Baghdad's Ishtar Sheraton to reopen as River Rock Hotel
Renamed the River Rock Ishtar Baghdad Hotel, the property will be operated by a Turkish hospitality group following extensive reconstruction.
Once one of Iraq's most prestigious hotels, the Ishtar Sheraton had its management contract with Sheraton terminated in 1991 during the Gulf War. Despite the official withdrawal, the hotel continued using the Sheraton name for over two decades.
The fully refurbished hotel is located in Firdos Square, in downtown Baghdad, overlooking the Dijla River. The property enjoys a central location near Abu Nawas Street, with Firdos Square just a 10-minute walk away, the Dijla River 15 minutes on foot, and Baghdad International Airport a 30-minute drive.
Once completed, the River Rock Ishtar Baghdad Hotel aims to restore the landmark's former prominence and contribute to the city's gradual return to normalcy. Its reopening is seen as a sign of cautious optimism for Baghdad's hospitality and tourism sectors after years of unrest.
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