The Best Hotels in Mongolia
The 9 best hotels in Mongolia to stay at across the country including luxury and 5-star properties in the Gobi Desert, Lake Khuvsgul, and more.
I love a good hotel. The crisp white sheets, a luxuriously oversized bathtub and bathroom fit for a queen, the little touches that a staff go out of their way to do to really make you feel special, it’s what got me into travel writing more than 15 years ago. A career that once-upon-a-time gave me the opportunity to check into some of the best hotels in the world.
While travel writing did initially bring me to Mongolia and kept me here after, it’s not what drew me to the country in the first place. No, I was here purely for the raw adventure – sleeping in gers, horse riding, and living that nomad life. Everything that screams the exact opposite of luxury hotels.
But somehow that was exactly what I needed at that time. I was bored of pristine, perfectly curated experiences. I wanted freedom. I wanted adventure. I wanted to feel alive. Mongolia offered me exactly that, and so many more things I never could have expected, and I’ve truly loved everything I’ved experienced here, the good, the bad, and the unexpected.
Recently, however, as the country as continued to develop, I’ve noticed that spilling into the luxury hotel market. In the last few years, properties like Ayan Zalaat, Nine Pines Lodge, and Butéle Resort opened their doors ushering in a new level of luxury tourism in Mongolia. It’s been incredible to see, and even more incredible to experience first-hand.
In the last two years I’ve been fortunate enough to stay in almost all of the properties on this list, getting to know each brand, as well as the staff that bring of these properties to life. Mongolia might be an emerging destination when it comes to 5-star star hotels, but if these hotels are any indication of what’s to come, it could become a leading destination in the space down the road.
There’s still a long way to go when it comes to the local understanding of high-end service and consistency, but it’s getting better and better every year and I find that incredibly exciting.
Keep reading to learn more about my favorite hotels, which I would consider the best hotels to stay at in Mongolia as someone who has lived here for more than nine years. If you’re visiting Mongolia for the first time, I recommend including at least one of these hotels during your stay so you can see a lesser-known side to the country.
I’ve also included practical tips for visiting, a bit of background on the beautiful locations where you’ll find these properties, plus the best way to book each hotel on this list.
Thanks for reading and if you book and stay at any of the hotels on this list, let me know in the comments!
Table of Contents
Everything you Need to Book for When You Land in Ulaanbaatar
Everything you need to book when you arrive in Ulaanbaatar.
🚕 Airport Transfer into the Ulaanbaatar City Center
Book your airport transfer before you land. Ulaanbaatar taxis are chaotic and this is worth the peace of mind.
🛌 Where to Stay (Best Luxury Hotels, 4 and 5-star)
These are the top hotels to stay at in Ulaanbaatar:
→ Best Western Premier Tuushin: 4-star hotel next to Sukhbaatar Square and the Gobi Cashmere Store
→ Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar: consistently the best 5-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar since 2015
→ Ayan Zalaat: located on the outskirts of the city for more privacy, the only Michelin Key property in Mongolia
👉 Make the Most of Your Time in the Capital
If you have extra days, these are the experiences I’d actually recommend:
→ Ulaanbaatar: Private Guided City Tour with Car
→ Cooking Class in a Local Home
→ Mongolian Traditional Dance & Music Concert Ticket
→ Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue & Terelj National Park
→ Ulaanbaatar: Private Nomad Horseback Ride + Homemade Lunch
Does Mongolia have 5-star hotels?
Yes, Mongolia does have a few 5-star hotels. The best 5-star hotels in Ulaanbaatar are Ayan Zalaat and Shangri-La.
Outside of Ulaanbaatar, you will find luxury hotels like Butéle Resort, Nine Pines Lodge, and Black Rock Resort which might not technically be considered 5-star hotels, but are impressive nonetheless.
What are the most beautiful places in Mongolia?
The hotels on this list know a thing or two about choosing a beautiful location. Whether that’s on the quiet eastern shores of Lake Khuvsgul or overlooking the Darkhad Valley, each property understood the importance of location. Below I’ve gone into detail about some of the most beautiful places in Mongolia, plus which hotel to stay at when you travel there.
Darkhad Valley (Jargant Lodge)
Darkhad Valley is one of my favorite places to visit in northern Mongolia. With its hard to reach remote location, Darkhad Valley is one of those rare places in the world that is almost completely untouched. In this area you’ll find rare migratory birds, crystal clear mineral rich rivers, and hundreds of glacial lakes scattered across the valley floor.
