The incredibly stylish boutique hotel we’re introducing today: Shiraz Traditional Hotel
Shiraz, known as the center of Persian literature, is the city where Persian poets Hafez and Saadi rest, and it captivates photography enthusiasts worldwide with the beauty of its colorful “Pink Mosque.” If you’re visiting Shiraz, there’s a place you absolutely must stay: the “Shiraz Traditional Hotel” (also known as Rashedi Historic House).
In this travel report, I’ll share my stay experience at this stylish Persian boutique hotel, divided into two parts.
Choose Boutique Hotels When Staying in Iran
While Iran has modern international chain hotels, if you want to experience the true charm of this country, locally-run boutique hotels are said to be the right choice. By staying in historic buildings converted into hotels rather than luxury hotels, you can become a “cultural participant” rather than just a tourist.
Among hotel options in Shiraz, “Shiraz Traditional Hotel” stood head and shoulders above the rest. With high ratings on hotel review sites and photos that immediately caught my attention, I decided “this is the one!”
Perfect Location in the Heart of Shiraz Old Town
Located right in the heart of the charming old town
One of the greatest attractions of “Shiraz Traditional Hotel” is its location. Positioned in the center of Shiraz’s old town, it offers an ideal location where most major tourist attractions are within walking distance. It’s particularly convenient being just a 5-minute walk from the world-famous Nasir al-Mulk Mosque (commonly known as the Pink Mosque).
Shiraz’s top tourist attraction: the Pink Mosque
This proximity was incredibly convenient for visiting the Pink Mosque early in the morning (around 8-9 AM), when the morning sunlight creates the most beautiful effects. Additionally, all of Shiraz’s major spots including Vakil Bazaar, Vakil Mosque, and Shah Cheragh Shrine are within a 15-minute walk. The subway station is also nearby, making city transportation easy.
The hotel is located down a small alley, making it inconspicuous from the main street. However, this is actually an advantage, ensuring a quiet environment one step away from tourist-crowded areas. For those wanting to spend peaceful evenings, this hidden location is a welcome feature.
Staying in a 250-Year-Old Cultural Heritage
This hotel isn’t just accommodation; it’s also known as “Rashedi Historic House,” a cultural heritage site. This building amazingly has 250 years of history and is registered as an Iranian National Cultural Heritage site. Being able to stay in such a precious building for the bargain price of 30-50 euros per night offers exceptional value.
In many countries, buildings of this caliber would be designated as important cultural properties, and opportunities to stay in them at such reasonable prices are rare. Staying in a historic building becomes a cultural experience beyond simply securing a place to sleep.
Enjoying the Beauty of Persian Architecture
The hotel features the traditional Persian architectural characteristic of being “built around a courtyard.” This building, which retains the strong influence of Qajar-era architectural style, has guest rooms arranged in a U-shape around a central courtyard with a beautiful stone pool.
During rose season, petals float in the pool
The three-story structure consists of basement, ground floor, and first floor, with each floor offering rooms with different characteristics. The pricing system varies according to room type and floor, ranging from 30 to 50 euros. I personally recommend the “VIP Double Room” on the first floor (in Iran, the first floor is above the ground floor, equivalent to the second floor in many countries). The additional cost is well worth it.
The VIP Double Room we stayed in
The courtyard features a “takht,” a traditional Persian raised platform. This serves as both a relaxation space and a place to enjoy breakfast and tea. The style of placing cushions on this wooden platform and sitting cross-legged with shoes removed has a familiar feeling reminiscent of Japanese veranda culture.
Breakfast is enjoyed sitting cross-legged on the takht
The garden also has several orange trees that symbolize Iran. When I visited in February, the trees were bearing fruit, and during breakfast, the owner kindly gave me an orange that had just fallen from the tree as a companion for my drive. I took this orange with me to visit Persepolis, and its characteristic Iranian tartness was refreshingly perfect for eating during breaks in the hot weather sightseeing.
Winter is orange season. A hotel that shows different scenery each season should perfectly match the sensibilities of those who appreciate the four seasons.
Rooftop Terrace Overlooking the Old Town
Another attraction is the view from the rooftop. The rooftop terrace is open as an observation floor, offering panoramic views of Shiraz’s old town. Particularly impressive is the blue dome of the nearby Imamzadeh Sayed Aladin Hossein Shrine. This dome, decorated with characteristic Islamic blue tiles, emits a mystical glow when illuminated by morning or evening light.
Every morning, I made it my routine to drink tea on the rooftop while gazing at the gradually brightening city.
Eye level perfectly aligned with the mosque dome
Hotel Layout and Pricing Structure
The guest rooms at “Shiraz Traditional Hotel” are categorized as follows:
- Single Room (1st Floor) – €30 per night
- Eastern Double Room (Basement Floor) – €35 per night
- Western Double Room (Basement Floor) – €35 per night
- Twin Room (Ground Floor) – €40 per night
- Double Room (Ground Floor) – €40 per night
- Double Room (1st Floor) – €45 per night
- VIP Double Room (1st Floor) – €50 per night
- Triple Room (Ground Floor) – €50 per night
Considering Iran’s low cost of living, these rates are very reasonable. I decided to splurge on the top-tier “VIP Double Room,” which turned out to be an excellent choice. Even though it’s called VIP, at about $55 per night, it’s much cheaper than business hotels in many countries. If you can stay in the most beautiful room in a historic building, it’s better not to compromise.
Conclusion: Perfect for Photography Enthusiasts and Deep Travelers
“Shiraz Traditional Hotel” should be the perfect choice for both photography enthusiasts and travelers who want to deeply experience Iranian culture. It’s a rare accommodation facility where you can simultaneously enjoy photogenic beautiful spaces and authentic cultural experiences in a building with 250 years of history.
In the next part of this series, I’ll share detailed information about the “VIP Double Room” I stayed in, the room’s specific details, and the convenient services the hotel provides.
~ To be continued in Part 2 ~
