Hotel Ajour

The ladies who managed the place were genuinely lovely, warm in their own way. We often needed a translator to communicate, though. They could seem stern or distant at times, but I think that's mostly cultural. With their former Soviet/Russian background, they may not be the overly smiley or outwardly approachable type, and I don't take that as rudeness. I'm sure they're kind people at heart. It probably comes down to the language barrier and different ways of expressing warmth. The building was clearly older and quite far from the city center. On our second night, the poor soundproofing became obvious: what I'd generously call a PG-rated moment carried through the hallway, like an accidental evening performance across the floor. I assume the walls were thin. It was funny all the same, and definitely a first for me in a hotel.

The employees don't speak English and had a very bad attitude. They don't seem to have a system or communicate with each other, and checking in felt like an investigation. Worst hotel ever.

The location is very far from the city center, and communication was a barrier. The staff don't speak basic English, and the front desk wasn't friendly even when I greeted them. The room is good enough for a budget tourist, but the bathroom had no toilet tissues, and the bath towel was tiny or missing. The walls are so thin you can hear people talking in other rooms. During my stay, I heard people in the next room having sex loudly for more than an hour. Breakfast was very bad and service very poor: a slice of bread, an egg, two slices of cucumber, a cup of coffee, and a sausage. Lastly, I don't recommend this hotel for travelers. I believe it may suit locals since they don't speak English.

The breakfast was a real highlight for us. There was a good range of food, it tasted great, and other guests seemed to enjoy it too. The team were also lovely, always welcoming and happy to help, which made us feel at home. Ajour Hotel is well placed for getting around the city and reaching the sights and transport. We had a memorable stay and would be glad to come back.