minute - and how fortunate! We had an excellent weekend. The staff are friendly and very helpful, the hotel itself is beautiful, oozing character. Located on Straight Street not far from the Roman Arch is is very central although also very quiet. We would thoroughly reccommend the Beit Zaman - despite their slightly unnecessary charging for bottled water..
Liked — Ambiance
Disliked — Charging for drinking water & over heated rooms
8. “The real Damascene experience, the unforgettable Damascene memory...”
Mik2004 , London
Aug 21, 2008
This hotel is renovated as it was 300 years ago with the comfort of 2008 and the 5 stars hotels services... Highly recommended!
Liked — The unforgettable memory I carried with me by living like a Damascene...
9. “New Boutique Hotel in Old Damascus”
JohanneandAndi , Bahrain
Aug 10, 2008
We recently had the chance to stay in a new 28- room boutique hotel, just opened on July 1, 2008 in Old Damascus. More than 5 years have been spent restoring three historical houses into a gem of a hotel, complete with two wonderful courtyards and 300- year old fountains. This new hotel features some wonderful Syrian furniture, inlaid with wood and mother of pearl, all of which is museum quality. We stayed in room 111 and 110 (loved the ceramic floor in 110). Our rooms were facing the courtyard -- a plus as some of the street facing rooms can be a bit noisy in the evening. The rooms do vary in size and you may want to see your room before you settle in -- room 213 is rather smallish. But all are decorated with much taste and feature wonderful large shower heads -- some of the rooms do also have a bathtub. The hotel is located on Straight Street (Via Recta), an ideal location to explore Old Damsacus and walk to the Umayyad Mosque and the Souq al-Hamidiyya. However, it is a bit difficult to get to as Straight Street has limited access to cars. However, as you get close down a main perpendicular road, you will have to walk only 100 meters and the staff from the hotel will gladly meet you at your vehicle and help with the luggage. The staff were most helpful in making our stay a comfortable one and making significant efforts as the hotel gets up and running. Definitely a place we would return to!
Liked — The care and quality of the wonderful furniture and impeccable restoration by local craftsmen
Disliked — A bit noisy at night, if room facing Straight Street
