Villa Kars Mini-Hotel

**2022 update:** I first reviewed this place in 2017, but I'm changing my rating to 3 stars. The compound is still lovely, and spending time in the courtyard is very pleasant. But the single rooms we used before have been turned into doubles, so they're cramped, and the prices are far too high for these conditions. There are other good places in the city center that offer better value. **Original review:** I stayed one night at this wonderful boutique hotel in the old city, within walking distance of the sights. The Italian man who runs it came to help after the 1988 earthquake and stayed. He bought the buildings, restored them and the courtyard, and made Villa Kars. It's a lovely example of traditional Gyumri architecture, and the rooms have interesting furnishings. I'd recommend staying here.

The buildings are beautiful, but the rooms weren't well maintained. We were four adults who booked two double rooms and were given two apartments. The heating didn't work at all in one, and the toilet was very dirty. In the other, the heat was stuck at 27 degrees and couldn't be turned down; the shower also hadn't been cleaned for a while. We asked an employee twice about the extreme heat, but got no response. He obviously knew it wasn't working. Such a pity for a lovely place.

Our room was cozy and comfortable, and breakfast was delicious. It's an authentic, beautiful hotel with a unique atmosphere, within walking distance of the historical downtown.

I couldn't sleep at all because there was noise all night, and the staff didn't respond to our requests. I've never stayed somewhere this awful. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Sleeping on a bench outside would be better.