Merida Hotel Baku Baku Azerbaijan

Merida Hotel Baku: Your Luxurious Azerbaijani Escape Awaits!

Merida Hotel Baku: My Azerbaijani Dream… Almost! (A Brutally Honest Review)

Okay, so, Merida Hotel Baku. The promise? "Your Luxurious Azerbaijani Escape Awaits!" The reality? Well, let’s just say it was a damn good time with a few hiccups along the way. Let’s dive DEEP, shall we? SEO be damned, I’m going to be REAL.

Accessibility: (The Good, the Weird, and the "Hmm…")

Alright, gotta start serious. My initial scan for wheelchair accessibility looked good! Elevator, check. Some accessible rooms, check. Public areas seem relatively easy to navigate. BUT, I’m not a wheelchair user, so I always feel a bit… hesitant to declare “perfect.” (I’ve seen those claims before and then…oof.) I’d definitely contact them directly before booking if accessibility is crucial to you, and ask VERY specific questions. They seem to be trying, which is a HUGE plus compared to many places.

Rooms: (Luxury… with a Side of Quirks)

Picture this: you've just arrived, jet-lagged, and dying for a decent shower. THAT is the moment you discover the "luxurious" aspect of the rooms. Air conditioning that actually WORKS (a win!), a HUGE, comfy bed, blackout curtains (Hallelujah!), and a seriously plush bathrobe. I’m talking, sink-into-it, want-to-live-in-it plush. BUT… the lighting! OH. MY. GOODNESS. The lighting! It was like they'd hired a sadist to design it. Too dim, or harsh, never just right. And the "high floor" I requested? Well, I got a floor, alright. The first floor. Thanks for that! (They did bring me two free bottles of water to make up for it, so… maybe I wasn't that upset).

Internet Access: (Yay Wi-Fi, Boo… Maybe LAN?)

Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? YES! Praise the internet gods! And it was generally reliable. Now, the "Internet access – LAN"? Honestly, I didn’t even try to use it. Who has time for wired internet anymore? (Unless you’re a serious gamer, in which case, you probably know more about this than I do.)

Things to Do & Ways to Relax: (Spa, Gym, and the Price of Bliss)

Okay, this is where Merida really shines. Their spa is a dream. I went twice. Twice! Their pool with a view is truly stunning. The only issue? That price tag. Massages? Amazing. Body wraps? Decadent. Sauna? Steamroom? YES. YES. YES. It's the kind of place you could easily lose a day to, just floating around in bathrobes (which again, are divine). The fitness center? Perfectly functional, if a little… well… standard. I didn't linger. I'm on vacation! I had foot bath, but the water was too hot. Still good.

Dining, Drinking & Snacking: (Buffets, Bars, and Baku's Flavors)

Let's be honest, food can make or break a trip. The breakfast buffet (Western and Asian options!) was actually pretty good. The coffee was decent, and the pastries were dangerously tempting. I could see myself easily overeating there. The restaurants offered both international and Asian cuisine. The food was generally excellent, although a little on the pricier side. I did try a salad one day, and this one was okay. The poolside bar was a great place to unwind with a cocktail after a day of sightseeing (or spa-ing). Happy hour? Essential.

Cleanliness and Safety: (COVID-19 and Beyond)

This is where Merida really impressed me… during the pandemic. Daily disinfection, individually-wrapped food, hand sanitizer everywhere, stuff! It felt safe. I appreciated all that. They even had doctor/nurse on call, which, hey, nice to know.

Services and Conveniences: (From Currency Exchange to… a Shrine?)

Okay, prepare yourself. Currency exchange, doorman, daily housekeeping, laundry service, luggage storage – all the standard stuff. Very efficient. They had a convenience store on-site, which was handy for last-minute snacks or essentials. They have a Shrine? I have no idea. I don't know what sort of a shrine it would be. I did not encounter it. I also loved that there were facilities for disabled guests It also provided an Invoice

For the Kids: (Babysitting and… Well, That’s It?)

Family/child friendly is a good description. I did not have a child with me, but I observed some families there, and they seemed comfortable and happy. Babysitting service is available, which is a huge plus for parents.

