Hotel Radisson Blu Yerevan 5*

The view from our room was nice, and the location was alright, near Mother of Yerevan. But getting to the center means a taxi or about a 45-minute walk. We checked in around 3 in the morning and couldn’t sleep because staff and cleaners were talking loudly in the lobby and bar. We called reception twice; each time they quieted down for a few minutes, then started again. We were on the second floor and could hear them clearly. The furniture was in poor shape, with coffee stains around the place, including on the table, carpet, and in the toilet. Breakfast didn’t offer many options. The staff didn’t seem professional or trained for hospitality. This doesn’t feel like a five-star hotel; being generous, I’d call it four-star, and even the service doesn’t meet that level. I’m absolutely disappointed and wouldn’t suggest spending your money here.

The hotel is uphill and hard to get around on foot. Around holidays, finding a taxi can be impossible, or the fare gets extremely expensive. I’d choose an Ibis in the city center or an Airbnb if I came back. The pool and sauna were the only things that made the place feel remotely five-star. The entrance staff weren’t friendly or helpful. We booked a double room as a couple, but got twin beds pushed together with a single sheet on top, and there was a constant shortage of towels. Guests can’t change the room temperature either, and ours was too hot. The café served low-quality food at very high prices. I’d never return to this disrespectful place.

The pool and jacuzzi were very good, and there are both wet and dry saunas. Breakfast was plentiful and good quality, with lots of options, including regular and local omelettes. The lobby and breakfast staff were really friendly. Room cleaning was good, and the rooms are big enough for two, though they need some renovation. Overall, acceptable. There’s a gym, but it’s small and very limited. I didn’t train there; it only had basic equipment and light dumbbells, nothing serious. There’s also a restaurant on the 7th floor. The hotel is a little outside the city center, and reaching the center means walking lots of stairs. There’s an escalator for part of the way, but you still have to climb the rest yourself. Yerevan is a small city, though, so you can take a taxi anywhere from the hotel.

We asked reception to bring extra water, and the staff member said they’d already sent our water for the day and couldn’t send more. We said we understood the rule and suggested they bring it after 10 minutes, once it was past midnight and counted as the next day. He still said no, and told us they could only send water in the morning. If we wanted it sooner, we’d have to buy it through room service. That would mean paying extra to get water. It was a very unusual experience for me at a hotel anywhere. We respected the rule, but I decided to cancel the rest of our booking the next morning. Disappointing hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel Yerevan.