Ditch the five-star brochures — I slept in ramshackle 80-year-old clay rooms in Qeshm and got the best seafood, the warmest smiles, and a week’s worth of stories in one night
There are things you don’t know — about Qeshm itself and about how to travel and stay there. In this article we’ll talk about things you didn’t know. In recent years, travel to southern regions, especially Qeshm Island, has become very popular among tourists; hundreds of people travel to this island each year and stay a few days in Qeshm’s eco-lodges — but nobody really tells you what conditions you will encounter there.
Qeshm is beautiful and its sights are many — yes, there is no doubt — but what are Qeshm’s eco-lodges like? In our view, the best trips are conscious trips: that means you know ahead of time where you’ll go, where you’ll stay, and what your lodging’s features will be.
Eco-lodges in Qeshm are old houses with native, traditional structures that have been converted into places to stay. Because of that, most such lodgings do not have beds (they use floor sleeping) and feature shared toilets, bathrooms, and kitchens.
This issue is one disadvantage of local lodgings, but when you think more about it, it is inevitable. A local house that before was someone’s home and now serves another purpose will naturally have limited facilities. Even most eco-lodges lack televisions — but does that matter? Did you come all the way to the south to follow your usual TV show?
Everything depends on how you look at travel. If you like ostentatious trips and hope to have breakfast trays brought to your bed every day and spend time shopping in modern malls, don’t go to Qeshm!
If you arrived on the island as a traveler with the goal of exploring and gaining new experiences, welcome to Qeshm — the island of new experiences, a dreamy trip to a place away from the noise and crowd of city life.
The main point of staying at Qeshm’s eco-lodges is getting to know the people, culture and customs of the region. You do not necessarily have to visit the mangrove forests (Hara) to see new things — from the moment you enter your lodging, the sights begin.
You will see friendly, creative southern people; taste unique southern dishes; enjoy southern music; and return home with a backpack full of memorable experiences.
Many of Qeshm’s eco-lodges provide internet and staff who speak English and Arabic, which has made travel easier for foreign tourists.
In this article in Alibaba Travel Magazine, we introduce Qeshm’s eco-lodges in detail so you can have a conscious, memorable trip to Qeshm.
Because of the COVID-19 situation, service plans at some lodges may vary; be sure to check before you travel.
Ferdais lodge on Qeshm Island is located 55 kilometers from the center of Qeshm and three kilometers from Qeshm Airport.
The first thing that attracts visitors upon arriving at Ferdais is its different, traditional architecture compared to other eco-lodges in Qeshm. The rooms at Ferdais are dome-and-hut shaped (kper-style), and because of their form they have naturally pleasant air; even on hot days the rooms remain cool.
Ferdais lodge has six huts with a maximum capacity of five people each. According to guests, the huts are most comfortable for four people. The floors are carpeted and sleeping is on floor mattresses. Each hut has its own bathroom, western toilet, and heating/cooling facilities.
This lodge does not have a shared kitchen or full restaurant, but if you want, you can pre-order local dishes at the lodge’s café and be served freshly prepared, aromatic southern meals. There are also gazebos around the facility for relaxing, eating, and enjoying nature.
Ferdais seaside eco-lodge — now let’s talk a bit about the lodge environment. Step outside your room and, borrowing Sahrab Sepehri’s line, “water is a step away…” — the proximity to the Persian Gulf is one of the lodge’s attractions and melts the hearts of travelers.
The sound of the sea, the pleasant heat of the sun, watching the sunset, walking and swinging by the shore — these are authentic peaceful experiences. In terms of access, Ferdais is close to Hengam Island and Qeshm’s major attractions such as Hara (mangrove) forests, the Valley of Statues (Valley of Talismans), Nakh islands (Naz Islands), the Valley of Stars and Balatel Dam. With guidance from the lodge management and rental vehicles, you can visit these sights to complete your trip.
Previous guests praise the hospitality and management of Ferdais; many want to repeat the stay.
Ferdais eco-lodge address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, south coast, 3 km from Qeshm International Airport, toward Hengam Island.