Getting Around: (Airport Transfer, Parking, and the Baku Hustle)

Airport transfer? Yes! Book it. Makes life SO much easier. Free car park on-site, which is always a bonus. Taxi service readily available.

My Merida Moment (The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Bathroom Lighting)

The best moment? The amazing massage I got in the spa, followed by an hour of lounging by the pool with a view. I felt like a pampered queen. The worst moment? That bathroom lighting. And the fact that, no matter who I asked, no one could tell me where exactly the shrine was.

My Emotional Reaction?

Mostly positive! Annoyed about the lighting and the slight lack of true "luxury” in some areas, but I am still in love with the place.

The "Almost Perfect" Breakdown:

Positives: Fantastic spa, comfortable rooms, great location, generally attentive staff, good food, awesome Wi-Fi.
Negatives: A few small issues with the room, some expensive, not every corner is perfect
Quirks: I still don't know about the shrine and the bathroom lighting is like a practical joke.

The Verdict: Would I Recommend Merida Hotel Baku?

YES. Absolutely. Despite the occasional hiccups, it’s a wonderful base for exploring Baku. It's luxurious enough to feel special, but not so stuffy that you can't relax. Book it. And then, go find the shrine. And tell me what it's like.

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Authentic Azerbaijani Charm: Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Baku, with easy access to historic sites, bustling markets, and delectable local cuisine.
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Merida Hotel Baku Baku Azerbaijan

Alright, buckle up, buttercups. We're going to Merida Hotel Baku, Azerbaijan. And trust me, this isn't going to be your pristine, perfectly-formatted travel blog post. This is going to be a chaotic, slightly-panicked, and possibly wine-fueled descent into Baku. Here we go…

Merida Hotel Baku: A Whirlwind Adventure (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Absurd)

Day 1: Arrival and the Shock of the Baku Heat (and the Airport Smells)

10:00 AM (ish) - Landing in Baku: Okay, first off, Azerbaijan. Never thought I'd be here. Booked the trip because, well, life's short, and I was craving something…different. Stepping off the plane, the first thing you notice is the HEAT. My glasses immediately fogged up. The second? The distinct, slightly-funky aroma of… something. I’m pretty sure it was a combination of exhaust fumes, the Caspian Sea, and a hint of questionable airport food. Charming.
11:00 AM - Taxi Tango: Getting a taxi felt like negotiating a hostage situation. The drivers were circling, vultures eyeing their prey. “Mister! Taxi! You want taxi?!” I finally caved to a guy who promised "best price." He then proceeded to drive like he was auditioning for a Fast and Furious movie. Honestly, I closed my eyes a few times. Arrived at Merida Hotel, somehow still alive.
12:00 PM - Check-in and the Room Reveal: The Merida. It looks…okay. Decently luxurious. The lobby is fancy, all marble and chandeliers. The room? Well, it was nice… until I tried to open the window. Stuck. Apparently, Baku's a city of air conditioning. Fine by me. The view, however, was surprisingly lovely – overlooking a busy street, but with a glimpse of the Caspian shimmering in the distance.
1:00 PM - Lunch (and My First Culinary Adventure): Headed out, famished. Found a tiny, hole-in-the-wall place nearby. The menu was in Azerbaijani. Pointed at a dish that looked vaguely like meat and potatoes. Turns out, it was basically heaven on a plate. Slow-cooked lamb stew, fluffy potatoes, and something that tasted like sun-drenched tomatoes. This is what I call a win.
2:00 PM - Exploring the Old City (Icheri Sheher) and the "Wandering Tourist" Look: Decided to brave the heat and explore. The Old City is a maze of cobblestone streets, ancient walls, and hidden courtyards. Lost myself immediately. And loved it. It’s so much easier to "get lost" in these situations, and you find much more. Found the Maiden Tower (impressive!), and Palace of the Shirvanshahs (a bit overwhelming with all the history). The architecture is stunning. I definitely took way too many photos. Tourists can be annoying, but I'm totally part of the problem.
6:00 PM - Dinner and the "Aperitif" That Became a Full-Blown Binge: Found a restaurant with a view of the Flame Towers (iconic!). Ordered a local wine. One glass led to two, which led to…well, let's just say my memory is hazy. I’m pretty sure I attempted to speak Azerbaijani. The waiter was very polite. Probably because he saw the state I was in.
9:00 PM - Attempting to Get Back to the Hotel (and Failing Gracefully): Stumbled back. Found the hotel. Passed out. Wonderful first day.

