Hello, I’m Aida, a 38-year-old mother who, together with my husband Ramin and our two children, Radin and Ainaz, experienced one of the most memorable family trips of our lives last week.

 

To be honest, my husband had promised us a short trip to northern Iran for a long time, and since this opportunity might only come once a year, I started researching the best hotels in Masal and nearby attractions several weeks in advance to make sure we would have a truly unforgettable journey.

 

Now that we are back home, I decided to share our complete travel experience and our stay at Ratins Hotel. Hopefully, it can be helpful for other families looking to book a hotel in Masal.

 

How We Found Ratins Hotel Masal

 

We live in Yazd and, like many other families, we had always dreamed of spending a few days surrounded by the beautiful nature of northern Iran. While I was searching online for hotels in Masal, my son Radin suddenly came to me excitedly and said, “Mom, look at this hotel! It even has a playground!”

 

He was holding his tablet and had opened the Ratins Hotel website. At first, I didn’t take it very seriously, but after seeing the pictures, I was genuinely amazed. A large green garden full of flowers and trees, beautiful Swiss-style cabins, and an incredibly peaceful atmosphere—it was exactly what we were looking for in a family vacation.

 

As usual, Ramin’s first question was, “Does it have parking?” I quickly checked the facilities of Ratins Hotel Masal and saw that yes, it offers a private 24-hour parking area. Before we had even finished talking, our daughter Ainaz excitedly asked, “Mom, do they have pizza?”

 

I checked the hotel restaurant’s menu and found that besides traditional Gilan cuisine, they also served various Iranian dishes and fast food. That very night, we were almost certain that Masal would be our travel destination.

 

The Journey from Yazd to Masal

 

The distance between Yazd and Masal is about 960 kilometers, and we decided to travel by our own car. Since the route was long, we divided the journey into two days so the children would not become too tired. We spent the first night in Tehran and continued our journey early the next morning.

 

The closer we got to the north, the cooler the weather became and the greener the scenery turned. Gradually, the forest roads appeared, and that was the moment we felt our real adventure had begun.

 

Our First Impression of Ratins Hotel Masal

 

It was around 1 PM when we finally arrived at Ratins Hotel, and from the very first moment, we were impressed. The hotel’s beautiful architecture among the lush gardens and colorful flowers gave us the feeling of staying in a luxury retreat surrounded by nature.

 

Honestly, I had never expected a four-star hotel in Masal to have such a unique and charming environment. We parked our car in the private parking area and entered the lobby.

 

The hotel staff were incredibly welcoming, polite, and professional, and the check-in process was completed very quickly. When we found out that our suite was located in the newly opened section of Ratins Hotel’s Swiss cabins, the children’s excitement doubled.

 

Ratins Hotel’s Swiss Cabins; More Beautiful Than the Photos

 

To reach our suite, we had to walk through the hotel’s large garden, and without exaggeration, it was one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen. Everywhere was filled with colorful flowers, tall trees, and fresh greenery.

 

We even passed through a natural green tunnel made of branches and flowers, which created a magical feeling. Then we reached the Swiss cabin complex, which looked even more beautiful than the photos on the website.

 

In front of our suite, there was a private outdoor space with a table, chairs, and a fire pit—perfect for family gatherings in the evening.

 

Inside, the suite was completely clean, stylish, and newly built. Later, we learned that this section had only been opened about a month earlier. The suite included:

 

– A cozy and modern living room

– A fully equipped kitchen

– Two master bedrooms with double beds

– A private jacuzzi

– Modern bathroom facilities

– A private backyard

 

It was truly an excellent choice for a family stay in Masal.

 

Ratins Hotel Restaurant and Café

 

After taking a refreshing shower, we went to the hotel restaurant. The restaurant had a stylish and clean atmosphere and offered a diverse menu of Iranian dishes, traditional Gilan cuisine, and fast food.

 

We ordered Iranian food for lunch, and the quality was truly outstanding. After our meal, we walked through the hotel garden and discovered how charming the café was—a cozy traditional-style café located in the garden with tables placed among flowers and trees.

 

Anzali Free Zone; The First Exciting Destination of Our Trip

 

After resting for a while in our suite, we decided to visit the Anzali Free Zone, which was approximately one hour and thirty minutes away from Ratins Hotel.

 

The hotel reception had given us a card with a QR code on the back. After scanning it, we found many nearby attractions and tourist destinations in Gilan, which was very useful.

 

The journey itself was half the enjoyment of the trip. We first passed through beautiful forest roads and then reached the coastal road alongside the Caspian Sea, where the scenery was absolutely breathtaking.

 

When we arrived at the Anzali Free Zone, we entered a world of shopping and entertainment. From Arash Mall to Brand Center, there were countless shopping opportunities.

 

We also visited the famous Anzali Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in Iran. The aquarium tunnel, rare fish species, tropical animals, and gaming area kept the children entertained for hours.

 

That night, tired but happy, we returned to the hotel and went directly to the restaurant, where we ordered several delicious pizzas.

 

Day Two; A Journey to Masal’s Dreamy Highlands

 

The next morning, after enjoying Ratins Hotel’s complete and delicious breakfast, we headed to the famous highland areas of Masal, located around 30 to 40 minutes from the hotel.

