Hotel Mongolia Restaurant Pictures & Reviews (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia)
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After 3 weeks of travelling solo around mongolia and staying largely in ger camps, I decided to splash out for my final three days at Hotel Mongolia, advertised as Ulaanbattaar's only resort. On their website they advertised amenities such as a shop, small museum, a masseuse, day trips, three restuarants featuring excellent Asian cuisine, mini-naadam's put on for the guests, luxurious accommodation which included ensuite bath and satellite TV, and activities such as visits to nomadic families and horse riding, to name but a few. the reality was a far cry from the advert. I arrived from UB by taxi which cost 23,000 tg, about $20. I arrived at about 6 pm to an unlit complex completely in the middle of nowhere. The electricity was out, but there had been no effort to install makeshift lighting, torches, or candles or anything to light up the walkways to the various rooms spread throughout the complex. I was shown to my room, which superficially resembled the photographs on the website, except that there was only a shower and not a bath, a fairly minor point. Less so was the state of the very soiled carpets and swarms of flies in the room plus the empty fridge, which i eventually located in the cupboard beneath the TV, and the TV itself, which on all but the euronews continuous reel channel, displayed a 'no satellite signal' on every other channel. Oh, and no toilet paper in the loo. Being quite hungry after my 10 hour journey back to UB from Tsetserleg, I asked if the restaurant was open. They assured me that it was. However, a wedding reception was taking place there. The wedding party took up the entire some 250 capacity of the restaurant [one not 3 resturants, as advertised] and so i was put in an alcove, curtained off fromt he rest of the diners by a hospital like drape that completely encompassed me and my table. all that was available was soup, due to the lack of electricity and the wedding reception. I ddiscovered that I was the only guest at the hotel and that none of the activities avertised were actually on offer, apart from horse-riding which was arranged by the husband of one of the staff. I was told that my included breakfast would have to be taken in my room as I was the only guest, the hotel planning to close for the season in 2 days time, which was neither mentioned on the website or to me when I called to enquire about booking. I ordered pancakes and fruite and tea for the morning. What I received was coconut cake, a pot of tea but without sugar and tinned fruit cocktail, along with a few wedges of tired apple and orange. I used the syrup from the fruit cocktail as a sugar substitute for my tea but couldn't bring myself to eat coconut cake [presumably left over from the wedding reception]. The following night the only thing I could order was French fries - a giant plate at $4.50 - great if i had been a party of 6 but not a satisfying meal for one. My dishes from both breakfasts were still sitting outside my door where I had left them when I left after two nights. The room also had not been cleaned, evidenced by the little row of fly corpses along the baseboard where I had dispatched them as I eliminated their numbers using the shower floor mat. Under no circumstances would I ever wither go back to this place myself or recommend it to anyone else. Apart from the attempts from the receptionist to try and apologise, and the one horse ride with Url, the independent horseman who subcontracted the riding, this was a wasted part of my trip. It is a shame because obviously a great deal of money and effort had been invested at one time to create the physical physical facility and buildings and walkways, but unfortunately a lot more should have gone into maintenance, training of staff, and a general infrastructure to make the place the oasis that it purported to be.
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Room Tip: go to a different hotel
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
We arrived late in the evening and after the check in procedure we were asked at what time we want the breakfast.It seemed odd such a question but anyway we said we prefer at 9:30 am
About the room:very big but the carpet seems not to be cleaned in the last two years,the left door of the closet was literaly broken and all the TV channels were of unwatchable quality.
next day we went into the dining room at 9:30 and it was empty !!they put away all the dishes so in a broken Engkish they agreed to provide us with a "continental" breakfast instead of a buffet.No regrets or sincere appologies from the staff.
After the breakfast we inquired about a tour outside the city to visit the Telerj reserve.We were quoted 120$ per person.We accepted.AFter that the receptionist told us that the guide actualy is he himself.We asked if he knows history and other explanations and he said yes.To make the story short:we were taken to the places but no explanation on the way.The receptionist "guide" prefered to talk to his friend the driver.
In our correspondance with the hotel we were told that there is a shuttle from the hotel to the city (about 15 km far)When we asked about the shutle the receptionist did not know what we are talking about.I asked to call the person who confirmed us and what hapend was that the shutle actualy is a local mini bus whice transports the workers to and from the hotel and surroundings !
The other thing that we paid for and we not told was tha fact that the daily trip included the services of the driver till 8:00 pm !only after we again inquired we were told this fact.Again very frustrating.
In the evening we tried a dinner at the hotels restaurant.Although they had a wedding they asured us that we can eat there.Two out of three dishes we not available so we had to compromise on a dish we did not realy want to eat.Next thing that happend was when I asked for a cup of tea they brought me the water and the tea bag but when I oppend the bag I found insude it chewing gum and sugar !Again no appologies and I was charged for a new tea bag that I received.(I still have that tea bag )
The worst thing is still to come.Since my birthday was next day my wife supprised me by having breakfast in a ger with a glas of champaine.Not only did we have to remind the waiter about it.The same day we made check out paid the bill and after that paid also the 3$ for a small mineral water.I asked for an invoice and all I received was a yellow statment called fax and phone bill charges.No vat number or any other official documantation about our payment.