Day 2: Oil, Carpets, and a Near-Death Experience with a Taxi (again)

9:00 AM - Wake Up and Regret (and a Hangover Smoothie): Regret. The wine. The heat. The unknown. Got a smoothie down, ready for the day.
10:00 AM - The Heydar Aliyev Center (And the "Is This a Museum or a Spaceship?" Dilemma): Frank Gehry designed. It's truly amazing. I was expecting stuffy art, but it was more like a sensory explosion. The architecture is bonkers (in a good way). Felt like I was inside a giant, gleaming spaceship. Got lost looking at the exhibits. Spent way too long watching a documentary about the oil industry (surprisingly interesting, even though I have zero understanding of it). The emotional complexity of the whole place was something for me to ponder.
1:00 PM - Carpet Museum (and the "My Eyes are Melting" Moment): Okay, the Carpet Museum. Gorgeous carpets. Truly. But it's a lot of carpets. After a while, my brain started to melt. I got carpet overload. The intricate patterns and colors were stunning, but I could only handle about an hour. I'm just not that sophisticated.
2:30 PM - Street Food Adventure: Scored what I think was a shashlik. Meaty goodness.
4:00 PM - Another Taxi Ride, Another Near-Death Experience: Decided to go further to see the Mud Volcanoes. This time, the taxi driver was even crazier. I swear he was trying to beat the land speed record. When we arrived, the driver charged me, as expected.
5:30 PM - The Mysterious Mud Volcanoes (and the "Is That Real?" Question): They're…weird. Bubbly mud volcanoes that look like they're about to erupt. The whole landscape is a bit surreal. Definitely worth the trip, even if the taxi nearly killed me.
8:00 PM - Dinner and the "Chicken Pox" Impression: Ordered chicken. This time, I managed to escape the wine.
10:00 PM - Back to the Hotel (with a renewed appreciation for air conditioning): Slept like a log.

Day 3: The Caspian Sea, Oil, and a Bitter Farewell

9:00 AM - A Beach Day (kind of): Decided to go to the beach. It was a letdown. The wind was blustery. The sea looked…well, it looked like the Caspian Sea (which isn't the prettiest). Still, the sun was nice. Took photos, then chilled.
12:00 PM - Oil Museum (And the "More Oil?" Reaction): I was done with oil.
2:00 PM - Walking around. I didn’t really do anything, but wander. I walked down streets, took in smells, looked.
6:00 PM - Farewell Dinner (Attempting to Be Romantic): Found a cute restaurant. Got some great food. Enjoyed the lovely sunset.
8:00 PM - Packing and Reflecting (and the “I Need More Time” Feeling): I packed. I thought about the fun times. Then, as always, I realized I wanted another week.
10:00 PM - Sleep: Time for sleep.

Day 4: Departure and the "Already Planning My Return" Thought

6:00 AM - Check Out and Taxi to Airport: Goodbye Baku.
9:00 AM - Take Off: Flying home. The smell of the airport still lingering in my mind.
12:00 PM - Arrival (and the lingering taste of Azerbaijan): Missed Baku.

Reflections (or, What I Learned):

Baku is a city of contrasts: ancient and modern. Chaotic and beautiful. Frustrating and utterly captivating.
Learn a few basic Azerbaijani phrases. (Even if you butcher the pronunciation like I did.)
Embrace the chaos! It's part of the adventure.
Pace yourself with the wine. (Or, you know, don't.)
Go. Just go. You won’t regret it (most of the time).

This trip wasn't perfect. It was messy, embarrassing, and occasionally terrifying. But it was also unforgettable. And now I'm thinking about my return.

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Merida Hotel Baku Baku Azerbaijan

Merida Hotel Baku: So, You Wanna Know the Lowdown? (My Actual Experience!)

