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Iran's Abbasi Is Middle East's Most Beautiful Hotel: CNN
IFP Editorial Staff
In a recent report, the CNN has described the historical Abbasi Hotel in central Iranian city of Isfahan as "a place like no other" and the most beautiful hotel in the Middle East.
Here is CNN's account of Abbasi Hotel and its 'unique' beauty:
Flick through almost any travel magazine these days and you're bound to come across an article hailing Iran as the next big destination.
Prompting the spike in interest in the Islamic Republic is recent geopolitical wrangling in the shape of a nuclear deal with world powers that has ended some longstanding sanctions.
But while the country is trying to modernize its tourism industry in the face of increasing visitor numbers — 5.2 million came in 2016 and more are expected in 2017 — its more traditional offerings still have the potential to charm.
None more so than the Abbasi Hotel, an opulent if careworn establishment located in the ancient city of Isfahan.
It's a place like no other.
Isfahan has its fair share of historical wonders (some which are UNESCO World Heritage sites), but in many ways the Abbasi has become a tourist attraction in its own right.
Built around 300 years ago, under the Safavid dynasty reign of Shah Sultan Hossein, it was originally used as a pit stop for merchants traveling the ancient Silk Road.
The Abbasi's Qatar and Safarvid suites (pictured here) are its most atmospheric rooms.
Uniquely and Beautifully Persian
The complex provided shelter not only for traders but also for the camels and horses they used to help transport their goods.
The years, decades and centuries that followed took their toll on the old caravanserai (during the early 1900s it was used as a military complex) and it started to fall into disrepair.
In the 1950s French archaeologist André Godard, working in Iran at the time, took it upon himself to fight for its restoration.
Soon after that, the Abbasi became what it is today: a 4-star hotel drenched in an ancient past.
The Abbasi may not have an abundance of modern amenities. There are no state-of-the-art gym or in-room cappuccino machines (although it does have great Wi-Fi), but that adds to its charm.
In a globalised and franchise-dominated world, the Abbasi is unique.
This hotel is all about atmosphere. Moreover, it's uniquely Persian.
Even the Abbasi's ceilings are Instagram-worthy.
"I'd highly encourage anyone traveling to Iran to stay here as it's an experience of a lifetime," says general manager Jamal Zandi.
He's not really exaggerating.
Hallways are lined with authentic miniature paintings, the ceiling of the lobby is finely detailed and the dining areas adorned with beautiful mirror work, glittering chandeliers, and exquisite colourful wall motifs often associated with romantic notions of "the orient."
An array of emerald greens, jasmine blues and deep golds inevitably make visitors reach for their cameras as soon as they walk in.
The Abassi was once a stop for Silk Road traders.
The hotel has around 225 rooms, including 23 suites, and is divided between the hotel's old wing and new wing.
Built in the 1970s, the rooms in the new wing are rather characterless — it seems that the re-creation of the hotel's original look and feel was not a priority at the time of construction and the rooms are bland in colour and nondescript.
Guests who get to stay in the old wing, especially the Qajar and Safavid suites, are in for a treat. These rooms have been superbly restored and are decorated in an elegant traditional style without being overloaded.
At about $350 a night, they're relatively pricey.
Abbasi Hotel has six restaurants — including a coffee shop, traditional teahouse and breakfast hall.
What really makes the Abbasi particularly special is its open-air courtyard.
It's a large, beautiful, well-maintained Persian garden, complete with little fountains, brook-lined avenues, bright flower beds and quince-laden trees.
People spend their time drinking tea, reading a book or just hiding away from the hustle and bustle of the city in this oasis.
The courtyard restaurant is famous for an Iranian dish called Ash-e Reshteh, a thick type of noodle soup filled with all types of beans and herbs.
"Many Iranians think a visit to the Abbasi for its soup is an essential part of coming to Isfahan," says Arian Aghamardi, a frequent guest at the hotel. "Nothing better to warm you up on a cold day."
It was winter when CNN visited, yet the garden was still green and beautiful. It can only be more spectacular in the spring.
Times are clearly changing in Iran and new hotels are appearing on the scene.
Old wing: The hotel now houses more than 200 rooms including 23 suites. The newly designed rooms aren't as characterful as the rooms in the old wing, especially the Qajar and Safavid suites.
While the US still has its sanctions in place, a situation unlikely to change under new President Donald Trump, hotel groups headquartered outside America have already started to move in.
The French Accor group became the first in 2016. Others are following, including the UAE's Rotana and Spain's Melia. It's expected that by 2018 Iran will have six different international brands.
But anyone visiting Esfahan and staying elsewhere would be missing out if they didn't at least stop by the Abbasi and take a look around.
It's guaranteed to be one of the best memories of any stay in Iran.
Abassi Hotel-Isfahan
Safavid Suite: Arguably the most stunning room in the hotel, the two-bedroom Safavid Suite was inspired and named after one of the most significant dynasties in Iranian history.
An ancient Silk Road pit stop: The Abbasi Hotel is located in the ancient city of Esfahan. It was built under the reign of Shah Sultan Husayn of the Safavid dynasty and offered a pit stop for merchants traveling the ancient Silk Road. Here is a stitched panorama photo of the hotel lobby.
Aliqapu Hall: With lavish ornaments and delicate engravings, Aliqapu Hall is a venue for ceremonial feasts. Its design was inspired by the music room in Ali Qapu Palace -- also in Isfahan.
Chehelsotoun Restaurant: One of six dining options in Abbasi Hotel, Chehelsotoun is covered with murals in both Safavid and Qajar styles and decorated with chandeliers and lanterns.
Darius's throne: Sitting up to 400 diners, Chehelsotoun's chairs are modeled after a throne depicted in stone carvings in Persepolis, an ancient city and world heritage site in Iran.
An attraction in its own right: Even for non-guests, a visit to the Abbasi Hotel will be a memorable highlight of a trip to Iran.
Other restaurants: In addition to more formal restaurants, the Abbasi Hotel boasts a traditional teahouse, a coffee house and a breakfast hall (pictured here).
Zarrin Hall: The event space, decorated in gold leaves and green paint, is available for seminars, conferences and ceremonial receptions.
The revamp: The centuries-old hotel had started to fall into despair until French archaeologist Andre Godard decided to restore it in the 1950s.
Cheshmandaz Restaurant: The courtyard eatery is famous for an Iranian dish called Ash-e Reshteh, a thick type of noodle soup filled with all types of beans and herbs. "Many Iranians think a visit to the Abbasi for its soup is an essential part of coming to Esfahan," says Arian Aghamardi, a frequent guest at the hotel.
Isfahan Province
Tourist Attractions in Iran
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