Stayed at this property for three nights in October. Absolutely no wow factor. Have to concur with many posters on this forum with regards to hot water (always scalding), location, and extremely small rooms for a "5" star hotel. Very obvious in architecture that this was a former Soviet hotel. As far as service, there was little interaction with any of the staff. Staff seemed shy and distant, maybe it was a language problem, maybe just a cultural thing, not sure. Extremely small rooms (we had 2) were not that clean, moldy bathrooms, carpets were extremely filthy. Both did need a good vacuuming, requests for such were ignored. Walls are paper thin. I could hear the occupants of the rooms on both sides of my room all night long. Apparently request for non smoking room was honored, however rooms next to me had chain smoking occupants and the smoke constantly permeated into mine, so I might as well have been in a smoking room. Internet (wlan) did work fine. Breakfast was nothing special, very meagre selections. In the US or Europe this would definitely be a 2-3 star hotel and not the 5 star they advertise everywhere. There is a new Shangri La opening late next year. Perhaps this will provide some needed competition and force this property to make changes to compete in the 5 star category.

Iwasn't able to book using the hotel's own webste, so I had to contact a local travel agent in UB. Overall, I think tat this property is trying hard to boost its image/customer service. I arrived late at night and was welcomed by both a uniformed bellhop and a nice front desk staffperson. Standard single rooms are small, but contain most modcons. TV with BBC and Bloomberg, in addition to several Russian and Chinese channels. Electronic safe was nice, as was well stocked bathroom. All positives. Negatives: Window was broken. Completely unhinged from its frame and almost fell in on me. WIFI wouldn't work no matter how hard I tried. Bath/shower only had one water temp for most of the day, scalding hot. Twice during my stay there were power outages. For this the hotel provides each room with a flashlight.
Breakfast is nothing to write home about, with the main problem that staff wouldn't replenish regularly.

Location is great. Walking distance to most everything. rade and Developement Bank across the street (in what looks like a large house) is convenient for money exchange and has an ATM that takes foreign cards. Park located directly out front is fine during the day, but at night is pitch dark. Hotel provides transfer service to the airport for USD25.

Busines cetner staf very helpful. PC"s with internet for 4USD per hour. On site convenience store sells sodas and water for reasonable prices.

Everybody should have been in a former soviet hotel...
The boring face of the building, the long dark corridors, etc.

We stayed here for two separate nights (before/after visiting a yurt camp in Terelj National Park...great experience!).

The location is great...despite the burnt out building next to the hotel. The main square can be reached in 5min. Don't take the short cut through the park at night, as there are hanging around some people, you don't want to meet. ;)

The first night we got a room upgrade, as no standard rooms were available. The only difference to the second room was the modern bathroom and a little more space. Both rooms were clean but old.

Don't expect a five star hotel...only the service is five star like.

The breakfast was meagre...the only highlight was the omelette, that was cooked in front of you.

There is free internet (approximately 200kb/s) via LAN (wlan access points were seeable, but hotel stuff said, they wouldn't work)

I'm a corporate pilot, and see the whole world with the guy i fly for. I realize not everything is perfect, especially in poorer countries. But this place stinks. It is touted at a 5 star hotel, but, it's bad. They do not vacuum the rooms. I'm here fo 6 days, and not once. I finally had to ask the girl, who had the heave a big vacuum up the stairs. The milk is sour or spoiled in the restaurant. and the place is just damp and nasty. It's something out of the communist block.

I've been told that there are better hotels for cheaper by the locals. I guess the "shinzin" or something is better.

As far as good stuff goes, the internet is fast, and it's in the middle of everything. Unfortunately, when we were there, the communist party just stole the election, and there was riots and looting. Nothing like a good riot to make you rethink what's important in your life eh?

George

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