We took the "shutle " together with another 9 or 10 workers and the mini bus begans its jurney leaving the hotel.After about 200 meters we here that the bell boy from the hotel is shouting something and is running after the bus.The bus stops and after about 10 minutes we are told in front of all the workers that we did not pay the bill for the champainge.It was mostly humiliating and after another 10 minutes we talked to the person who authorised the complementary dring.Only after she told that to the bel boy and the fact was double checked with the hotel were we "relised" from this ordeal.
In the next days an official complaint will be sent to the ministry of tourism and the embassy representative.
About the room:very big but the carpet seems not to be cleaned in the last two years,the left door of the closet was literaly broken and all the TV channels were of unwatchable quality.
next day we went into the dining room at 9:30 and it was empty !!they put away all the dishes so in a broken Engkish they agreed to provide us with a "continental" breakfast instead of a buffet.No regrets or sincere appologies from the staff.
After the breakfast we inquired about a tour outside the city to visit the Telerj reserve.We were quoted 120$ per person.We accepted.AFter that the receptionist told us that the guide actualy is he himself.We asked if he knows history and other explanations and he said yes.To make the story short:we were taken to the places but no explanation on the way.The receptionist "guide" prefered to talk to his friend the driver.
In our correspondance with the hotel we were told that there is a shuttle from the hotel to the city (about 15 km far)When we asked about the shutle the receptionist did not know what we are talking about.I asked to call the person who confirmed us and what hapend was that the shutle actualy is a local mini bus whice transports the workers to and from the hotel and surroundings !
The other thing that we paid for and we not told was tha fact that the daily trip included the services of the driver till 8:00 pm !only after we again inquired we were told this fact.Again very frustrating.
In the evening we tried a dinner at the hotels restaurant.Although they had a wedding they asured us that we can eat there.Two out of three dishes we not available so we had to compromise on a dish we did not realy want to eat.Next thing that happend was when I asked for a cup of tea they brought me the water and the tea bag but when I oppend the bag I found insude it chewing gum and sugar !Again no appologies and I was charged for a new tea bag that I received.(I still have that tea bag )
The worst thing is still to come.Since my birthday was next day my wife supprised me by having breakfast in a ger with a glas of champaine.Not only did we have to remind the waiter about it.The same day we made check out paid the bill and after that paid also the 3$ for a small mineral water.I asked for an invoice and all I received was a yellow statment called fax and phone bill charges.No vat number or any other official documantation about our payment.
We took the "shutle " together with another 9 or 10 workers and the mini bus begans its jurney leaving the hotel.After about 200 meters we here that the bell boy from the hotel is shouting something and is running after the bus.The bus stops and after about 10 minutes we are told in front of all the workers that we did not pay the bill for the champainge.It was mostly humiliating and after another 10 minutes we talked to the person who authorised the complementary dring.Only after she told that to the bel boy and the fact was double checked with the hotel were we "relised" from this ordeal.
In the next days an official complaint will be sent to the ministry of tourism and the embassy representative.
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Room Tip: Don't approach this hotel !
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The Mongolia Hotel is a beautiful place to stay. But that's about it.
I have never seen such lack of care, respect and attention. We had problems from the beggining:
1- After 3 days on a train from russia, they were supposed to pick us up at the station. It was -3ºC and we waited for 40 minutes: NOBODY SHOWED UP.
2- The van service to downtown just doesn't work. They told us to wait at this bar at 21:00 and again, we waited for a freezing hour: NOBODY SHOWED UP.
3- There are no hot water sufficient for 2 showers. You have to wait for a while so the next person can use it.
Next day the manager said the van just passed at 19:00 instead that day (??????)
4- I used the laundry service. I took them way more than the 12 hours they said. And when I opened the plastic bags, the clothes were COMPLETELY WET and did not smell good.
5- Every night there were LOUD WEDDING PARTIES, so don't think that because it's far from the city that is a quiet place. It got to a point when a drunk woman just walked into our room.
6- The room cleaning wasn't very good either. One day there was a used teabag on the floor.
7- No internet connection for 2 days.
8- For our last day we had to check out at 7:15. We asked if the breakfast really started at 7 and they said: SURE, DON'T WORRY.
It was 7:10 and there was NOBODY at the restaurant. IT WAS CLOSED.
9- Finally, check out: when my husband did the check out they gave us a discount for all this complains and charged his credit card. Just when I came back home I noticed they charged my card, the one I used for reservation too. SO THEY TOOK U$ 360 EXTRA.
When contacting the manager, who speaks poor english, she kept saying for months they were gonna find a way to pay us back. Last time I called (i keep paying the distance calls), she doesn't work at the hotel anymore and the new manager couldn't care less either - never replied my emails. TO END THIS TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE, THEY STOLE OUR MONEY.
