Isfahan, Iran

This large, modern, multi-storey hotel (a former Sheraton) occupies a prominent riverside position overlooking Sis-o-Seh Pol Bridge, on the edge of the old Armenian Quarter, Julfa. It has ‘old’ and ‘new’ wings – rooms and suites in the new portion are of a slightly higher quality, having been refurbished more recently. Whenever possible, we try to place guests in the front-facing rooms that look across the river to the domes and minarets of the city’s historic core, set against a backdrop of distant mountains. One of the top five-stars in the country, this is a safe bet, though one lacking regional character.