Middle East Hotels

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• Reviews: 3387

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STAR HOSTEL: NOT QUITE READY IN T'BILISI

I think the guy who runs this hostel (Ramaz) is great. He helped me out, made sure I had loads of information about Tbilisi and provided a very economical shuttle to the airport. He also let me have a bed until I had to go to the airport at 2am. The only problem? The beds are really poor. The owner told me that he was going to put in bunk beds and open a new hostel. I am sure it will be better. The Hostel is clean and amazingly well located. It is less than a block from the old city walls and Freedom Square. It also has fantastic views of the city walls, especially at night.

So if you can sleep on anything, this is a great hostel.

• Opinion of Price: least expensive
• Address: Vertskhli str. 45, Tbilisi, Georgia
• Phone: 00995322995099
• Website: http://www.hostelz.com/hostels/Georgia/Tbilisi
• Related to: Budget Travel, Backpacking, Road Trip
• Written August 25, 2012

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TBILISI HOSTEL: NOT GOOD

There are a lot of fantastic hostels across the world. This isn’t one of them. I reserved their only double room and was shocked at how poor my room and the whole hostel was. My mattress was completely uncomfortable, the room was in the middle of all the incessant noise the first night and was absolutely not worth the price I agreed to on the website. Fortunately, due to the disorganized staff, I paid a lot less.

There was only 1 bathroom/toilet upstairs I can’t imagine what would happen if they did get a lot of people staying in the dorm rooms. The internet was a computer sitting on a bare floor. The staff were more interested in talking as loud as they could with their friends until 5am. I didn’t even know there was a kitchen until I was leaving. The whole building has warped floors and is not even warm and the water never heats up. I wonder what its like in winter.

Even though it has a good location I would recommend you look for accommodation somewhere else.

Unique Quality:
* Disorganised
* Noisy
* Cold

• Opinion of Price: least expensive
• Address: Georgia, Tbilisi, Avlabari, Makhati Turn 22
• Phone: +995 98 506 969
• Website: http://tbilisihostel.com/
• Related to: Road Trip, Backpacking, Budget Travel
• Written August 25, 2012

STAY AWAY !

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HOTEL DZVELI UBANI: GOOD HOTEL IN T'BILISI

DO NOT LET THEM TAKE YOU TO THE AIRPORT. For some reason these people run a nice hotel, but will try and rip you off with journeys to/from the airport. The lady at the desk told me that the journey to the airport was ‘around 30 GEL’ when she was loudly overruled and I was quoted 40GEL. This is more expensive than the taxi drivers in the street quote. I paid 25GEL to a taxi driver I negotiated with. Why they would act like this is beyond me. Stupid really given that the rest of this tip is complementary to them.

OK. So the hotel is very nice at a reasonable price. Located in the Old Town and only a block away from Freedom Square and all the action. My room was very comfortable, had a great bed, and plenty of hot water. I didn’t stay for breakfast, but the breakfast room and the whole hotel looked very nice. I emailed these folks to make my reservation and I was treated very politely by the staff – except at the mention of the airport.

If you are looking for a good price and a good night’s sleep with a location close to all the sights and transport – this place is for you.

• Opinion of Price: about average
• Address: Alexander Duma Str. N5, 0105, Tbilisi, Georgia
• Phone: (+995 32) 922 404
• Website: http://www.dzveliubani.com.ge/index_eng.htm
• Related to: Romantic Travel and Honeymoons, Family Travel, Budget Travel
• Written August 25, 2012

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HOTEL CHARM: PLENTY OF REAL CHARM IN GEORGIA

Yes, it is charming and so is the nice lady (Nino) who owns the hotel. This large house with big stairs is well located, comfortable and good value. The interior is full of antiques, has quiet surroundings and is located in the heart of the Old Town. It also has a fantastic enclosed balcony that looks out over the river. A great place to sit down with some food and write your postcards.

Rooms are comfortable with good beds, plenty of heat and plenty of room. I stayed in one of the non-ensuite rooms and I had a great bathroom with a huge heater and plenty of hot water. With only 7 rooms, it is both cosy and quiet.

The nice owner really looks out for you and will tell you where there is a very good restaurant (and price!), where to buy wine and where to shop. I was really made to feel welcome. She also takes security seriously and you will have no worries staying here.

Great hotel, great location, a great night’s sleep.

