A view of a private chalet in Balad featuring a heated swimming pool and indoor lounge, part of the city’s growing winter tourism offerings. (Photo: 964media)
Salah Al-Din
Balad’s winter chalets offer warm retreats as farmland shifts from agriculture to tourism
SALAH AL-DIN — Balad’s tourism chalets are drawing visitors even through the colder months as the city shifts from farming to leisure-based investments following years of agricultural decline.
Many farms have been converted into chalets rented by the day or half day, with rates reaching 350,000 Iraqi dinars ($250) per shift. As summer ends, owners prepare for winter by heating swimming pools and adding indoor cinema screens for guests.
During a visit by 964media, farm owners were seen getting ready to receive winter visitors, setting up warm lounges and enclosed gathering areas to make the chalets comfortable for families and youth alike.
Prices have fallen slightly from summer levels but services remain the same, making the chalets an affordable option for middle-income visitors seeking a cozy winter getaway.
Mohammed Reda, owner of Millennium Farm, told 964media, “We have prepared everything tourists need for the winter season, from heated indoor pools and a games hall to a cinema. All visitor requirements are available in the Balad chalets.”
He added, “We started reducing prices slightly to suit local families, and there is no difference between the winter and summer seasons in terms of available services and facilities. The current booking price is around 200,000 dinars ($143) in winter, compared to about 300,000 dinars ($214) in summer.”
Reda said farms that offer extra features such as heated pools and game halls charge 350,000 dinars ($250) in winter and 400,000 dinars ($286) in summer. “During summer weekdays, morning bookings were 375,000 dinars ($268) and evening ones 400,000 dinars ($286). On holidays, morning bookings were 400,000 ($286) and evening 450,000 dinars ($321). Now in this season, both morning and evening bookings cost 350,000 dinars ($250) on regular days and 400,000 dinars ($286) on holidays,” he said.
Visitor Haider Naji told 964media, “There is a clear sense of satisfaction among tourists thanks to the winter chalets equipped with halls and heated indoor pools. Farms used to operate only during summer, but now they are active in winter too, with new additions like theaters, gardens, winter lounges, and other facilities. Prices have become suitable for middle- and even low-income families after being very high in the past.”