The Radisson Group’s first property in Azerbaijan opened last May. A 30-minute drive from Heydar Aliyev airport in Baku, the four-star hotel is located alongside the stunning Milli Park waterfront.
A family-friendly property, it costs less than half to stay here than at both the Hilton next door, as well as the InterContinental one street up.
The welcome
Language can be a barrier in Baku, but the reception staff at the property are well-versed and tackle most queries without fear of miscommunication. Of the two rooms my family of four booked, one was ready well before the official 3pm check-in time, and luggage service was prompt, too.
The neighbourhood
This is perhaps the hotel’s strongest USP. The century-old Baku promenade, located a footbridge away, is a hubbub of activity, with cutesy cafes, lush green spaces, picturesque carousels and a carpet museum all popping up alongside the waterfront stretch.
Park Bulvar Mall, located directly opposite the hotel, has a multi-cuisine food court, bank and money exchange services, and a massive and inexpensive children’s play area (an hour-long session in the soft-play section costs about Dh10).
Old Town is a 20-minute walk, Highland Park takes 30, while the idyllic cafes, pub crawl haunts and nightclubs of Nizami Street can be reached within 15 minutes on foot. The only time we needed a taxi was to and from the airport, but that could be down to the cool-bordering-on-cold weather at the end of March.
The room
We stayed in connecting Sea View rooms, convenient when you’re travelling with children. Each room is not overly capacious at 23 square metres, but is still a well-appointed space with all the necessities: a wardrobe with an ironing board; a study table and chair; a side table and plush armchair; a full-length mirror; and a telly.
It’s decorous, too. Views of the glittering Caspian Sea aside, the space has framed black and white posters of Old Baku, while pendant lights in matte black hang tastefully on either side of the bed, and the headboard matches the trunk-style wood finish of the wardrobe.
Tip: Ask for a second duvet if you’re sharing the bed as the queen bed registers even the slightest movement.
The bathroom – complete with a hygiene hose – has hand and rain showers (but no tub), and Radisson-branded toiletries.
The scene
The hotel was busy, but not bursting, with a near-equal split between families (mainly Russian-speaking) and groups of friends (mainly male, and from India and the UAE).
The property has a gym but no pool. Its second level is dedicated to business travellers, with well-equipped meeting and conference rooms and computer stations. Night owls will appreciate the hotel’s 24-hour room service.
The food
The smoked veal (a highlight of the breakfast menu) was tender enough to slice through with a butter knife; the French toast, bizarrely, was not. The rest of the buffet-style menu at the hotel's sole restaurant Lagom was classic and expansive. Eggs, sausages, waffles, baked beans and a bread section ensured we were energised enough to take on the day. The cheeses and dips deserve a shout-out, too, for sheer variety (cream cheese, salty local variants, Gouda, crumbled cottage cheese, sour cream and some of the best hummus I’ve eaten) and freshness of taste.
From the main menu, we only sampled an excellent pan-fried chicken and a basic, but well-executed pasta with oodles of Parmesan for the baby.
The service
This is a tricky one to encapsulate. On the one hand, all the staff we encountered in person – even the ones who did not speak much English – were efficient, brisk and helpful. The housekeeping, however, was sorely lacking.
Shower caps and other vanity items were not replaced once over our four-night stay, despite a special request to do so; clean towels were provided, but the old ones not picked up off the floor; and an uneaten welcome pastry with sliced bananas stayed in our room from day one to day five. It was all rather basic clearing up, and all the more bizarre for the lack of it.
Highs and lows
Given how warm and helpful all the staff seemed (thereby enhancing our experience in various ways), the tardy housekeeping was bemusing.
Insider tip
Have the reception staff order and negotiate for local taxis on your behalf.
The verdict
The price and location make this property a clear winner in its category. The tariff at the Hilton next door as well as the InterContinental two streets are more than double. Just carry your own shower cap.
The bottom line
Standard rooms start from Dh400, including breakfast and tax.
For more information, visit www.radissonhotels.com
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
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Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List
James Mustich, Workman
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Fourth-round clashes for British players
- Andy Murray (1) v Benoit Paire, Centre Court (not before 4pm)
- Johanna Konta (6) v Caroline Garcia (21), Court 1 (4pm)
Takreem Awards winners 2021
Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)
Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)
Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)
Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)
Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)
Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)
Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Brief scores:
Huesca 0
Real Madrid 1
Bale 8'
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
Match info
Karnataka Tuskers 110-3
J Charles 35, M Pretorius 1-19, Z Khan 0-16
Deccan Gladiators 111-5 in 8.3 overs
K Pollard 45*, S Zadran 2-18
