An explosion at Kabul airport led to U.S. and civilian casualties and tragic loss of lives. There was another explosion close to the nearby Baron Hotel which is currently advertising “safe, secure housing” for guests.
Baron promises safest boarding for any tourists, travellers, officials or employees, in Kabul, Afghanistan. Stay and see beautiful places in Kabul, Afghanistan with Baron Hotels
THE BARON launch is also one of the most prestigious secured lodging projects in Kabul, Afghanistan. It is located less than 1 mile from Kabul International Airport & is an immediate neighbour of ISAF, which puts THE BARON within the buffer zone of security for both of these landmarks.
The Baron may not be as secure as advertised, but the Intercontinental Kabul is promoting in social media that they’re open to guests – not just for lodging but for all of your catering and banquet needs. The Intercontinental was the location of a 12 hour battle in 2018 where foreigners escaped by tying bedsheets together in order to climb out windows.
The Intercontinental of course hasn’t been part of that chain since the Soviet invasion over 40 years ago, though it continues to use the name. They don’t offer IHG Rewards points or honor free Royal Ambassador minibar privileges.
This arrangement is somewhat like the former Sheratons in Baghdad and Basra which continued to operate under the Sheraton name even without an affiliation after U.S. sanctions were imposed.
The Baghdad Sheraton opened in 1982 as the Ishtar Sheraton Hotel & Casino. Management contracts were severed with the first Gulf war. It was renovated in 2011, and in 2013 became the Cristal Grand Ishtar Hotel. The Basrah property opened in 1981 as Basrah Sheraton Hotel & Casino. It was bombed in 2003 and became Basra International Hotel in 2010.
In 2004 ground broke on a property that was supposed to become the Hyatt Regency Kabul. Many projects in the region change hands, of course, for instance the Ninawa International Hotel was taken over by ISIS for its own conferences (though early in the pandemic ISIS froze non-essential business travel).
(HT: @dennislennox)
The Sheraton Hotel in Damascus, Syria appears to still be operational, albeit not under the Marriott flag despite branding itself as a Sheraton. https://www.facebook.com/Sheraton-Damascus-Hotel-144701505595602/
Interestingly, the Sheraton Damascus is owned by Syrian Ministry of Tourism, according to its website. But it claims the hotel is managed by “Sheraton Overseas Management Corp.”
This appears to be some sort of shell company that may, in fact, be connected to Marriott International even if the Sheraton Damascus is no longer part of Marriott International. I found a “Sheraton Overseas Management Corp.” registered in both Bermuda and Delaware.
It wouldn’t be the first time Marriott has had hotels in sanctioned countries. It has operated hotels in Cuba and still maintains properties in Venezuela.
And, one won’t get a suite upgrade in Damascus either.
Since the Intercontinental in Kabul cannot be booked with IHG points, I think I’m gonna pass on vacationing in Afghanistan.
Reminds me of the trip Matthew Klint took to Kabul in 2013.
For pleasure even!!??
Checking into his hotel was like trying to access a maximum security prison…..
The perfect hotel & event space if you are planning a bombmitzvah.