Phone: 09177695053
Captain Amini eco-lodge is a 25-year-old lodging in the heart of the village of Tabl, Qeshm, allowing guests to experience life in a southern village. This earthen (kāh-geli) house of about 350 sq meters across two floors has 10 rooms with floor sleeping.
There are four bathrooms and toilets (both Iranian and western) and a shared kitchen in the courtyard; rooms lack private facilities. If you want to try southern seafood dishes, order them in advance and they’ll prepare them for you.
Captain Amini lodge offers village-style living and interaction with hospitable Qeshm villagers. The village of Tabl is lined with tall date palms and offers views of both southern and northern coasts. The lodge is two kilometers from Hara mangrove forests, so you can easily visit after exploring the village.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, Tabl village, next to Eslah Mosque
Phone: 09176435033
Captain Amini eco-lodge on Google Maps
A lodge with such a poetic name surely has a tasteful owner and can be trusted for a stay. We asked the owner why they chose the name; they answered: “We decided on this name inspired by a verse of Sohrab Sepehri so that the place’s name wouldn’t be ordinary, and we wanted travelers who come here to feel it like a friend’s home.”
Khane-Doost is an eco-lodge in the seaside town of Suza, 22 km from Qeshm city. The building is 80 years old, about 1,400 sq meters, and in the past its rooms were used for Quran recitation; in 2017 it was restored by architects and reopened as a lodge.
Khane-Doost has 11 traditional floor-sleeping rooms. Each room has a name inspired by Qeshm’s attractions (e.g., Salt Cave, Valley of Statues, etc.). Two rooms are VIP with private bath and beds; others have shared bathrooms and toilets in the lodge yard. Khane-Doost has its own kitchen where local women prepare delicious southern meals for guests.
This lodge is well placed for access to the shore and water recreational activities, Naz Islands and Valley of Stars, either by an individual itinerary or packaged tours.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, Suza, Azadi Square
Phone: 09178651144
Haft Rangu eco-lodge — rest under the shade of date palms
A travel attraction in its own right, Haft Rangu is in the village of Haft Rangu. This large traditional house has rooms surrounding the courtyard. The yard is full of tall old date palms and gazebos of palm fiber that protect the yard from the southern sun; you can sit for hours in their shade.
Haft Rangu has three yards named Fish, Birds and Trees, with a total of 23 rooms for up to 120 guests. Some rooms in the Fish yard are like local houses and have private bathrooms; rooms in the Birds and Trees yards typically share communal facilities.
All rooms have heating and cooling. There’s a café-restaurant serving seafood and southern dishes, and an on-site handicraft stall, henna painting and musical entertainment. Staff speak English and are very hospitable; their effort results in a clean, tidy space.
From a location perspective, Haft Rangu is close to sites such as Naderi Castle, Windcatcher city, Khourbs Cave, Hara forests, Guran Dam, Chahkuh Gorge, Valley of Statues and more. It’s also a good base for visiting local boat-building workshops.
Photo limitations prevented sharing a high quality image here; if you stay there and have good photos, please share them with the magazine.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, Haft Rangu road, start of Haft Rangu village
Phone: 09384581139
Bagh-Ayīn-Ha-Zinat eco-lodge
Located in Selakh village, 70 km from Qeshm, this lodge is popular due to its proximity to the desert, sea and village. People who want a few days away from the city choose this lodge. Bagh-Ayīn-Ha-Zinat has 34 floor-sleeping rooms decorated with paintings, traditional objects and handicrafts. Rooms have AC and some have private baths; others use communal facilities.
The place has an arts & crafts kiosk for souvenirs, a photo exhibition, and a garden with live traditional music. Close to coral islands, Hara mangroves, Salt Cave and Valley of Statues; you can book boat tours to Hengam and dolphin watching.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, Selakh village
Phone: 09365988990
Bagh-Ayīn-Ha-Zinat on Google Maps
Kaka eco-lodge
Kaka lodge is a 35-year-old house renovated in 2018 and opened to tourists. It’s 57 km from Qeshm in Dehkhoda village and has six ground-floor rooms. Some rooms have private baths but most do not; there’s no TV or fridge but all rooms have heating/cooling.
