Charlak Otel

The staff at reception could be quicker and friendlier. A few times, guests were left waiting, and it happened to me too. I'd ask something, they looked busy, then answered two or three minutes later. The first time, I got fed up and walked away before they replied. I still had a pleasant stay and didn't run into many problems. The restaurant was large, dinner was good and reasonably priced, and breakfast was decent even though there wasn't much choice. The hotel also has a bar, gym, and indoor pool, which impressed me. At first, the bright white lobby and grand, modern exterior made a strong impression. My room was spacious, but the red carpet looked dated. The bed was okay, though the pillows were too soft. There were plenty of power outlets, including one by the bed for charging my phone. The air conditioning didn't seem to work well, so they had put another air cooler in the room.

The room had a great view, especially at sunrise over the Caspian Sea. From outside the hotel looks grand, but the rooms feel dated. There was no kettle or water in the room, and hot water had to be paid for at the cafe inside the hotel.

You can top up a Turkmen mobile phone at reception. The food is passable, though breakfast may not suit European tastes very well. The rooms are clean but quite bare, and the TV reception is poor. The hotel feels outdated and a bit worn, while WiFi really only works in the lobby and on the lower floors.

Reception staff can be friendly, but the Charlak is poor overall. There are no tea or coffee making facilities in the rooms. Upkeep is lacking: bedside lamps may have dangerous wiring, and most baths leak onto the floor. Rooms are often not very clean, many mattresses are worn out, and the pillows often smell of sweat. Breakfast is extremely basic and tasteless.