Unique Quality:
• Air-conditioning
• Airport transfer (on request)
• In room dining
• Laundry
• Business centre
• Very quiet and secure
• Babysitting (on request)
• Across from the (Orthodox) Pope’s house

• Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
• Address: 11 Chakhrukhadze St. Tbilisi 0105, Georgia
• Phone: (+995 32) 985333 / 986348
• Website: http://www.hotelcharm.ge/main/index.php
• Related to: Family Travel, Business Travel, Women's Travel
• Written August 25, 2012

THE GRAND BREAKFAST ROOM

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WHITE CITY HOSTEL: I COULDN'T FIND THE PLACE !!!!

I never stayed here. That’s because I was never given the chance. I agreed to get picked up at the airport and no one showed up. They never answered the land line phone or mobile. I was there at 4am in the morning wondering what to do. So I got in a taxi and he drove around for 1 hour trying to find the place at great expense. I had read a review, by a complete idiot, that said this was in the Old Town. It’s not! It’s ’15 minutes drive’ from the Old Town as a better website explained. They said it was near ‘SOS Child Village’. The Manager from SOS got in my taxi - at 5am! - trying to help me find this place. Nothing.

Then they rang me at 2am the next night.

Arggghhhh!

I ended up in a Catholic Church and homeless shelter for a while. Interesting considering this is a Muslim country. The Priests and Nuns got me a taxi and off I went to another hotel. In fact I spent as much on taxis as I did at the second hotel.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Several other reviews on other websites explain this has no signs or markings, often don’t answer the phone and is hard to find. I wish I had read those. Please read mine.

Please save yourself some trouble and book somewhere in the Old Town or nearby. The Centre of town has accommodation that is affordable and walkable to the Old City.

Unique Quality:
The ability to hide a whole hostel!

• Opinion of Price: least expensive
• Address: Abilov street 45, (Near “SOS Child Village”) Zig settlement, Baku, Azerbijan
• Phone: +994 12 379 52 42
• Website: http://azerbaijan24.com/component/hotels/hotel/96-Baku.html
• Related to: Singles, Backpacking, Budget Travel
• Written August 25, 2012

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CANUB HOTEL (AND GULAG): SOVIET GOTHIC

I can still remember my first hotel in the USSR. 1986. Passports handed in to reception and suspicious, distrustful looks. Then up the stairs to the first landing. There an old Matron with a stare that could kill 20 Imperialists eyed you up. She would be at her desk, guarding the 1 TV (with the 1 station never on) and an eagle eye-view from the desk to every door on that floor. You were scanned and allowed – to climb another set of stairs. You then arrive and see… an old Matron with a stare that could kill 20 Imperialists eyed you up. She would be at her desk, guarding the 1 TV (with the 1 station never on) and an eagle eye-view from the desk to every door on that floor. 5-25 floors – it never mattered. And your room key was NEVER at reception. No. It was with the floor Matron. Young, yet made of old steel. Ready to report you for subversive activities and sentence you to 2 extra nights in the same hotel.

You reach your room? Dark, mouldy, no shower curtain, maybe some flip-flops. Parts of mismatched carpet, a diabolical bed, little or no curtain, maybe a little heat and a blanket that was too short.

Did I say 1986? Yes, but the spirit is alive today with the daughters running this Soviet Museum. And it’s expensive for what you pay for!

My half toilet seat finally broke and scratched my backside. My bed flipped forward and pitched me along the room when I sat on it. The carpets ARE originals and smell accordingly. The curtain is see through – get up! And you can hear about everything.

Ashtrays are standard – of course it smells like smoke fool!

If you stay here – you get what you deserve.

I have actually dug out some of my USSR pictures (1986) and Belarus pictures (2004) and I can assure you – this place is still the same. The ‘reception’ area is where Matron irons linen and watches the one TV. And she has your key in another room.

Don’t stay here – you wouldn’t sleep in a museum would you.

There are some good and great places to stay in Baku. This isn’t even good enough to be bad.

Unique Quality:
Where do I begin?

* Smells like mould
* Matron on every floor staring at you
* The TV on every floor goes on - very loud - at 2am when the vodka kicks in
* A bed of nails would be better
* Broken toilets/heaters/doors/beds - you don't get a choice
* You actually have to pay to stay here
* Curtains that let in 99% of light and 120% of noise

• Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
• Address: AZ1000, Baku Aliyeva Zarifa 31, Azerbijan
• Phone: (99412) 598-11-52
• Website: http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=http://www.navigator.az/firm/2213/info/&ei=oKGsTfv1BsOXhQeFkOjNCQ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&re
• Related to: Budget Travel, Adventure Travel
• Written August 25, 2012

SATAN'S SITTING ROOM

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Marriott Armenia Hotel Yerevan: WORTH IT?

