Review of Oldcity Inn Hotel, Baku, Azerbaijan
I recently stayed at the Oldcity Inn Hotel in Baku, located in the heart of the historical Old City. While the location is undeniably charming, right in the center of Baku’s historical landmarks, my experience left much to be desired.
Pros:
Location: The hotel is situated in the very center of Baku's historical Old City, which offers a unique atmosphere with its ancient architecture and cultural significance.
Reception Staff: The staff at the reception were incredibly friendly and welcoming. I liked the girl at the hotel reception, who was very kind with the cat. The hotel had a very cute cat, who came into the hotel in the evening and left in the morning. However, despite their kindness, they were unable to provide much help with guest problems such as transportation and logistics.
Cons:
Cleanliness: The hotel did not provide daily cleaning services, which was disappointing and below the standards I expect from any accommodation.
Accessibility Issues:
Check-in/Check-out Stress: My biggest issue was with the overall experience of entering and leaving the Old City area. Police and security guards surround the area with barriers, preventing taxis or any other transportation from entering without paying bribes. Tourists are forced to carry their heavy luggage for 2-3 kilometers, which is incredibly difficult, especially after long flights.
After an hour of negotiation and paying a 12 AZN bribe (with no receipt or clear explanation), I was finally allowed to enter the area. Similarly, during checkout, the police fined a taxi driver 100 AZN just for waiting outside the Old City to pick me up. This created an extremely stressful situation that overshadowed the beauty of the location.
Corruption and Mismanagement:
The corruption among local police and security guards was shocking and disappointing. Tourists are regularly stopped and extorted for bribes, making the experience feel hostile and unwelcoming.
There were no clear guidelines on how tourists are supposed to manage transportation in and out of the Old City, and no support from the hotel or authorities on this matter.
Conclusion:
While the Old City is undeniably a historical gem, I cannot recommend staying at the Oldcity Inn Hotel or any other accommodation within this area due to the severe accessibility challenges, the corrupt practices of local authorities, and the overall stress it creates for tourists. If you plan to visit Baku, I suggest staying outside the Old City and visiting the area during the day to enjoy its history without dealing with these logistical nightmares.
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