Darkhad Valley is also famous as the jumping off point for exploring places like the Khoridol Saridag mountain range and the east and west taigas, where the Tsaatan reindeer herders live.
The area is also well known for its taimen, the largest salmonid in the world, which can reach more than 50 kg. Fly fishers from around the world come to this area specifically just to catch and release these incredible creatures.
There are two ways to reach Darkhad Valley by car. The first is via Murun, the capital of Khuvsgul Province. The second is via Jigleg Pass from Lake Khuvsgul, which is the more difficult and not always passable option.
Lake Khuvsgul (Black Rock Resort)
The Blue Pearl of the north, Lake Khuvsgul, is one of the most iconic natural landmarks in Mongolia. Famously known as the sister lake to Lake Baikal just across the border, Lake Khuvsgul is the largest freshwater lake in Mongolia. It’s also considered one of the clearest and oldest lakes in Asia, reaching a depth of around 260 meters.
The two best months to visit Lake Khuvsgul are August and February.
In August, the water is the warmest it gets all year and you can go scuba diving, boating, or kayaking around the lake. Keep in mind saying the lake is warm still a stretch. The surface water average temperature in August is 12.7°C.
February is my personal favorite time of year to visit the lake because this is when the lake is completely frozen over, turning it into a surreal winter wonderland. The ice becomes so thick it reaches about two meters and is so strong cars drive across it and an ice festival is held on the southern shore.
Lake Khuvsgul is easily accessible by car from Murun, which takes about two hours.
Bulgan Province (Butéle Resort)
Ever since I first visited Bulgan Province in 2025 I’ve dreamed about building a home here. Although I’ve visited every province in Mongolia, and experienced some truly beautiful places around the country, there’s just something about Bulgan that has captured my heart. And something I can’t shake about wanting to settle here and officially call this part of the country home.
Thanks to being home to three major rivers, the Eg, Orkhon, and Selenge, Bulgan is one of the more “wet” regions in the country. This also makes it one of the best for farming. Wheat, potatoes, and a variety of vegetables are all grown here.
The further north you go in the province, nearer to the border with Buryatia, the houses also change. Instead of gers sprawled across the landscape, you’re more likely to find small wooden cabins in their place, reflecting the small Buryat communities who call this area home.
Interestingly enough, the food here is also worth mentioning. Here you’re likely to find a rich and decadent sour cream (closer to Russian smetana) that’s one of my favorite things to eat in Mongolia. It pairs amazingly with the Buryat-style bread baked here, and the combination of the two together is one of my favorite things to snack on when I’m traveling through.
To reach Bulgan, it’s roughly a nine hour drive from Ulaanbaatar by car on a good paved road. During this drive, you notably pass through the town of Erdenet, a quirky mining town I always spend a few hours in when I’m passing through.
Khentii Province (Nine Pines Lodge)
Khentii is the province for learning more about Chinggis Khaan and the Great Mongol Empire. There is no better province in Mongolia for history lovers to visit than Khentii.
That’s because this is where Chinggis Khaan was born. Given the name Temuujin at birth, many Mongolians make the pilgrimage to visit the mountain where it’s said Temuujin was born and to explore the surrounding area where he was raised.
Thanks to the book the Secret History of the Mongols, this area has plenty of places to see and things to do, if you want to follow in the footsteps of a young Khaan. Visiting here is even further proof that Chinggis Khaan was, and probably still is, the world’s most famous Mongol.
A brand new airport has just opened in Dadal Soum which will make traveling from Ulaanbaatar even easier.
Otherwise, there are new paved roads that run through Khentii Province to the towns of Norovlin, as well as Omnodelger (Airgiin-Enger on Google Maps). To get to Dadal Soum, where Nine Pines Lodge is located, it takes about nine hours of driving time and the last section of the drive is off-road.
Selenge Province (Yeruu Lodge)
Another important region for farming and agriculture in Mongolia, Selenge Province is named for the river that runs through it, the Selenge River. Mongolia’s largest river by volume, it often surprises people to hear that the Selenge River flows north into Russia, supplying about half of the water entering Lake Baikal.
Because the Orkhon, Tuul, Kharaa and Eröö rivers all drain into the Selenge River system, this area is known for kayaking, fly fishing, ice fishing, rafting, and birdwatching.
The Trans-Mongolian Railway also famously runs through here. This is the farthest the train runs north, making its final stop at the provincial capital Sukhbaatar close to the Russian border.
Personally, I love Selenge for the nature, the adventure, and the fact that most other tourists bypass this part of the country altogether. If you’re really trying to experience Mongolian culture without the crowds, this area is it.
To reach Selenge Province, there is a new highway from Ulaanbaatar all the way up to Darkhan that makes getting to the province extremely easy. (It’s one of my favorite routes to drive because the road is in such great condition and is two lanes each way.)
If you’d rather reach the province by train, take the Trans-Mongolian train to Orkhon to reach Yeruu, or all the way up to Suukhbaatar, the last stop on the line before the Russian border.
Gobi Desert (Gobi Nomad Lodge, Tegri Gobi Resort, Three Camel Lodge)
Last, but certainly not least, the Gobi Desert is absolutely one of the most beautiful places to visit in Mongolia. But that’s not really a secret.
Khongoryn Els, the Flaming Cliffs, Yolin Am Valley, it doesn’t get more picture-perfect than each of these places. It’s why the Gobi Desert is the most popular place for tourists to visit when they come to Mongolia.
My local piece of advice for visiting the Gobi Desert is to do it from May to mid-June, or from late August to the end of September. At these times there are less crowds and much more bearable temperatures. As someone who lives here, I avoid the Gobi Desert at all costs from mid-June to mid-August.
In fact, April and May have been my favorite time to visit the Gobi Desert over the last several years. Spring doesn’t only bring fewer crowds and great weather, it’s also when spring flowers start to bloom (including beautiful purple irises in front of Khongoryn Els) and baby animals are everywhere you look. It really is when life begins to return to the steppe and I love being out in the countryside at this time of year.
Looking for even more insight on how to best visit the Gobi Desert without the crowds? Read my Complete Guide to the Gobi →
The 9 Best Hotels in Mongolia
This list of the best hotels in Mongolia has been a long time coming. Mostly because I haven’t wanted to spoil some of the areas and places I’ve fallen seriously in love with over the last several years.
Most of these places are still truly hidden gems I’ve been selfishly trying to keep secret, but it’s time you guys finally knew just how great Mongolia can be when it comes to luxury travel.
All of the hotels on this list have ensuite bathrooms along with plenty of other amenities like spas, onsite restaurants, outdoor and indoor pools, and more. Keep reading to see what I personally like about each place and what makes each of them special.
Butéle Resort (My Absolute Favorite Resort in Mongolia)
- Room to Book: Mini House
- Location: Teshig, Bulgan Province
The moment I arrived at Butéle I was immediately in love.
The open dining room and patio overlooking the river and mountains ahead, the thoughtfulness that went into designing the tiny cabins, the incredibly impressive gourmet meals, everything about my experience here was just top tier from the moment I stepped onto the property.
I spent two nights in one of the Mini Houses, making the most of the giant bed, hot showers, and in-house Nespresso coffee makers, which were all a godsend after having just spent a few days overlanding.
On my second day at the resort, I was invited to take a boat trip up the Eg River to one of the confluences, where we could hike up to a beautiful viewpoint. It was that view, and in that moment, that I knew Bulgan Province was going to be a place I’d find myself returning to.
Back in the boat, we slowly made our way back down the river, stopping at one of the small islands along the way. It was such an unforgettable experience that I still remember it like it was yesterday. The team was so kind and generous and I just felt like I was hanging out with friends, not on a tour.
Over pancakes and coffee on the patio my last morning, I knew Butéle would be hard to beat as one of my favorite resorts in Mongolia, if not my very favorite.
👉 BOOK HERE: Butéle Resort
Nine Pines Lodge (Best Design Hotel)
- Room to Book: Standard Twin Room or Standard Dome
- Location: Dadal Soum, Khentii Province
When I first learned about Nine Pines Lodge, the first thing that caught my eye was the design and attention to detail.
Their use of natural wood, the interesting textures across the property, the pops of color in all the right places. I knew this was a place I needed to visit, and fast.
So, earlier this spring, a group of friends and I made it happen. And it did not disappoint.
With Delüün Boldog sitting in the distance, the hotel is in the perfect location for exploring Khentii Province, the birthplace of Chinggis Khaan.
For history lovers and anyone interested in learning about the Great Mongol Empire, Khentii is the place to start, and Nine Pines Lodge is the place to stay.
When I visited, we were only meant to stay one night. We were so captivated by the hotel, and what there was to explore in the surrounding area, that we ended up extending our stay by one night. It didn’t hurt they had a Catan board and we ended up playing several lively games into the night.
The dome rooms close for the winter but the lodge is open year-round and is absolutely worth visiting in winter.
In summer, the lodge has a pickleball court, a full-size volleyball court, a traditional sauna, and they offer guided bicycle tours. They can also help arrange fishing and boat tours, horseback riding, and guided cultural tours. Basically, you can show up here and let them take care of the rest.
With the new Dadal Airport opening, getting to the lodge has become even easier. They are also able to arrange private helicopter transfers from Ulaanbaatar, turning what would otherwise be a nine hour drive into an hour flight.
👉 BOOK HERE: Nine Pines Lodge
Ayan Zalaat (The Only MICHELIN Key Hotel in Mongolia)
- Room to Book: Junior Suite
- Location: Ulaanbaatar, Tov Province
Sitting on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar, just out of reach of the chaos of the city center, Ayan Zalaat’s opening has quickly solidified it as the most luxurious hotel in Mongolia.
Nestled against the Bogd Khan Uul UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, staying here offers a different type of experience from any other hotel in the capital. Ayan Zalaat is where you stay when you want an exclusive experience without compromise.
Earlier this year I was able to stay at the hotel in a mountain-facing Junior Suite. Walking into the room, I couldn’t get over how spacious it was. There was a sitting area, bedroom area, and a long corridor that led to one of the best bathtubs in all of Ulaanbaatar. The room was so comfortable I didn’t want to leave.
When I finally managed to pull myself away from my room, it was the spa and indoor pool that stole my attention. There are also several restaurants inside the hotel, including a Chinese restaurant that has even become a favorite among locals in town.
Ayan Zalaat might not be right in the city center, but with everything at your fingertips, you don’t really care.
👉 BOOK HERE: Ayan Zalaat Hotel & Spa
Yeruu Lodge (The Best Weekend Escape from Ulaanbaatar)
- Room to Book: Premium Ger
- Location: Javkhlant, Selenge Province
Of all the properties on this list, Yeruu Lodge is the property I’ve visited the most in the last few years. There’s just something about it that makes it easy to visit, and even easier to fall in love with.
With incredibly reasonable room rates, a beautiful patio facing the river, and a pizza oven cooking up some of the best pizza in Mongolia, Yeruu is where I go when I want an easy, comfortable escape from Ulaanbaatar, without breaking the bank. You can easily stay two or three nights here, and somehow every time I visit I get what feels like the best sleep of my life.
The Premium Gers are worth the splurge to have a bathroom inside your room, otherwise the standard gers have a shared bathroom and shower cabin.
In the summer months, the pétanque courts, kayak excursions, and horseback riding up to the viewpoints overlooking the Yeruu River are a must do.
Yeruu is easily reached in six hours by car from Ulaanbaatar. Alternatively, you can take the Trans-Mongolian train to the Orkhon station where the lodge can pick you up.
👉 BOOK HERE: Yeruu Lodge
Gobi Nomad Lodge (Best Rooms for Stargazing in the Gobi Desert)
- Room to Book: Serenity Suite
- Location: Dalanzadgad, Ömnögovi (South Gobi) Province
If Dalanzadgad is the gateway to the Gobi, then Gobi Nomad Lodge is the key that opens it.
Located near Dalanzadgad and just 33 kilometers from Yolin Am Valley, Gobi Nomad Lodge is the perfect place to settle into the magic the desert has to offer.
Sitting on 18 acres of land, it’s the lodge’s Serenity Suites that first got my attention and made me want to stay here. These suites and their gallery windows and private terraces are great for stargazing Mongolia’s famous dark skies, while the air conditioning keeps you cool in the unrelenting heat of the desert and the ensuite bathrooms keep you comfortable.
What I like about Gobi Nomad Lodge is that they also offer a more traditional room option, if you’re keen to sleep in a ger as many nights as possible. Their Super Deluxe Gers are some of the nicest in all of Mongolia. Decorated with traditional carved furniture, air conditioning, an ensuite bathroom made from natural stone, and touches like Mongolian saddles, memory foam beds, memory foam and down feather pillows, and Starlink Wi-fi, the lodge is truly a hidden oasis in the desert.
Spend the night here before traveling onto Khongoryn Els and the Flaming Cliffs.
👉 BOOK HERE: Gobi Nomad Lodge
Three Camel Lodge (Mongolia’s Pioneer Eco-lodge)
- Room to Book: Deluxe Ger or Suite Ger
- Location: Bulgan, Ömnögovi (South Gobi) Province
For more than 20 years, the Three Camel Lodge has been the pioneer in the eco-friendly meets luxury space in Mongolia.
A member of Beyond Green, a group recognizing some of the most sustainable hotel properties in the world, the lodge is one of the most written and talked about lodges not just in Mongolia, but in all of Asia. Their on-site bar, the Thirsty Camel, has even been recognized as one of the world’s most remote whiskey bars. I do have to agree, their behind-the-bar collection is one of the most refined in all of Mongolia.
Run by Nomadic Expeditions, one of the best high-end tour operators in Mongolia, the lodge adds nicely to their ultra-luxury experiences. Instead of booking the lodge on its own, have Nomadic Expeditions curate your whole journey. The property works best as just a small part of an entire program they’re able to offer through the Gobi Desert.
I say that because the room rate is without a doubt one of the highest on this list. A three night lodge stay on their website, the smallest package they offer publicly, starts at $3,215.
Three Camel Lodge is a two hour off-road drive from Dalanzadgad.
👉 BOOK HERE: Three Camel Lodge
Tegri Gobi Resort (Hotel That Makes You Feel Like You’re on Another Planet)
- Room to Book: Family Capsule House
- Location: Bayanzag, Ömnögovi (South Gobi) Province
Staying at Tegri Gobi Resort feels like you’ve just been transported to another planet in the best way possible. The resort is fun, over the top, and somehow kitsch in all the right ways. Which is shocking because the theme is somewhere between Jurassic Park meets Indiana Jones meets Buzz Aldrin. Or, in this case, Jügderdemidiin Gürragchaa, the first Mongolian to visit space.
I haven’t had the chance to visit the resort yet, and I actually don’t know anyone else who has either. But, from what I see – an outdoor pool that is exactly where you want to be on a hot day in the Gobi Desert, the chance to ride camels, ATVs for rent, and astronaut suits that it looks like you can also rent and wear, everything about this place screams fun to me.
The capsule houses are on the more expensive side for a stay in the Gobi, ranging from 1,500,000 to 2,250,000 tugriks per night ($415 – $625 USD). However, the Family Capsule House does sleep up to four people which helps justify the cost a little bit.
Tegri Gobi Resort is located next to the Flaming Cliffs, about two hours by car from Dalanzadgad.
👉 BOOK HERE: Tegri Gobi Resort
Jargant Lodge (Best Lodge for Outdoor Adventurers)
- Room to Book: Standard Cabin
- Location: Darkhad Valley, Khuvsgul Province
For some reason, I only ever get to visit Jargant Lodge in the winter time. Which isn’t a complaint. In fact, winter is actually my favorite season in Mongolia and winter is an incredible time to visit Jargant Lodge and the Darkhad Valley area.
Winter turns the entire area into a true winter wonderland – fairytale forests, babbling brooks, and all.
The whole area just gets this quiet, serene atmosphere that makes you want to melt into the lodge’s accommodations after a full day of exploring. There’s something so satisfying about it.
During my last visit, they even built a bonfire for us that turned into an evening of dancing and singing, and maybe a shot or three of local vodka to stay warm.
Jargant Lodge is a homey, comfortable experience that’s more like staying with friends than at a stuffy lodge. With the Khoridal Saridag mountains nearby, Tsaagaannuur and the gateway to the reindeer tribe not far, and Lake Khuvsgul just on the other side of the mountains, Jargant Lodge is the perfect jumping off point for exploring the north.
I’m planning to visit the lodge next summer and I’ll be sure to report back with all the details. I’ve been told summer is a completely different, but equally as stunning, time to visit.
👉 BOOK HERE: Jargant Lodge
Black Rock Resort (Best at Lake Khuvsgul)
- Room to Book: Blue Pearl Suite Room
- Location: Lake Khuvsgul East Shore, Khuvsgul Province
Black Rock Resort offers a quieter, more exclusive side of Lake Khuvsgul, well away from the tourist crowds. Located on the less-developed eastern shore of the lake, the resort’s lakeview rooms face the iconic Khoridal Saridag mountains in the distance.
This is another resort I haven’t had the opportunity to experience first-hand, but I plan to soon. Their spa and wellness focus particularly caught my attention.
It looks like the best room to book is one of the Blue Pearl Suites which have a private terrace overlooking the lake. I’m already picturing myself out on this terrace with my morning coffee enjoying the fresh morning air.
The resort is open year round but I would recommend visiting in August when the lake is the warmest, or in September when the leaves change and you have the dramatic fall foliage as your backdrop.
👉 BOOK HERE: Black Rock Resort
Author: Breanna Wilson
Hi! Sain uu! I’m Breanna, an American travel writer and adventurer living in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for more than 9 years. I’ve written for and been featured in Condé Nast Traveler, CNN, Forbes, and the New York Times, among others. Read more of my Mongolia travel articles here.
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