Dostyk Hotel: Bayan-Ulgii’s Best New Hotel
An honest traveler’s review of the Dostyk Hotel in Bayan-Ulgii, Mongolia, including price, cleanliness, and what to expect for the included breakfast.
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Whether you’re traveling to Bayan-Ulgii for the Golden Eagle Festival or to experience one of the amazing treks in Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, you’re going to need a hotel in Bayan-Ulgii for at least one night.
Bayan-Ulgii is starting point for any visit to western Mongolia and is especially known for its beauty and unique culture. The locals speak Kazakh and follow Islamic practices making it unlike any other region in Mongolia. It’s truly a place you have to travel in to understand it for yourself.
I visited Bayan-Ulgii in April 2023 after crossing the border from Russia into Tsagaannuur. It’s a great place to stay before taking on any adventure. Or, in my case, before driving across Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar.
Here’s my honest review from my two-night stay at the hotel in April 2023.
How to Get to the Dostyk Hotel Bayan-Ulgii
The Dostyk Hotel is one of Bayan-Ulgii’s newest hotels to open. Located right off Bayan-Ulgii’s Central Square, the hotel can’t be beat when it comes to location.
To get to the hotel, you have to enter the MJS Tower from the Khaan Bank side. Not the central square side.
Once you enter the MJS Tower building, don’t get confused by the hotel front desk directly in front of you. This is the reception area for a different, more expensive, hotel that’s in the building.
Instead, turn to the left and look for the elevators. Take the elevators to the 7th floor and you can’t miss the hotel’s front desk.
Dostyk Hotel Bayan-Ulgii Price Per Night
When I visited in April 2023, the price for a double bed standard room was 250,000 Mongolian tugrik. The conversion rate at the time made that about $71 USD. This is for room 708, the room I stayed in.
The price for a double bed deluxe room was 300,000 Mongolian tugrik, about $85 USD. The room number is 712.
The difference between the two rooms is the size. The deluxe room has a double sink and is larger in size. For two people it could be more comfortable, but I thought the standard room was still a nice size.
These rates include breakfast and good Wi-Fi. Expect these rates to be much higher during the summer months, which is peak tourist season.
The reception area is clean, and the staff was friendly, but not all of them speak English. There is very cool art lining the hallway to get to the rooms, which adds a nice sense of place to the hotel.
Room Review
Overall, I was happy with my room. I stayed in room 708, which was a double bed standard room.
The room had a comfortable bed, it was clean, there’s a chair for sitting, a television, coffee, tea, and a hot water kettle.
There are robes hanging in the entryway, along with slippers.
The bathroom was small but easily accommodates one person. There isn’t much counter space, but there’s enough to get by.
The bathroom has its own water heater, so you don’t have to worry about hot water outages in the city. Something that happens often in the summer months in Mongolia.
The room does not have much of a view since there’s a fire escape stairwell in the way. No one uses these stairs, so privacy isn’t an issue.
There is a karaoke bar near the building that does have some enthusiastic patrons. So be warned.
There’s a parking lot around the building, but there’s no guard. So, park at your own risk. I didn’t have any issues during my stay.
Breakfast at the Dostyk Hotel
The included breakfast at the Dostyk Hotel is simple. A fried egg is served with rolls accompanied by jam and honey, fried sausage slices, cucumbers, and tomato. Tea is served with the meal. This is a pretty standard breakfast offering in Mongolia.
Breakfast is served on the 6th floor of the building and the view overlooking the Bayan-Ulgii Central Square is great. You can also eat lunch or dinner here during the day.
Things to Do in Bayan-Ulgii
There are plenty of things to do when you’re in Bayan-Ulgii.
Start by walking the Central Square. From the square, the Museum of Bayan-Ulgii Province is one block away.
Around the corner from the museum, the Tirlik Black Market is worth checking out. Even if it’s just for the people watching.
From Tirlik Black Market, head back towards the square for spicy fried chicken at Bes Halal Food. Follow that up with an afternoon coffee or tea next door at 57 Coffee House.
Pamukkale Restaurant is also a great dinner place if you enjoy Turkish food.
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