The Marriott actually forms part of the 4 corners of Republic Square in the Capital city of Yerevan. Its an ornate building on the outside, but a bit cramped on the inside. I stayed nearby and went for a look. I can't say I was blown away except by the prices they wanted for a room. Considering there is no indoor pool, I can't see justification for charging double the price of some other hotels - with an indoor pool - just a couple of blocks away. I must say I did like their 'public' toilets that were still upstairs and away from the lobby. The lobby itself was white. small and sterile. I have listed some of the amenities below, but for the money you could find a hotel with much more character, exciting facilities and pay less.

I love Marriott, but not this one.

Unique Quality:

WHAT THEY HAVE

ROOMS
• Coffee/tea facilities
• ‘Internet’ at a hefty $25 a day – no mention of Wi-Fi on the website – good luck!
• Mini-bar and water – all for a fee
• Ironing board and steam iron, safe, closet
• Air-conditioning
• Alarm clock
• Rooms look pokey on the website

RESTAURANTS AND BARS
• Cucina – Italian restaurant
• Armenia Brasserie – International (breakfast only)
• Scoop – Ice cream
• Cristal Bar&Lounge – lunch, dinner, drinks
• Meeting Point Cafe

LEISURE FACILITIES
• Gym
• Spa

BUSINESS FACILITIES
• 9 rooms, some huge
• No mention of Wi-fi

LOBBY
• Coffee and tea (I never saw it!)

• Opinion of Price: most expensive
• Address: 1 Amiryan Street · Yerevan, 0010 Armenia
• Phone: 374-10-599-000
• Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/evnmc-armenia-marriott-hotel-yerevan/
• Related to: Luxury Travel, Spa and Resort, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons
• Written August 24, 2012

THE ORNATE FACADE

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EREBUNI HOTEL - YEREVAN, ARMENIA: PERFECTLY PLACED

The Erebuni is almost right in Independence Square. It is essential joined to one of the 4 main building forming the square. You just turn left outside the entrance and the archway you go through is the square itself. The main Post Office just on the right as you enter the square. In terms of exploration and orientation – you are in the center of everything. Reception was friendly, the hotel is spotlessly clean and my room was great. They also do food, but I have seen a review where this is not recommended. With every bar and restaurant an easy walk nearby, this is a good base for everything you could need.

My room was good sized, had a comfortable bed, some toiletries, satellite TV with CNN, mini-bar and some other good amenities. It also had the most massive shower I have ever seen in a hotel and plenty of hot water.

This is an excellent choice for business people, anyone in Yerevan for a short time or anyone on a medium budget. Bizarrely they DO NOT take credit cards. They have seasonal rates, so you may want to review their website.

Unique Quality:

In the middle of everything in Yerevan, Armenia.

• Opinion of Price: about average
• Address: 26/1 Nalbandyan St., Republic Square, Yerevan 0010, Armenia
• Phone: +374 10 58 05 05
• Website: http://erebunihotel.am/
• Related to: Family Travel, Business Travel, Seniors
• Written June 11, 2012

EREBUNI HOTEL - YEREVAN

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PAREV INN (PAREV DOON): THE NICEST PLACE I NEVER STAYED AT !

I highly recommend that you stay with these super-nice folks. Do to an error on my part, I was not able to actually stay with them. When I showed up in Yerevan and rang them, I found out I had forgotten to email them my confirmation when I arrived in Yerevan. Within seconds they had negotiated a good hotel at the same rate. In effect they had taken swift and great care of me even though I did not end up being one of their guests.

Parev Inn is owned by a Canadian-Armenian couple and is near the Yeritasardakan Metro Station. They are easily contactable by email or telephone and, of course, speak English.

They are really nice and helped me when I really needed them.

Thanks nice Parev People!


PLEASE NOTE: These great pictures were actually provided to me by the folks at Parev. I told you they were nice!

Unique Quality:

They list as as standard:

European standard Bathrooms (no surprises), Air Conditioning, Refrigerator, Hair dryer, Soap & Shampoo, Rooms are cleaned everyday and the towels are changed. Bed Linen is changed every other day They do serve breakfast as well to get you off to a good start on your day.

• Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
• Phone: (3741) 55 55 43
• Website: http://www.parev.am/PICTURES/xMotel.html
• Related to: Backpacking, Family Travel, Budget Travel
• Written April 11, 2011

BRIGHT AND COLORFUL !

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