Damascus has a surprising number of accommodation options, from beautifully renovated Damascene courtyard houses to high-end tower blocks and cheerful hostels in the souk. Finding a good hotel in Damascus is easy. Finding a bad one is easy too! Tourism was quite well-developed in Syria in the 2000s, and many hotels have miraculously made it through the crisis years without a scratch – but many are in need of renovation and investment, so it's worth doing some research into which one best fits your budget, comfort requirements, and mood.

Hotels often quote their rates and accept payment in US dollars (crisp, undamaged notes from recent years are preferred) but naturally take Syrian pounds too, though you may need a small wheelbarrow to pay for your stay. Euros are often also accepted at the rate of the day; it's good to check in advance what payment methods are accepted. Credit card payments are currently only possible in the most upmarket hotels. Damascus hotels are known to be open to bargaining, so if you have a good proposition for a lower price, perhaps in combination with a longer stay, by all means see if the hotel agrees. 

Traveller numbers in Syria are still very modest, so away from some high-end hotels and luxury old town options that may be booked out by international organisations, it’s often perfectly feasible to arrive without a reservation; you can simply walk around to compare a few places and negotiate a good price. 

Like many other countries in the Middle East, regulations forbid unmarried couples from sharing a hotel room without providing a marriage certificate, but foreigners are usually exempt from this rule. 

Finally, if you’re visiting in winter, keep in mind that heating and insulation are often problematic in budget and some mid-range options – check in advance that the heating and hot water work, or if they have extra blankets at hand.