Sultan Inn Boutique Hotel

Fantastic View

by ecmerrel about Restaurant on top of the Sultan's Inn

The food is a little pricey but it is in the hotel so I'm sure that is why. But the food is good and the views over the Caspian and the Maiden's Tower are great. If you don't want to pay the food prices, then just sit in the bar below it. Same great view but for the price of a coke... The filet mignon was good and beautifully cooked... especially because it is difficult to get good beef here. It is on all the local menus, but tends to taste too strong for Western palates. But here it was just like home.

Currently working in Baku as an expat...

by ecmerrel

"You can see the sights in one day..."

I've been living here in Baku for the past year and, while it is a decent city and a tourist could visit and see everything in one day, it is not ideal for trying to work here as an expat. The cab drivers assume, because you are foreign, they can lie to you about how much a taxi costs (3 manat with tip, 4 if you are feeling particularly generous, but they'll lie and tell you 6). The waiters have NO IDEA what the words "customer service" mean. Mainly they just don't see any urgency in bringing your food out in a timely manner or giving you your bill, which can be a problem if you need to get back to work after lunch. The drivers are absolutely insane, honking constantly, driving on the wrong side of the road. And you take your life into your own hands when you try to cross the street. The Old City is worth a visit but the Caspian is heavily polluted and should be avoided at all costs, other than to walk along the promenade. The people, who seemed nice at first, seem more annoyed that we are in their country now that I have gotten used to my surroundings and pay more attention. The Russian Azeris and the ethnic Azeris don't like each other and neither of them really want foreigners working here, so there is this pervading feeling of underlying animosity when you walk around. No one is smiling. And my friend had his cell phone stolen right out of his hand as we walked to dinner near Fountain Square. Anyway, I did get out of Baku to go camping up near Lahij and had a fantastic time. The mountains were beautiful, it was quiet, and we had a blast off-roading on the old mountain roads through dry riverbeds and past flocks of sheep. I would definitely recommend it. All in all, it is a livable city, but sometimes you get sick of the attitude and wish you were someplace where the people actually wanted you there.

"The ballet"

I saw "1001 Nights" at the ballet and really enjoyed it. And it is so affordable as well... I think we paid 5 manats per ticket. And the architecture on the inside of the building was stunning.

"The old city..."

The streets are narrow which adds to their charm. The square around the Maiden's Tower is pretty and has some good restaurants around it. The restaurant on the roof of the Sultan's Inn has a fantastic view and I highly recommend it. Even if you aren't up for dinner, their bar is on an outdoor deck as well so just sit there, sip a drink, and enjoy the atmosphere.

Yanar Dag - Burning Mountain

by Sasha_Most

As i have read, Azerbaijan - is translated as The Country of Eternal Fire and Yanar Dag is the symbol of Azerbaijan Republic...The fire at that mountain is burning as long as Azerbaijan Republic exists...You have to visit that place - really the eye-catcher!!!

Icari Sahar (aka Old Town)

by josephescu

A walk through the narrow streets from the Maiden’s Tower towards the Icari Sahar revealed a real sense of the old Islamic centre of Baku – mosques and minarets, Arabic architecture, carpets, exotic flavours in small shadowed gardens. Shop tenants chatting over tea or playing domino in the sun, fat lazy cats in doorsteps.
The winds of change were slightly blowing though - sleepy policemen or bodyguards here and there, watching over renovated imposing residences with 4WD Porches parked in front, high fences assorted with video cameras, sounds of construction and renovation works.

Stalinist building hosts the government

by josephescu

This huge, Stalinist-inspired office building hosts the government, and thinking at the Alyiev posters spread throughout the country, it seems to me it hosts not only the government offices, but their minds as well.