Alright, let's be honest. Planning a trip can be a total mind-bender. Especially when you're staring at a glowing screen, trying to decipher all the hotel jargon. I've been there! So, I'm spilling the tea on Merida Hotel Baku. Consider this your brutally honest guide, not some sterile brochure.

Is the Merida Hotel Baku actually luxurious? Because, you know, the internet lies. A LOT.

Okay, let's be real. "Luxury" is a loaded word. (I practically gagged saying it just now). Merida's luxurious, in a Baku-style way. Think polished marble everywhere, plush carpets you *want* to sink into, and a lobby that's basically begging for a dramatic entrance. The rooms? Spacious, definitely. The beds were a cloud – I actually slept through my alarm one morning, which is UNHEARD OF. It's not *over-the-top* luxury with absurd gold faucets and butlers named Archibald. But it's classy, comfortable, and definitely feels like a treat. The best part? The view. OMG, the view. Especially at sunrise. Grab your coffee and stare. Trust me on this one.

The location... is it a pain in the rear to get around?

Right, listen up. Location is KEY. The Merida is pretty darn central. Walking distance to Old City? Absolutely. Taxis are EVERYWHERE, and surprisingly affordable. I will admit getting around the hotel a bit in Baku can be confusing and the Google maps could be a bit off. My husband wandered around for about an hour one day trying to get me something from the souvenir shop. I found it much quicker with a taxi. Seriously, download Bolt (the local taxi app) and use it. You’ll thank me later. It's right in the heart of Baku's action, and you'll find the best of it at your fingertips.

What about the food? Because I'm a food snob, and bad hotel food is a deal-breaker.

Okay, confession time: I'm obsessed with food. And the breakfast buffet at Merida? Not bad. Not bad at all. They had a ridiculous selection of everything -- local dishes, perfectly-cooked eggs, fresh fruit, the works. The bread was so fresh, I almost cried (okay, maybe I *did* cry a little). If you *have* to get a croissant though, skip the breakfast buffet and head to a local bakery. They're everywhere, and the real deal. And honestly, room service? Surprisingly good. I blame jet lag for my ordering so much.

The staff... are they friendly, or just pretending to be?

The staff were... *mostly* lovely. (Okay, let's be honest, there was ONE slightly grumpy person at the front desk, but hey, everyone has a bad day.) Generally, they were super helpful, patient with my terrible Azerbaijani pronunciation (I tried!), and genuinely seemed to care. I had a minor issue with my safe, and they were up fixing it within minutes. One of the bellhops even gave us some insider tips on where to find the *best* baklava. That, my friends, is worth a gold star.

Is there a pool? And is it any good?

Yes! There's a pool. Inside. The hotel pool. I wasn't super impressed, it was small but it had a nice atmosphere. There's also a sauna and a steam room! I did get to relax in the sauna and it was the perfect end to a day of exploring Baku. If you have time, definitely check out the spa services too. I didn't go for a swim since I was busy exploring the city. Next time!

Anything I should know about the rooms specifically? What about the Wi-Fi?

The rooms are nice, seriously, I mentioned the beds right? The Wi-Fi was decent. I mean, it wasn't lightning-fast, but it was good enough for streaming and checking emails. (Important, people!) We had a room with a city view, and I highly recommend it. Seeing the city lights at night was magical. Oh! One minor gripe: the noise levels were a little high, especially if the window was open. The city is alive and buzzing at all times of the day and night. So if you are a light sleeper, ask for a room on a higher floor. Bring earplugs just in case. Otherwise, solid!

What did you hate about the hotel? (Be honest!)

Okay, okay, here's the honesty part. The one thing that truly bugged me? Getting ice. It's a small thing, I admit. But I like a cold drink. The ice machines were a bit elusive. Seems like they need a little bit of maintenance. I ended up calling room service a couple of times to get ice. That's about it. This could have been a one-off issue. This is a minor complaint, but I am known for being picky.

Would you stay there again?

Absolutely! I'd definitely recommend the Merida Hotel. Even with my minor nitpicks, it's a great hotel. It offers great value, fantastic location, and generally a wonderful experience. I'm already dreaming of going back.

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