You can pre-order local dishes. This minimalist configuration is an opportunity to escape everyday life and enjoy simple pleasures.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, 10 km from Qeshm International Airport, Dehkhoda village
Phone: 09177607690
Kaka on Google Maps
Takhreh eco-lodge — next to Hara forests
Takhreh, in Suheli village 61 km from Qeshm, is a completely traditional lodging with six rooms established in 2012. Like many local lodges it has no beds and no private bathrooms; communal facilities are in the yard. Due to the climate, rooms only have cooling systems. The lodge has a public kitchen preparing southern seafood meals on order.
Its main benefit is being just four kilometers from the Hara mangrove forests. Note: photo limitations prevented good images here — if you visit, please share photos with the magazine.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, Suheli village, Fish Square, near Rainbow Alley
Phone: 09177672708
Lard eco-lodge
“Lard” sign can be seen above the entrance of “Kashaneh-ye Lard Soza” — an old house that reopened as a guesthouse in 2014. It has a big courtyard with small palms. The southern word “Lard” means “going out of the house” and the name comes from the nearby green area, which unfortunately is no longer as lush as before.
Kashaneh Lard has 10 rooms — five without private facilities using floor mattresses with shared bathrooms, and five master rooms with private facilities and beds. One room, called the bridal room, introduces local wedding culture. The lodge has a dining hall and you can pre-order meals.
Kashaneh Lard is one kilometer from Qeshm beach and close to Naz Islands. It also offers amenities like a café and a shared pool accessible to residents of this and other lodges; bicycles can be rented to cycle to the shore.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, Suza seaside town, Payambar Azam St., next to taxi station
Phone: 09172102903
Fanoos eco-lodge
Fanoos is a private home converted to a guesthouse with three rooms in Suheli village. It suits travelers who prefer non-modern hotels. Fanoos has communal kitchen and bathrooms; the owner runs a traditional restaurant and you can order meals from there. The location is near Hara forests, Chahkuh Gorge, Dolphin Beach and Qeshm’s highlands.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, Suheli village
Phone: 09171631600
Alishahi eco-lodge
Alishahi is in Tabl village 70 km from Qeshm. It’s a rural house with seven rooms — two have private bath and toilets; others use shared facilities. The lodge sells handicraft souvenirs and is close to Hara, Chahkuh and Naz Islands.
Photo limitations prevented good images; if you visit, please share.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, Tabl village
Phone: 09177600415
Alishahi on Google Maps
Elyas eco-lodge
Elyas is in Gorzīn village and has 8 rooms; it was reopened after renovation. Rooms are floor sleeping with shared bath and toilet and an on-site restaurant taking pre-orders. Gorzīn village itself is attractive with camel riding and sand dunes.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, Gorzīn village, Khatam-al-Anbiya St., Tovhid East Lane
Phone: 09179393502
Elyas on Google Maps
Nachidar eco-lodge
“Nachidar” means “clear” in the southern dialect. The host explained the name comes from a long-abandoned nearby village destroyed by earthquake long ago. Nachidar is in Chahu village and has six rooms. One room is especially large for groups. A drawback: two rooms lack windows — check that before booking. It has shared bath and toilet and a communal kitchen for pre-ordered meals.
Photo limitations prevented images; please share pictures with the magazine if you go.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, Chahu East village, Shakuh Road, beside the Park
Phone: 09179390408
(On the road to Nachidar) Many sources label the approach as a dirt road; however, after contacting the lodge we confirmed the route is not a dirt track. The lodge is just a bit more remote and pristine.
Nachidar on Google Maps
Setareh Berkeh Khalaf eco-lodge
Setareh is in Berkeh Khalaf village 20 km from Qeshm. The 40-year-old house opened as an eco-lodge in 2008 and has 4 rooms and 2 suites. The suites have private baths and beds; other rooms are floor mattresses with shared facilities.
Setareh is the closest lodging to the Valley of Stars, a major Qeshm sight, so it’s a good base for sightseeing.
