Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Trip Report Just back from 18 days in Iran ... here are some photos

I thought I would finish this up with comments about the hotels we used, for anyone searching for Iran hotel information in the future.

In Tehran we stayed at Laleh Hotel, which used to be part of the Inter-Continental chain in a previous life. Great location just north of Laleh Park, great views of the mountains from our room, comfortable rooms, clean and well-maintained, well supplied with amenities, good and inexpensive internet access. Here's a photo of the Alborz mountains from our room: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p54726033.html We came through Tehran several times and had three separate stays here.

In Isphahan, Abbasi Hotel, built in a 17th-century caravanserai. Beautiful! The central courtyard which contains gardens, pools, fountains and canals, with water continuously bubbling and sprinkling and spraying, is lovely and an enjoyable place to relax and socialize in the evenings. The rooms were clean, quiet and comfortable, well supplied with all the amenities, but the decor was ordinary, nothing like the beautiful public areas of the hotel There is a madrasa/mosque adjacent to the hotel. Here are a couple of photos of the hotel at night: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p54725983.html & http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p54725982.html Here's a photo of the madrasa's dome & minarets, attached to the hotel. Good internet access here also. And good location for walking to Royal Square and other sights.

In Shiraz, the Homa Hotel - tall, 70s-style hotel, not in a bad sense but just the gleaming marble floors, chandeliers, grand piano in the reception and lounge areas give that impression. Nice rooms, clean and comfortable. Good views from our room and spectacular views from the roof-top terrace. Several restaurants/places to eat, including one on the roof with a nice buffet service. Other restaurants within walking distance, including one where we had very good pizza. Good and inexpensive internet access.

In Yazd, Mehr Traditional Hotel - beautifully restored 250-year-old home converted to a lovely hotel set around a courtyard. Walking into our room the first night, we gasped in pleasure because the lighting was so beautiful: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p54727240.html Just stunning. Large, comfortable rooms with somewhat soft beds. Beautiful courtyard where food available, and good food, great breakfasts. Here's a photo of the pool in the center of the courtyard after dark: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p54727241.html One computer available for connecting to the internet. There was supposed to be a charge, but they never did charge us. Staff very helpful and accommodating. Good location, easy walking distance to the center and sights.

Abyaneh, Abyaneh Hotel - Very comfortable, large room, clean, good beds, beautiful panoramic views. Because of the location, surrounded by mountains, and the comfy-but-rustic nature of the hotel, it had the feel of a small lodge. This is the only hotel in this small, beautiful, mountain village. Here's a photo of the village: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p54727192.html and another one: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p54727198.html And here is a photo of the public lounge area of the hotel: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p55238138.html Good food in the dining room, the only restaurant in town. No internet access.

Qazvin, Marmar Hotel - Comfortable but small rooms with very soft, some might say sagging, beds. On a busy road through town, a little way outside of the center. I wouldn't recommend it highly, without a doubt the least impressive hotel of the entire trip, but certainly satisfactory for one night stop on the way north. No internet access while we were there, but available at times we were told.

Zanjan, Bozorg-e Hotel - New-ish, international-style hotel on the outskirts of town. Beautiful large, clean rooms, with the best bathroom of the entire trip, all impeccably clean.

Kandovan, Kandovan Sakhrehyee Laleh Hotel - Ten rooms carved out of 'fairy chimney' (like in Turkey) rocks and caves meander up a steep hillside. They are warm (with heating in the floors), stylish, luxurious, comfortable and the bathrooms are beautiful. We had a sitting room with built-in settee, television, etc. and window looking out to the mountains. Here's a photo: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p55238303.html The restaurant/dining room was very pleasant and the food was very good. Breakfast was wonderful