Sheraton Aleppo
The best hotels around the Gulf Air network reviewed each month
WHERE IS IT? The hotel’s central location in the downtown Bab Al-Faraj area in the heart of Aleppo is unbeatable: the medieval souqs, citadel and Great Mosque are a mere 10-minute wander from the property, while AlJdeida, a historic neighbourhood of sandstone buildings and skinny alleys crammed with restaurants, jewellery stores and antique shops, is just across the road.
WHO STAYS THERE? Expect to bump into pretty much anyone over the breakfast buffet, from corporate travellers to visiting football teams in town for a big game to European tour groups looking for a bit of comfort and convenience. There are good meeting rooms equipped with A/V equipment, as well as a big ballroom and a large courtyard patio used for everything from fashion shows to expos.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS Aleppo is the gastronomic capital of Syria, if not the Middle East, with a dozen or so excellent restaurants specializing in Aleppine and Syrian cuisine in Al-Jdeida. The Sheraton doesn’t even attempt to compete with these. Instead it offers an array of alternatives for those who need a break from Arabic cuisine, including Ikebana, a Japanese-cumpan-Asian eatery; Leonardo’s, a respectable Italian restaurant; and Silk Road, which offers Mediterranean cuisine after the breakfast buffet is put away. There’s also an English pub, swimming pool café-bar, and a coffee shop with pastry counter located in the shiny lobby.
ROOM FACILITIES The hotel has 199 rooms and suites over five floors. All rooms have city or courtyard views but no balconies. Most of the amenities you’d expect from a Sheraton are present, including the famously comfortable Sheraton Sweet SleeperSM bed, satellite television, laptop-sized safe, mini-bar and wireless internet (although it’s expensive at US$10 an hour or $22 a day).
POOL AND SPA There’s an inviting swimming pool on an attractive terrace on the second floor that’s a life-saver after exploring the city on a scorching summer’s day – although the onlookers relaxing at the café overlooking the pool might make some female guests uncomfortable. The health club has gym equipment, Turkish bath and Jacuzzi.
PRICES Standard “Classic” rooms are $240 including breakfast. For business travellers, Club Floor rooms are better value at $260, including access to the Club Lounge, which offers complimentary office facilities and afternoon hors d’oeuvres and drinks, among other extras.
VERDICT It may be dripping with chandeliers and dotted with the occasional piece of antique furniture, but this big, plush, marble-laden five-star can’t possibly match the charm and character of Al-Jdeida’s historic boutique hotels. It fills a niche with the modern conveniences, comforts, space, services and amenities that you expect of a Sheraton, however – and the icing on the cake is a superb location slap-bang in the centre of the city.
SHERATON ALEPPO Al-Khandaq Street, Aleppo, Syria, +963 (0)21 212 1111, www.starwoodhotels.com |
Club Floor rooms offer access to the Club Lounge, with its complimentary extras
Asian eatery Ikibana offers an alternative to Arab cuisine |
