Lonely Planet Review

If ever there was a hotel whose atmosphere revolved around one man, this is it. Mr Mousavi is fabulous and is the very personification of Persian hospitality. It's his enthusiasm and help that makes an otherwise unremarkable little hotel in the cheap streets of south Tehran worth the stay.

When we say cheap streets, we mean it. Amir Kabir St is where Tehran's cheapest accommodation clusters and the area is full of stores selling car parts; it will never be called attractive. It is, however, within walking distance of most of Tehran's sights and the transport that radiates from Imam Khomeini Sq. Rooms in the Firouzeh are small, without being tiny, and come with cable TV and bathrooms that have shower and basin; toilets are shared. But it's Mr Mousavi who makes it worth staying in this hotel. He is full of useful information and more than happy to direct guests to anywhere, make phone calls and bookings for onward travel of skiing trips, share his wonderful guestbook and bring in his wife's delicious home-cooking. We even saw him (yes, literally) spring a guest from the police lock-up! If you're arriving in Tehran, or returning, it's a great comfort to stay here with Mr Mousavi and the crew.