Urban Hotel Baku

The location was the one real positive, it's ideal. But reaching the hotel means climbing a very long outdoor staircase, five storeys high. Our room was tiny, with one small window and no curtains, so strong daylight woke us at 6 am and we couldn't get back to sleep. We visited in the hot season and used the AC, but the only blanket they gave us was too short for me, even though I'm 157 cm tall. My husband didn't use it, and when we asked for another, they said they had none. We also had trouble getting our credit card accepted through the booking site, even though I use it elsewhere. It kept being declined, and in the end we had to pay the property directly.

After waiting two hours, the receptionist called to say our booking was cancelled because of maintenance. We hadn't been allowed to check in early since the rooms were supposedly full, which we understood, so we went out to explore after a long flight. They did keep our luggage, which was kind, but wouldn't even let us use the restroom, saying it was for staff only. This was truly disappointing and has never happened to us before. The hotel is in the city center, but getting there involved climbing five floors of stairs, and the signboards weren't clear. We arrived a couple of hours before check-in and were told the time had changed to 3 p.m. as of 01st May 2025. Our booking said check-in was allowed at 2 p.m. The receptionist blamed Booking.com for not updating us, saying they'd changed their information. I don't believe that explanation.

The staff were kind and classy, and the rooms were clean and really good for the price. Don't hesitate to book. You do have to climb lots of stairs to reach the entrance, but it isn't a big deal.

The place itself has nice, clean rooms, good-quality furniture, and a pleasant atmosphere. The location is fantastic, right in the center of Nizami St. They do a very good job keeping the room clean, and there are useful amenities like a large refrigerator and washing machine. I do wish there were a dryer, since getting clothes dry became a hassle. The main drawback is the stairs: the hotel is five floors up, and this wasn't clearly stated on Booking.com, where I only saw photos. It's not suitable for visitors who can't climb that many floors. The signage was unclear too, so it was a bit of a nightmare finding the place. Most staff were very good, and the receptionist who helped us with luggage at check-in was wonderful and did as much as he could. But the manager was extremely rude. With no bellboy, I had to carry the luggage down five floors. It also seems absurd that the lobby bathroom is staff-only, something I've never encountered at a hotel. The manager is the reason I gave three stars. Otherwise, this would be a strong four.