Merci HOTEL — Hotel in Erbil Central Subdistrict

I stayed in this hotel for 5 nights in February, and barring a few small minor issues really couldn't fault it in any way. Spotlessly clean and well priced. I paid $30 a night for a small, but adequate single.||||The staff are great, particularly (but not isolated to - I just didn't get the names of the other workers) Albert and Rasool who really go out of their way to help with anything from taxis at 2am to changing money at good rates. The workers all generally spoke great English and were super cheery and friendly.||||I loved the location, a little out of the city center, but only a $2 or so taxi ride or 30 minute easy and interesting) walk. The neighborhood is quiet and safe - no problems to wander the back streets. Every shop I visited seemed to have someone who spoke near fluent English, and there appeared to be more signs in English, or even Turkish than Arabic. Within 100 meters or so there are countless small supermarkets, a money changer, a handful of very cheap restaurants (kebabs, pide, fried chicken etc) and if you walk 10 minutes or so north up the Erbil-Kirkuk Rd you will reach a shopping mall with a Carrefour supermarket, and a liquor store over the road, selling what must be some of the cheapest booze in the world. ||||The hotel has a gym, which while simple, was always empty, very clean, and had enough machines and weights for a couple of work outs while I was there. ||||Breakfast was fresh and adequate. ||||The only real complaints I could possibly make are related to the intermittent electricity, which is a city-wide problem, so not necessarily the hotel's fault. A headache nonetheless carting bags up to the 6th floor due to the lifts not working. Additionally the single rooms I stayed in got most of their air flow internally rather than from outside, and as a result of most guests being chainsmokers meant the room could get the smell of stale cigarette smoke quite a bit. ||||Nonetheless I loved this place, the staff, the location. I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again. Word of warning, though - I was there in the low season and the place was full - mostly with Iraqi tourists and businessmen every night I stayed, so it's worth booking in advance rather than...

I was a bit apprehensive about conditions and comfort for an extended stay, especially since this was our first time in Kurdistan, but this hotel was perfect for us. Good location--a short cab drive from the Citadel center--and next door to a convenient good restaurant with a very friendly staff as well. ||Marvelous endearing staff, Albert, Rita and adorable Rasul who usually works the night shift. They could not have been kinder or more helpful and greatly enhanced our stay with their warm hospitality, and helping us with any information or negotiation with taxis, as well as coming to pick us up and drive us back to airport for a very reasonable fee. I was very glad to have an opportunity to meet and congratulate the owner on his staff (he occasionally works at the desk). Our first room did not suit us as it was family oriented with numerous beds, and they immediately offered one that was perfect for our needs. Nice layout, comfortable, good AC which was unexpected, good internet, and few and very short power cuts--it comes with the territory and hotel has efficient generators. ||Do not worry about local water which is not potable. Bottled water is provided gratis by hotel--as many bottles as needed--and staff will kindly offer tea when you sit and wait in the lobby. If you are there for an extended stay, as we were, they will provide a kettle upon request. I hope to stay there again and will just bring my French press and coffee next time; this is a chai/tea culture and local coffee is mediocre Nescafe which comes with breakfast. It was a relief to be able to buy good Turkish coffee or espresso at the...

We were at this hotel twice - at the beginning and end of our trip. Our experience was as though we stayed at two different hotels. Room 505 and room 501. The hotel is outside the center with a few kebab places next door. The staff is helpful. But you are on a highway so traffic noise is a definite reality. ||||Room 505 was not up to scale. The double room was small and we had difficulties fitting both of our suitcases. The bathroom was also small and poorly lit. Open shower in a small space - so toilet paper and the bin have to be relocated. The tap was not stable. Although fine for one night, I would not have wanted to stay longer. But I knew that we would end our trip with two nights at the hotel...||||Well - Room 501 was spacious and modern. There was a shower stall (our only one in Kurdistan!) and dare I say more than adequate shelf space for toiletries? Breakfast is the best that we had in Kurdistan, but don’t expect a Four Seasons buffet. Simple but with some choice. As everywhere, only instant coffee.||||This was the only hotel we stayed in that did not provide free drinking water. The staff were kind and helpful. A good place to stay, but be sure to ask to see the...