Syria Today | Oasis of Peace and Luxury

Oasis of Peace and Luxury

Words Fay Ferguson
Photos Manaf Hassan

Tucked away in a quiet side street near the Great Omayyad Mosque, the five-star Old Vine Hotel is one of the most sophisticated and tasteful boutique hotels in the Old City of Damascus. The hotel, which takes its name from a 90-year-old vine in the courtyard, is a haven of peace amidst the bustle of the nearby souqs. At the same time, its central location means that it lies just a stone’s throw from the Old City’s major sites.

The 17th-century Arabic house has been restored with great care using traditional materials. The result is that guests will truly get a taste of life in a traditional Damascene house. With just nine en suite rooms – six doubles, one twin and two singles – the Old Vine also has an intimate atmosphere that is enhanced by the careful attention to details in the décor. In the courtyard, the central fountain is surrounded by plants while the niches feature brass artefacts gathered from all over Syria. The rooms are tastefully decorated with Oriental antiques and old black-and-white photographs of life in Damascus.

Meanwhile the hotel’s colour scheme is inspired by traditional Damascene colours such as rose, lilac, apricot and Arabic jasmine. The pistachio courtyard has a fresh and bright air about it, while each of rooms is designed around a different colour scheme. Thus the Yasmeen room takes its name from Damascus’ sweet-smelling jasmine flowers. Decorated in cream tones, it features an antique four-poster double bed and a beautiful mother-of-pearl wardrobe. Damascus’ lemon trees inspired the name of the Lemon room, which is decorated in lime greens and crimson reds with arabesque and brass furnishings.

Each of the rooms is fitted with all the amenities one expects in a five-star hotel, including TV, satellite, DVD, a digital safe, air conditioning, telephone and wireless Internet. The attentive Old Vine staff are also happy to arrange tours of the Old City and excursions to other sites around the country.

To preserve its calm atmosphere, the hotel only serves breakfast, but guests and visitors are always welcome to come and enjoy the stunning views from the rooftop terrace over a cup of coffee or a cool drink. Indeed, the terrace offers breathtaking views of the Omayyad Mosque, the citadel and Mount Kassioun beyond – there is no better place to admire Damascus’ skyline and soak up the beauty of the Old City.