Historic Stone Hotel in Sarsang set for opening after restoration

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The iconic Stone Hotel, located in the Sarsang district northeast of Amedi, is set to open after undergoing a significant restoration, reviving a cherished piece of Kurdistan Region’s heritage.

Originally built in 1946 and opened in 1952, the Stone Hotel has long been a central hub for the community and a destination for tourists from across Iraq.

Throughout its storied history, the Stone Hotel has hosted numerous political and historical figures, including King Faisal II.

Its legacy is intertwined with the region’s political and cultural history, having once been managed by the late General Mullah Mustafa Barzani after his return from the Soviet Union in the 1960s.

The hotel, which initially featured two suites before expanding with the addition of beautiful stone villas and the adjacent French Hotel, has fallen into disrepair over the years.

Since 1990, it has been neglected. However, under the directive of the Kurdistan Region's Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, a restoration project was underway to return the hotel to its former glory.

Nazif, a local official, confirmed, “By order of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani, the Stone Hotel will be restored soon. Maintenance and restoration work will be carried out according to the hotel’s original design without altering its historic features.”

The restoration project, which includes 72 rooms and various annexes such as swimming pools and gardens, is expected to cost 5 billion dinars. This project marks the second major restoration since the hotel’s original opening, the first being in 1970.

The Stone Hotel remained a popular tourist site throughout the royal and republican eras in Iraq until the 1991 Kurdish uprising against Saddam Hussein’s regime, after which it was largely abandoned.

The decision to restore the Stone Hotel not only revives a key part of Kurdistan Region’s history but also reconnects the community with its cultural heritage.

Overlooking the historic palace of King Faisal II, the hotel is located in one of the most beautiful tourist sites in Dohuk Governorate. Historians note that King Faisal II chose Sarsang for the Royal Palace due to its moderate climate, picturesque nature, and welcoming inhabitants.

“For more than sixty years, the Stone Hotel has been a cultural landmark with its unique architecture, beautiful swimming pool, and lush gardens,” said a resident of Sarsang. “Our fathers and grandfathers built this hotel 71 years ago, and many worked there as employees for several years.”

Hamid Muhammad, the Director of Amedi Tourism, added, “The doors of the Stone Hotel opened in 1952 and hosted tourists from all Iraqi cities at that time. We started working on its restoration two years ago, and it is considered one of the most beautiful hotels in Sarsang. It is scheduled to reopen as soon as possible.”

With a population of over 20,000, Sarsang is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the Kurdistan Region, often referred to as the tourism capital of Kurdistan.

The restoration of the Stone Hotel is a significant step in preserving and celebrating this rich heritage.

The photos show the Stone Hotel after the restoration process: