A very nice "boutique" hotel in Armenia
Written: Dec 29 '05
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Personal service, comfortable rooms, nice bar and restaurant
Cons: A short distance from the city
The Bottom Line: Personal service and comfort
|
|
|
| vodkaboy's Full Review: Best Eastern Bass Hotel |
Tired of the standard, boring chain hotels, where you wake up, look around the room and have no idea where you are? Well, if you are visiting Armenia, The Hotel Bass is a great alternative to the larger hotels - not that many of them are represented, but it is a nice break from the norm.
The Hotel Bass is a small, fifteen room hotel which does not have all of the luxuries and extras that you might find with international chains but has good, well-furnished, large and comfortable rooms and easy-going, personal service. It is located just outside the city centre, less than ten minutes drive, but very close to the US Embassy, USAID, Parliament and the American University, so if your business takes you to any of these then it is in fact very convenient.
RECEPTION
The Bass is about 50 yards down Aigedzor St, a small street off Proshian (better known as "barbecue") Street, so it is very quiet. Through a gate (which is locked at night) onto a small patio and then into the building.
The reception area is small and the single receptionist has a sign saying she is the "Administrator". Next to the reception desk is a table offering postcards and a few magazines for sale and, very nice, a small selection of books to borrow.
Next to reception is a doorway to a small, cozy bar. To the right is the restaurant and just in front of that the stairs. There is no lift, so if you have difficulties with stairs make sure you get a room on the second floor!
ROOMS
My favourite part of the hotel, all of the rooms are large, spacious and many are suites, but the price is barely any more than you would pay at a large hotel in the centre.
Some of the rooms have a separate living room with L shape sofa, TV, desk and an archway through to the bedroom (double bed of course). Rooms on the top floor actually have the bedroom above the living room! The smallest single room in the hotel is large compared to an average hotel room!
The rooms all have a firm but comfortable double bed; minibar fridge with drinks and snacks, colour TV and international direct dial phones. The bathrooms all have their own water heater, so water is not a problem.
FACILITIES
Being a small hotel, these are limited. There is a small sauna but no fitness centre or pool. There is no business centre, though the "administrator" will send or receive faxes or emails. They will also screen your phone calls, if you ask nicely!
The bar is very nice. Small, dark, very cozy with a wide range of drinks, and the barman makes some good cocktails! Restaurant food can also be served in the bar. Whenever I have been there, there has rarely been more than two or three people in the bar so it is very friendly.
RESTAURANT
The breakfast buffet is a little basic, consisting of an offering of yogurts, cheese, cold meats, salad and breads. However, they also offer a cooked dish included in the price so you can have omlette, ham and eggs, etc.
The lunch and evening menu is not very large but has a good choice of standard Armenian/European cuisine, all served quickly and mostly tasty. It can also be served in the bar, so you don't have to stop drinking!
Room service is available during the day until the restaurant closes.
SERVICE
Being a small hotel the service is very pleasant and personal. The staff speak english, some more than others, but are all friendly and do their best to look after you. After a couple of days you get to know them all and if you come back a second or third time they remember you and welcome you back warmly.
On one visit I lost something small but precious to me (no, not my virginity!) On my next visit there was a knock at the door and one of the staff handed me the thing that was missing. From that moment, I felt like I was at home!
LOCATION
Aigedzor St is just off Proshian St which is best known for its B-B-Q restaurants and cafes, there are a dozen within five minutes walk of the hotel. The hotel is an easy walk from American University, US Embassy and USAID. Downtown is a about a twenty minute walk, or there is a taxi rank at the top of Aigedzor St.
SUMMARY
In Summary, a great place to stay if you don't want all the extras of a large hotel, but prefer a nice large room and personal service.
The hotel website is www.bass.am
Note: I originally published this review in March 03. However, since the new, improved website came out, you can no longer find this review by going to "hotels..country..Armenia", I'm therefore copying this review over so, if you experience deja vue, that is why!
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
vodkaboy
|
 - Top 1000 |
|
Location: Somewhere over here
Reviews written: 168
Trusted by: 73 members
About Me:
I've been thinking. That's an improvement.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.