Abbasi Hotel

32°39′5″N 51°40′14″E

Abbasi Hotel هتل عباسی
General information
Location	Isfahan, Iran
Address	Amadegah St. Chaharbagh Ave., Isfahan, Iran
Other information
Number of rooms	186
Number of suites	27
Number of restaurants	9
Website
http://www.abbasihotel.ir/

The Abbasi Hotel (Persian: هتل عباسی, formerly known as the "Shah Abbas Hotel", Persian: هتل شاه عباس) (called before 1957, Madar-e-Shah Caravanserai lit: King's mother Caravanserai) is a hotel located in Isfahan, Iran.

The whole complex was built at the time of king Sultan Husayn of Safavid to provide lodging for travelers. The hotel is placed exactly beside the Chaharbagh School.

Upon the suggestion of French André Godard (1881–1965), an archaeologist, architect, and historian of French and Middle Eastern Art.,^[1] the Cultural Heritage Organization of Isfahan and insurance company by Civil Engineer A.Mohit decided to proceed with the renovation of the caravansary.

The 1974 film And Then There Were None, starring Oliver Reed and Elke Sommer, was shot here.

Layout

Abbasi Hotel is the largest museum-hotel in the world. Many tourists choose to stay at this hotel due to the experience of being in a historic setting. The hotel consists of several three-story buildings and has a total of 225 rooms, with about 500 beds. Abbasi Hotel offers a variety of rooms, including standard rooms, rooms with a view, garden rooms, garden suite rooms, Qajar suites, and Safavid suites. These rooms and suites vary in terms of amenities and pricing.^[2]

History

In 1716, the Abbasi Hotel was built under the orders of Soltan Hoseyn and was initially used as a caravanserai. Sultan Hossein gifted this caravanserai to his mother, which is why it was historically known as "The Caravanserai of the Shah's Mother." Before its restoration and renovation, the space was used as a stopping point for trucks carrying sugar and molasses. The building was leased to the Sugar and Molasses Department for a monthly rent of 30 rials.^[2]

Restoration planning began in 1957 by the Iran Insurance Company, with renovations commencing in summer 1958 under the supervision of French architect André Godard. In the mid-1960s, Mehdi Ebrahimian led the interior design phase, overseeing more than 150 artisans who worked to preserve traditional Persian motifs throughout the hotel. The restoration included converting old chambers into guest rooms, designing courtyards and pavilions in harmony with Safavid aesthetics, and reviving the central garden. Initially reopened as the “King Abbas Guest House,” the site was later renamed Abbasi Hotel and gradually transformed into a full-service heritage hotel by the late 1960s.^[3]

In 1966, the Abbasi Guesthouse was converted into a hotel, but care was taken to preserve its ancient appearance. Due to the building's historical significance, managing the Abbasi Hotel was a very delicate task, and the management was entrusted to the Negresco Hotel Group, which was one of the largest hotel chains in the world at the time. After two years, Iranian individuals took over the management.^[2]

In 1972, Iran Insurance Company purchased a plot of land with an area of 11,500 square meters on the eastern side of the hotel for the expansion of the Abbasi Hotel. Following this, a number of Iranian architects, led by Engineer Ebrahimiān, began designing the new sections of the hotel in the traditional Iranian architectural style. On the eastern side of the hotel, 80 new rooms, a restaurant, a large amphitheater, and many other facilities were constructed.^[2]

To this day, Abbasi Hotel continues to serve travelers and tourists. The hotel boasts numerous rooms and amenities, which will be explored further below.^[2]

Accommodation

The hotel offers free accommodation for children under five years old, and a half-price rate for children under ten years old. To cancel a reservation at Abbasi Hotel, the room must be canceled at least five days before the selected date; otherwise, no refund will be provided.^[2]

Abbasi Hotel is the largest hotel in Isfahan and Iran. The hotel building includes various facilities such as restaurants, cafes, a swimming pool, green spaces, an amphitheater, a rooftop restaurant, an internet café, a shopping center, and more. Other amenities available at the hotel include a fitness center, a traditional teahouse, taxi service, a lobby, medical services, an ATM, a massage room, and much more. These features make Abbasi Hotel not only a place to stay but also a destination where guests can enjoy a variety of services and activities during their visit.^[2]

Restaurants

The Sofreh Khaneh (Traditional Dining Hall) of Abbasi Hotel is located on the first floor and has a capacity of 60 people. In this restaurant, a variety of traditional Iranian dishes are served, offering guests a chance to experience authentic local flavors. The Chaharston Restaurant at Abbasi Hotel consists of two halls with a total capacity of 400 people. Guests can enjoy a wide range of Iranian, international, and seafood dishes at the Chaharston restaurant, providing a diverse and rich dining experience for all tastes.^[2]

Inside one of the hotel's rooms

The caravanserai as in 1840

The Abassi Hotel as of 2010