The Sheraton Damascus is being used as a prison for the country’s business elite where the government extracts payments in exchange for their freedom. This has been an ongoing use for the hotel property for the past two and a half years.
Hotel guests are told they have to “deposit US dollars into the central bank in order to help stabilise the Syrian lira, or they would not be released.”
A prominent businessman told the [Financial Times] that Syrian security forces stopped him in the streets of Damascus last year, before placing him in solitary confinement. He was then told to pay a large sum of money based on his estimated wealth, or remain imprisoned indefinitely.
The report cites several businesspeople and analysts, who said the “mafia-like” seizures often involved legal pretexts, with government-backed accountants sent to businesses to find violations and impose fines. These included currency violations on imports or new tax rules applied retroactively.
The Syrian President’s wife is a former J.P. Morgan Chase banker and head of the presidential economic council, which is driving the seizures as a strategy to stabilize the economy which seems like an odd way to stimulate growth for a country in which 90% of people live in poverty and the nation’s currency is facing hyperinfation.
The Sheraton hotel, while in tremendous need of refurbishment, is one of the few Western-style properties in the capital suitable for housing the nation’s prominent business leaders. While the Le Meridien Damascus was reflagged as the Dedeman in 2009, the Sheraton Damascus has continued to operate under the brand of the Marriott-owned chain without Marriott involvement (although the hotel website continues to insist it is Marriott-managed). One report from 2018 suggests they do not even accept credit cards. However they continue to post to Instagram and to Facebook using Sheraton marks.
International Sheraton properties continuing to use the brand when it’s no longer licensed has a significant recent history. The Sheraton Basra in Iraq was built in 1981. The Western chain severed ties in 1991 with the coming of the Gulf War. Nonetheless, it continued to use the Sheraton name for nearly 20 years. It was renovated and now operates as the Basra International Hotel. Similarly, the Sheraton Baghdad opened in 1992 and lost its Sheraton management contract with the 1991 Gulf War. It used the Sheraton name for the following 22 years. Beginning with the 2003 Iraq invasion it was hit with occasional rocket fire. It was bombed in 2005, and the site of a car bomb in 2010. It was renovated and rebranded as the Cristal Grand Ishtar Hotel in 2013.
So, too, does imprisoning wealthy locals in hotels. Although the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh was used by the Saudi government as a torture site for elites, extracting payments and fealty in exchange for release on unofficial charges of corruption, Marriott did not deflag the property. Though the government-owner of the property reportedly committed a murder there, Marriott continues to allow them use of the Ritz-Carlton brand and collect fees. The Saudi government reportedly collected $100 billion through its scheme here.
Violent regimes have a special interest in hotels. For a time ISIS operated the Ninawa International Hotel in Mosul (here’s a promotional video). Jihadists need a place to come for training, and to mark occasions with professionally-managed events. The terrorist proto-state advanced in part by providing basic services in communities, and sought to be professionally-run, even suspending non-essential business travel at the start of the pandemic (Jihad was required to take place remotely).
Are they at least getting lounge access?
Syria is not a country any longer in the actual meaning of the word “country” (similar to Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq) – it’s a place where many different factions and sects live, all of whom have hostility towards each other, and all of them lumped into certain non-sensincal borders by the Brits and French about 100 years ago. And the results – while delayed for decades by rule of monarchs and dictators keeping it all together (sort of)- are in full effect in the last 10-15 years as everyone can see.
I suppose it’s possible that the Sheraton in Syria is still operated by a subsidiary of Marriott International without it officially being a part of the Sheraton brand. Marriott has Sheraton operating subsidiaries in Egypt and Tunisia that could be used to operate this hotel.
@FNT Delta: if Marriott had subsidiaries involved in business in Syria, the US government would drop the hammer on them like Tim Allen in Home Improvement.
You can’t use foreign subsidiaries to get around US sanctions.
“The terrorist proto-state advanced in part by providing basic services in communities, and sought to be professionally-run, even suspending non-essential business travel at the start of the pandemic (Jihad was required to take place remotely).”
Just have to say that this one had me on the floor laughing! It’s funny because it’s true…..
Boy all that for stealing a couple of towels…it is surreal how unstable governments, instantaneous world communications and the movement of capital and people can interact. Years ago Alan Hale Jr. told about being on a plane that stopped in Beirut. He wanted to step out but a man with a kaffiyeh and a gun got on board and told everybody to sit down until they took off. He looked at Hale and said, “That means you too, Skipper!”
Will status still get 2 bottles of mineral water? Asking for a friend
Is this the ultimate form of getting Bonvoyed?
There are actually THREE Sheratons operating in Syria. All appear to have officially left the Sheraton brand around the time of the Syrian war 10-ish years ago. Looking at photos on Facebook and TripAdvisor, these Sheratons actually look better than the average real Sheraton back in the United States. I’m not sure the “open and operational” status of these hotels is as much about propaganda than a real, functioning hotel as they do, in fact, seem to be open based on TripAdvisor reviews.
Damn, @Roundtree beat me to it: Bonvoyed!
do they get points for the deposit of their wealth?
seems like a nice property, maybe reader @TOTAL’s mom can do brisk business there
I guess no credit cards allowed because of pesky sanctions.
@Dude26
I edited your post a little:
“The USA is not a country any longer in the actual meaning of the word “country” (similar to Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq) – it’s a place where many different factions and sects live, all of whom have hostility towards each other, and all of them lumped into certain non-sensincal borders called “states” about 100 years ago. And the results – while delayed for decades by rule of government bureacrats/justice department/ business and special interests groupds keeping it all together (sort of)- are in full effect in the last 10-15 years as everyone can see.
Hello Syria…get White Lotus to film there and let your people go!
@ Vijay — Sure, and basically because of the nonsense broadcast on TV last night from M-A-L.
@Gene
People are addicted to this guy Trump, both people who love him and people who hate him. I feel actually the addiction may be worse for the people who hate him. Gotta have someone to blame for their problems I guess.
Uhhhh.Trying to understand why this is a topic or of interests unless your a terrorist trainee a Russian Federation Orc or paid up member of the freedom Caucus cult why anyone would be flying into Damascus in which case you will have willfully earned everything this situation may have to offer.
From 1989 to 1991 was I was based at the American embassy in tel Aviv. I was also responsible for the security at our embassy in Damascus. I traveled there via Amman every other month and the embassy had a contract with this Sheraton. At that time it was maybe 3 stars. It had a club lounge. We got only 2 drinks during the happy hour either beer or soft drinks. There was some food but i can’t remember what was offered.
It definitely was not like happy hour at the royal orchid Sheraton in Bangkok. The staff were very friendly. Breakfast was great. Went out many nights for dinner as there were so many great Syrian restaurants. Had a great souk to wonder around in on weekends. The Syrian people were always helpful and kind. So sad what has happened to this country.
Franklin, it’s a hotel, which is why it’s in a travel blog.
I don’t understand why Gary would think that Marriott would de-flag the Ritz Carlton in Riyadh. Covering up a murder? Extracting onerous amounts of money on check out? It’s practically a brand promise!