Baron Hotel, hotel in Aleppo, Syria
The Baron Hotel is a three-story building with around 17 rooms and a restaurant located in central Aleppo in the Aziziyeh district. Construction happened in stages: the ground floor was completed in 1909, the second floor in 1911, and the third in 1940, with the hotel originally surrounded by gardens and positioned outside the old city walls.
The hotel was founded by brothers Onnig and Armenak Mazloumian, who wanted to create the first modern lodging for European travelers in the region after hearing complaints about uncomfortable traditional caravanserais. During World War II and French rule it served as a meeting place for diplomats, spies, and businessmen before having to close in 2014 due to the civil war.
The hotel takes its name from the street it sits on, renamed in 1946 after Syria's independence. The family who ran it became known for making guests feel at home, with many visitors returning over the years and building close relationships with the staff.
The hotel is located in downtown Aleppo on Baron Street near the National Museum, making it easily reachable on foot. Visitors should note that the building currently does not accommodate regular guests and has been damaged by the conflict, so access may be limited.
An unpaid bill from Lawrence of Arabia for his stay in room 202 was kept framed behind glass, making it an unusual piece of hotel history. The building also has literary connections, as author Agatha Christie wrote part of her work in one of its rooms.
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