I have never seen such lack of care, respect and attention. We had problems from the beggining:
1- After 3 days on a train from russia, they were supposed to pick us up at the station. It was -3ºC and we waited for 40 minutes: NOBODY SHOWED UP.
2- The van service to downtown just doesn't work. They told us to wait at this bar at 21:00 and again, we waited for a freezing hour: NOBODY SHOWED UP.
3- There are no hot water sufficient for 2 showers. You have to wait for a while so the next person can use it.
Next day the manager said the van just passed at 19:00 instead that day (??????)
4- I used the laundry service. I took them way more than the 12 hours they said. And when I opened the plastic bags, the clothes were COMPLETELY WET and did not smell good.
5- Every night there were LOUD WEDDING PARTIES, so don't think that because it's far from the city that is a quiet place. It got to a point when a drunk woman just walked into our room.
6- The room cleaning wasn't very good either. One day there was a used teabag on the floor.
7- No internet connection for 2 days.
8- For our last day we had to check out at 7:15. We asked if the breakfast really started at 7 and they said: SURE, DON'T WORRY.
It was 7:10 and there was NOBODY at the restaurant. IT WAS CLOSED.
9- Finally, check out: when my husband did the check out they gave us a discount for all this complains and charged his credit card. Just when I came back home I noticed they charged my card, the one I used for reservation too. SO THEY TOOK U$ 360 EXTRA.
When contacting the manager, who speaks poor english, she kept saying for months they were gonna find a way to pay us back. Last time I called (i keep paying the distance calls), she doesn't work at the hotel anymore and the new manager couldn't care less either - never replied my emails. TO END THIS TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE, THEY STOLE OUR MONEY.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Both my partner an I were really disappointed with our stay at the Hotel Mongolia after we booked the "Romantic Package", and rather than stay the two nights we booked, we left after one.
While our room was nice, the service was poor to say the least. As there was an event planned for that night we were told that we were not allowed to eat in the main restaurant, and that instead we would have some food brought to us in our rooms (we had no say on what this food might be). This is fair enough if you are staying a a cheap hotel, but by Mongolian standards $80 per night is high. When we asked if we would be able to eat in the bar area, we were told that that bar was being refurbished, so we would have to stay in our rooms.
The lighting in the room was dingy, so reading was out. The "satellite TV" didn't work, the DVD rental idea is pretty pointless as we didn't have a DVD player.
It is also worth pointing out that every bit of information had to extracted from a very under qualified receptionist, we didn't get the room we had requested, and if you look at the hotel's website they boast numerous facilities...not one of these were available.
This experience wouldn't have been so poor had we been in a city centre hotel. Neither myself or my partner ever eat in the Hotel's restaurant as we prefer to go out and explore. However we we 25km of rough Mongolian roads away from the city.
Together with this we were kept awake until 2am by thumping drum and bass music ....not quite the romantic package we had in mind.
While we saw some people staying in the hotel on business, we didn't see any other tourists. For me this hotel isn't geared towards tourism, and is merely a complex for business functions, weddings and the business traveller.
While our room was nice, the service was poor to say the least. As there was an event planned for that night we were told that we were not allowed to eat in the main restaurant, and that instead we would have some food brought to us in our rooms (we had no say on what this food might be). This is fair enough if you are staying a a cheap hotel, but by Mongolian standards $80 per night is high. When we asked if we would be able to eat in the bar area, we were told that that bar was being refurbished, so we would have to stay in our rooms.
The lighting in the room was dingy, so reading was out. The "satellite TV" didn't work, the DVD rental idea is pretty pointless as we didn't have a DVD player.
It is also worth pointing out that every bit of information had to extracted from a very under qualified receptionist, we didn't get the room we had requested, and if you look at the hotel's website they boast numerous facilities...not one of these were available.
This experience wouldn't have been so poor had we been in a city centre hotel. Neither myself or my partner ever eat in the Hotel's restaurant as we prefer to go out and explore. However we we 25km of rough Mongolian roads away from the city.
Together with this we were kept awake until 2am by thumping drum and bass music ....not quite the romantic package we had in mind.
While we saw some people staying in the hotel on business, we didn't see any other tourists. For me this hotel isn't geared towards tourism, and is merely a complex for business functions, weddings and the business traveller.
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Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
After staying in the Gobi desert Geht Kamp, with very basic comforts, this is a great surprise.
Very big, luxury a comfortable Gehr tents with privaye bathroom.
Great lobby an restaurant in traditional architecture, with amazing views.
Food good be a bit better, buy what the xxxxx it's Mongolia.
Get laid back and enjoy the best.
Very big, luxury a comfortable Gehr tents with privaye bathroom.
Great lobby an restaurant in traditional architecture, with amazing views.
Food good be a bit better, buy what the xxxxx it's Mongolia.
Get laid back and enjoy the best.
Read more
Read less
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.