This is a hard review to write - part of me wants to give it two stars, but in the end, I have settled for three. We booked this hotel knowing it was a training hotel, so we went there knowing that we might need to be patient on a few things. The pluses? The hotel was in a fantastic location in the old city. The rooms were clean and modern. The AC worked. The price was very reasonable in an expensive city. The negatives? Well, the young guy working at the desk (the only guy we saw there except for one of the days) spoke abysmal English and could not understand the most basic of requests, including "toilet not working. No flush" We later found out he is an English tutor - which is a bit troubling, but none of our business I suppose. The plumbing - as previously mentioned - was problematic. The toilet made an unimaginably loud "roar" deep somewhere in the pipes, about 2 minutes after flushing, and completely gave up the ghost 2 days into our stay, forcing us to use the tiny closet sized toilet on the first floor until we were able to figure out how to fix the chain inside the tank on our own. The breakfast was unacceptable - completely. We ended up going to one of the cheap and delicious Turkish bakeries for breakfast, because the hotel served yogurt - left out in the August heat and thus curdled - and a plate of ham and processed cheese (the kind wrapped in plastic) covered in flies - there was only bread on one of our 4 mornings. The two women working there (why it took two women to put out processed meats and cheese, I have no idea) greeted us with stares before going to get a pot of water and two tea bags. Terrible, terrible breakfast. Lastly, when we asked them to call a cab for my early morning flight to Paris, the guy at the desk who did speak English called his friend up to come and take me. He was on time, but informed me that he had almost "forgotten" which made me think that I would have been in deep trouble had he indeed forgotten, as it was 4:00 in the morning. I was a bit annoyed at first, because I was not leaving with my husband, who ended up coming with us to the airport, as I did not feel comfortable as a female getting a ride from an unofficial taxi. In the end it worked out because my husband was able to strike up a great deal with this guy on the way back to the hotel - taking him out to the Abseron peninsula, etc. for way less that most taxi companies would ask - and he turned out to be a pretty nice guy. But I still found it odd that a hotel would not call a proper taxi when you request it.

All in all, I guess I went with a three because the AC worked and I got a couple of really good sleeps in the hotel - not to mention its choice location in the old city. But when others say you need a sense of humour, that's an understatement. We've stayed at everything from yurts, to hostels, to college dorms to 5 star hotels, so this was right in the middle. But if you are not so adventurous in your hotel choices, try another hotel. This is fine for people who don't expect much other than a clean and comfortable place to sleep at night. So with that in mind, I would recommend it to a friend on the basis that a friend would probably have the same approach to travel as we do. To a stranger? No, I would not recommend it.

I had not realised that it was a training hotel, but this actually answers our questions about the service.

We had rooms on the second floor, but no help to carry our bags up - finally, one of the young men took a shine to one of my daughters and helped her. Steps are steep, and really quite an issue.

The rooms were very variable; number 9 ir pretty basic, but 10 and 11 are bigger with great views. Air conditioning was important in Baku in August, and didn't work so well in our room (number 9!)

Friendly, in an Azeri way, fabulously located, but the stairs are steep, and breakfast is served on the top floor. Without young(ish) legs, it could be a struggle.

The Old City Inn is a nice place to stay in Baku. You have to be aware, that this is a training hotel of the university. So sometimes, things are not working perfectly. But with a good sense of humor, everything can be solved and the "staff" is very motivated. One morning we helped with the breakfast, but that definatelly was an exception. The quality of breakfast was quite poor anyway. We also had to remind staff to bring more toilet paper. But apart from that, it was really a nice stay in a centrally located hotel, from which you can reach al places of interest in walking distance. The internet connection was also ok.

I highly recommend the cozy Old City Inn to anyone staying in Baku. The location is unbeatable: In the heart of the old town, 5 walking minutes to fine restaurants, the Nizami museum, shopping area, Maiden Tower and seaside Boulevard. The area is quiet and safe.

The 15 pleasant and clean rooms are equipped with what you may expect, and even more: tea bags and tea/coffee maker for free, hair dryer, TV with roughly 20 channels (including US, British, German and Italian channels), filled up minibar (I've stayed in a 4 star hotel in Baku were the minibar was empty) and phone. They are not huge, but big enough.

The staff is friendly and hospitable and wants to make your stay as comfortable as possible. English is spoken.

The breakfast is Continental and according to the hotel category (3 stars)

Overall, great value for your money!

It offers a small Business Center, but lacks swimming pool+sporting facilities. If you can live without them and rather stay in a welcoming place, then the Old City Inn is the place for you.

The Manager answers your mails within a day: (-)oldcityinn(-) or phone: +994 12 4974 369

I would definitely stay in the Old City Inn again.

Jamesine