Editor Pick
Amir Kabir Hostel
- September 16, 2007
- Rated 2 of 5 by
baroudeur2004 from Liege, Belgium
This is an impersonal guesthouse managed by two brothers. Although the Lonely Planet guidebook recommends it, I found its recommendation to be somewhat exaggerated. Maybe its popularity among backpackers lead the managers to 'rest on their laurels'. When I went there in July 2004, service was reduced to the minimum and the hostel was almost full.
The hostel is popular among backpackers because it is central, near the Imam Khomeiny Square and Esfahan can be visited by foot from this hostel. Also, it is a good place to exchange information with other travellers. There is a small library with books left by tourists and an information board on the ground floor near the stairs.
However, I found it to be overpriced for the services it provides (I paid 90.000 IR (9 euros) for a double room in 2004). The en-suite rooms (with A/C and cold showers) are clean but small and lack charm like most cheap hostels in Iran. Also, there are no covers on the bed, only bedsheets to cover the mattress.
It has a backyard which is quite noisy because at night several Iranian families sit in it and chat. Some rooms on the upper floor are cheaper but do not have windows. Laundry is possible. There is also a small Internet room in the hostel and sending e-mails is free. But there is no restaurant. The managers will recommend you a small restaurant near their hostel, managed by one friend, but I would not recommend it.
Negotiate the prices and visit several rooms before you book in. Also it is a good idea to ask the other hostel residents the price they paid for before negotiating.
Personally, I would try another place to stay in Esfahan and there are numerous cheaper hotels in the same condition nearby.
From journal Iran: The Wonders of Persia
Amir Kabir
- July 27, 2000
- Rated 4 of 5 by
walkman from Bratislava, Slovakia
Most famous budget travellers' hotel in Esfahan. You'll find here and in hotels around it many foreigners and travellers. Price was 15.000 IRR in the summer 1999. It's less than 2 USD. It has a nice terrace where you can read all the guest books and find useful information there.
From journal Esfahan - piece of Europe in Iran