ھەولێر Hawler (اربيل Erbil)

The city name Arbil appears non-Semitic: the initial aris common to many Hurrian place names. Arbil was mentioned in Sumerian holy writings as Arbilum, Orbelum or Urbilum. Later, Akkadians rendered the name as arba'ū ilū, meaning four gods, based on similarity and folk etymology. A small population of Assyrian Christians (about 15,000) live mostly in suburbs such as Ankawa.

Hawler's labyrinthine cityscape. Note the Great Mosque's minarets and dome to the right. April 2010

City landmarks

Nearby Attractions

Hotels in Erbil

Hotel Sulaymaniyah

Single: 30⁰⁰⁰ IQD

I strongly disliked this hotel. When I arrived around 9PM in Hawler I hopped in a taxi and asked for the cheapest hotel. The driver took me to Hotel Sulaymaniyah, where I paid $25 for a tiny room (#104) and a cramped dirty shared bathroom. I had never been in Hawler before and felt I would was vulnerable to getting lost if I went traipsing around the city at night.

I decided to stay for one evening, placating myself by deciding I would check out first thing in the morning and search for a new hotel. Compounding my dismay, I was not even allowed to use the telephone to make a short local call. Furthermore, there was no breakfast and the owner seemed amused that I even asked about it.

هوتپَلى شاهان Hotel Shahan

Single: 30⁰⁰⁰ IQD

Across from the governorate is the Hotel Sharahan. As I climbed up the marble and granite staircase to reach the hotel reception, I had already resigned myself that the hotel would be out of my price range. To my delight I only paid $25 for a large clean room (#302) with a nice private bathroom, and an included egg-and-bread breakfast.

My view at Hotel Shahan was of a dark shaft, but other rooms had nice views. The service was slow and lazy, and though the owner allowed me to use the telephone he then insulted my friends when they tried to call me back.

هوتپَلى زهور Hotel Zhar

Single: 25⁰⁰⁰ IQD

Next to the Hotel Shahan is a little alleyway emanating from the sidewalk along Qalat Street; up this alleyway is the Hotel Zhar. The sleepy Hotel Zhar had a neglected air about it and the bathroom was damp and smelly, but the room (#207) itself was very comfortable and the service was lovely. I was allowed to use the telephone until unfortunately the service was terminated.

Additional hotels