Photos are limited here; please share if you visit.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, Berkeh Khalaf village — start of the Valley of Stars
Phone: 09177696992
Hengami eco-lodge (on Hengam Island)
We counted proximity to Hengam as an advantage when listing lodges. This lodge is located on Hengam Island: wake to the waves, spend nights beside bonfires. After restoration, Hengami opened in 2017 and has seven rooms with names such as Shaghayegh (Poppy), Sadaf (Shell), Marjan (Coral) etc. Facilities are shared bathrooms in the yard.
Photo limitations prevented images; please share if you visit.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, Hengam Island, Old Hengam Village
Phone: 09179773056
Hengami on Google Maps
Captain Ali-Saleh eco-lodge — excellent seafood
Captain Ali-Saleh’s home-restaurant is in Suheli village. It’s run by Captain Ali-Saleh and his family, who welcome guests warmly. The property has 15 rooms with floor mattresses and shared bath. Most rooms have AC and one has a four-sided windcatcher that provides natural cooling. The house’s earthen walls have long served as resting places for travelers.
The restaurant menu includes seafood like qelyeh-māhi, shellfish, crab, qelyeh-shrimp, all prepared with fresh daily catch.
This lodge is near Hara forests, but the beach is 20 km away — if you want to reach the shore you’ll need to travel. Photo limitations prevented images; please share if you visit.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, Suheli village
Phone: 09173635281
Captain Ali-Saleh on Google Maps
Pir-Hara eco-lodge
Located in Tabl village near Hara forests, Pir-Hara offers more facilities compared with similar lodges. This earthen house has 9 rooms with traditional decor; both rooms and yard are decorated with local artifacts and each room reflects aspects of southern culture.
Pir-Hara is close to Hara, Valley of Statues, Naz Islands, Salt Cave and other highlights.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, Tabl village, opposite the Bazaar Mosque
Phone: 09175009807
Pir-Hara on Google Maps
Badgirān Suheli eco-lodge
Started in 2015, Badgirān Suheli has six rooms with shared bathrooms and no beds. The space is fully traditional with wooden ceilings and many rooms have no windows — factor that into booking. It is located close to Qeshm’s sights and is currently undergoing updates to improve amenities — information may change soon.
Photos are limited; please share if you have good images.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, Suheli village
Phone: 09178887491
Klodang eco-lodge
Klodang in Dehkhoda village was built in 2001 with more rooms added in 2013. It has 8 traditional rooms with shared bath and toilet. The warm, friendly atmosphere and village activities (camel rides, live music) entertain guests.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, Dehkhoda village, beside the small village mosque
Phone: 09173665256
Khaleh Khorshid eco-lodge
Khaleh Khorshid is both a restaurant and a guesthouse; the main building dates to 1933 and after renovation in 2008 it opened to visitors. It has three rooms with floor mattresses; two have shared bath and one suite has private facilities.
It’s close to the Persian Gulf shore so popular. Guests can wear local clothes for photos and get henna painting.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Shebdaraz village, main road before the Shebdaraz tourism pier, next to Al-Kamal Mosque
Phone: 09367839034
Khalu eco-lodge
Khalu Mansour guesthouse is an 80-year-old house renovated in 2016 with eight rooms. Rooms have no private bath; guests use shared facilities. Room names based on previous owners or functions attract travelers.
Khalu is conveniently located near Qeshm Airport, Eco Park and Kandalo Pier.
Address: Hormozgan Province, Qeshm, Naqashé village
Phone: 09177698896
Wrapping up — pack your bag for Qeshm’s eco-lodges now!
We cannot categorically call any of Qeshm’s eco-lodges “the best” in superlatives, but if you change your perspective on travel, you’ll definitely experience one of the best trips of your life. Everything is beautiful if you look at it beautifully.
When choosing your lodge, consider access to top sights like Hengam, Hara forests, Valley of Stars etc. Plan carefully so you can enjoy meeting warm locals and also have time to sightsee. Walk a little on the beach, sit by a nighttime bonfire and multiply your travel memories.
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