Hama

The two most popular hotels for backpackers are the Riad and the Cairo. They are found right next to each other on Shoukri al-Quwatli street, near the clocktower, and seem to mop up all the tourist traffic in Hama. Both hotels get good reviews in the guidebooks and from their guests for their good service and clean rooms with nice extras like satellite TV. Rooms cost 20 Euros 1250 SP for an en suite single as of November 2010. The Riad has a nice common salon for travellers to gather in and chat while the Cairo has the perfect terrace to enjoy the view from over a tea or cold drink. Both hotels run sightseeing tours and seem to contract them out to the same people - although this traveller found the owner of the Riad much more friendly and able to customise tours than that of the Cairo. A tour in the 1952 Pontiac is well worth the money UD$26 for a whole day - Nov '06

In March 2007, a girl disappeared while staying at the Cairo Hotel. She has still not been found.