Saturday 5 February 2011

THE CHAM PALACE DAMASCUS

We needed a hotel in the centre. The Cham Palace was very conveniently located. It has a huge reception, decorated in a style that goes over the limit of what you would understand as Arabic decoration... but it is nice.

Check-in was complicated… very slow and as in many Arabic countries, staff extremely rude and not helpful at all. When asked a question, they pull one of those faces as if you were disturbing their tranquility…

I got a room on the 5th floor, 507, which was… a total let down. The room was small. The bed was against the wall. TV was flat... but it was the only thing that was new in the room. It was extremely sad looking. Even the lighting was really bad.

Internet was expensive, slow and also, complicated to get. Fortunately, it could be charged to the room.

The bathroom had a bath and toilet, as well as sink. Toiletries were available too. The hand towels were really thin, so got easily wet…

Buffet breakfast was very reduced for a 5-star hotel and really, poor quality. Even the fruit was out of a tin. Coffee… horrendous. Some Arabic food which you either liked or not… Good Yogurt.

Checking out was also a bit slow.

In this hotel, you get a big wow! at reception, but the rooms and services, are not really those of a 5 star hotel. I think it has one-too-many starts.