 

The buffet breakfast was excellent, offering everything from local cheese and butter to omelets, fried eggs, homemade jams, and fresh bread.

 

When we arrived at the highlands, words could hardly describe the beauty we witnessed. The green mountains, cool air, fog moving between wooden houses, and clouds that were sometimes below our viewpoint made us feel as if we were living inside a postcard.

 

We also visited famous places such as Olsabelangah and Soveh Chaleh, two of Masal’s most spectacular highland villages with breathtaking landscapes.

 

If someone is looking for true peace and relaxation, a trip to Masal and a stay among this magnificent nature is something they should never miss.

 

Day Three; Visiting Rudkhan Castle and Masouleh

 

On the third day of our journey, we traveled to Rudkhan Castle, located approximately 47 kilometers from Ratins Hotel. The drive took around one to one hour and twenty minutes through incredibly green and beautiful forest roads.

 

Rudkhan Castle is one of Gilan Province’s most famous historical attractions. Its origins date back to the Sassanid era and it was later restored during the Seljuk period. Built on the forested mountains of Fuman, the castle served as an important military fortress for many years.

 

To reach the castle, visitors need to climb around 1,600 stone steps. It may seem challenging at first, especially for families with young children, but the forest scenery along the way makes you forget all the tiredness.

 

We took several breaks, drank tea, and rested so the children would not get exhausted. When we finally reached the castle, the stunning view of Gilan’s forests and the unique architecture of the fortress made every step worthwhile.

 

After visiting Rudkhan Castle, we continued our journey to Masouleh, which is about 35 minutes away. It was truly one of the most unique places we visited during our trip—a historic stepped village where the roofs of one house become the courtyards of another.

 

Its narrow alleys were filled with traditional shops, handicrafts, local clothing, and the wonderful aroma of local dishes. The cool weather, famous fog, and unique architecture made us feel as if we had entered another world.

 

A Peaceful Evening Back at Ratins Hotel

 

That night, we returned to the hotel and visited the garden café. The children ordered milkshakes while Ramin and I enjoyed coffee, which was of excellent quality.

 

Afterward, the children went to the hotel playground, while we sat on the family swing at the end of the garden. Surrounded by flowers, trees, and fresh air, we truly felt separated from the stress of everyday life.

 

When we returned to our suite, Ramin went into the jacuzzi and said all the tiredness from the trip had disappeared.

 

Day Four; Exploring Rasht

 

On the fourth day, we decided to visit Rasht, located about one and a half hours from Ratins Hotel.

 

Our first stop was Mohtasham Garden, one of the oldest and most famous parks in Rasht. Built during the Qajar period, this beautiful garden features ancient trees, walking paths, wide green spaces, and the historical Kolah Farangi mansion at its center.

 

The children played for a long time while we enjoyed the calm and beautiful environment.

 

After that, we visited Rasht’s Grand Bazaar, which had a wonderful traditional atmosphere. The market includes different sections such as:

 

– Fish market

– Local fruits and vegetables

– Pickles and olives

– Clothing stores

– Handicrafts

– Gold shops and more

 

Walking among the warm and friendly people of Rasht gave us a very pleasant feeling.

 

Later, we headed to Rasht Municipality Square, undoubtedly the most famous part of the city. The white classical municipality building from the early Pahlavi era is one of Rasht’s main symbols and features beautiful European-style architecture.

 

The surrounding pedestrian streets are filled with cafés, restaurants, shops, and a lively urban atmosphere. At night, street musicians and the beautiful lighting of the buildings make the square even more attractive.

 

At the end of the pedestrian area, we reached Sabzeh Meydan, a historic square with large green spaces and old trees that has long been one of the main gathering places for the people of Rasht. It was the perfect place to relax after a long day of walking.

 

When we returned to the hotel, it was around 11 PM.

 

Final Day; Gisum Beach

 

On our final day, at the children’s insistence, we visited Gisum, which is about 45 minutes away from Ratins Hotel.

 

The forest road leading to Gisum was truly one of the most beautiful roads I had ever seen—a green pathway surrounded by tall trees that felt like driving through a natural tunnel.

 

The beach had a wonderful family-friendly atmosphere and offered many exciting activities, including:

 

– Jet skiing

– Boat rides

– Shuttle rides

– Quad biking

– Parasailing

 

Ramin, who loves excitement and adventure, tried parasailing and absolutely enjoyed it.

 

Around 9 PM, we returned to the hotel. The children ordered sandwiches, while Ramin and I tried several traditional Gilan dishes, which were incredibly delicious.

 

A Difficult Goodbye to Ratins Hotel

 

We went to bed a little earlier on our final night because we had to leave the next day.

 

At 11 AM, we checked out of our suite and said goodbye to Ratins Hotel, the beautiful city of Masal, and the hospitable people of Gilan.

 

To be honest, the children were sad for several hours afterward, and Ainaz even cried because they had enjoyed the trip so much. However, their father’s promise of another future trip to Masal helped cheer them up.

 

During the entire journey back home, Ramin and I talked only about our wonderful memories of Masal and our pleasant stay at Ratins Hotel.

 

I hope this travel story helps you choose the perfect place to stay and discover the beautiful attractions of Gilan.