The tourist office of the Babil Governorate in Iraq offers former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s bedroom in the Al-Hillah Presidential Palace. If you’re a journalist (who will hopefully write about your happy experience and sound sleep), you will get a discount. The Governorate of Babil launched the idea of double-occupancy room with view of the ruins for a honeymoon in Saddam’s king-size bed in his former palace in Babylon.

The authorities of the province, composed of Shiite majority, have decided to open to the public one of Saddam Hussein’s former palaces, with the enticing offer of restful sleep on the hanged dictator’s bed. Just shell out $180 a night for the vaunted opportunity. Again, that’s just $30 for you if you happen to be a journalist.

Saddam Hussein, one of the most murderous dictators in recent history, ruled Iraq between 1979 and 2003. He was overthrown following the US-led military invasion and executed on December 30, 2006 after being found guilty of crimes against humanity by the Iraqi judiciary. The dictator had dozens of luxurious palaces around the country. Babil is the centerpiece of a lush garden of palm trees, facing the Euphrates River, about 100 kilometers south of Baghdad.

In this Al-Hilla palace, there are 32 suites for rent. The most affordable room goes for 50 euros a night. Just let your mind go past the fact that, very recently, a bomb exploded in Al-Hilla and killed 10 people, and that the road from Baghdad has been dubbed ‘Triangle of Death.’

No wonder they give heavy discounts to those who want to live to tell the tale (journos).

This is macabre tourism on Saddam Hill.

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Via asharq alawsat