Safir Hotel Isfahan

Set in the centre of Isfahan, Safir Hotel opened in 1992 and has operated from the same city-centre address since. The building holds 100 rooms and suites, from single rooms to a two-bedroom apartment and a one-bedroom suite for two, each with central air conditioning, satellite TV, Wi-Fi and a safety box. A glass dome over the lobby is the clearest architectural mark of the place, throwing light down into the reception area below. Downstairs, a pool, sauna and traditional Iranian bath sit alongside a conference hall used for meetings and larger gatherings. The Diplomat Hall, one of the hotel's function rooms, stands 4 metres high and seats up to 200, laid out for anything from lectures to weddings. The restaurant runs a buffet breakfast each morning and serves Persian and international dishes at lunch and dinner, while the lobby coffee shop stays open through the day for snacks, cakes, and hot and cold drinks. Rooms come with minibar, hairdryer and 24-hour service on call. Staff handle laundry, airport transfers, translation and taxi bookings, useful for guests moving between the hotel and the city's sights. It is a straightforward, well-equipped base. The location, in the middle of Isfahan, keeps guests close to the city rather than at its edge, with parking on site for anyone arriving by car.