Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar Hotel Review: Best Hotel for the Budget

My honest review of the Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar, my top choice for an affordable hotel in the capital.

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As a travel writer and tour leader I’ve seen, slept, and showered in my fair share of hotel rooms around the world.

While not all hotel rooms are created equal, I did find my stay at the Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar to be unsuspectingly good. The hotel is clean, the rooms are comfortable, and with a nightly rate between $100 and $150, you won’t find a better deal in the city.

Factor in the hotel’s central location and there’s a reason the Holiday Inn is considered one of the best hotels in Ulaanbaatar.

Keep reading to find out what else I liked about the hotel, and also what I didn’t like about my stay.

Cost Per Night

First things first, let’s talk about affordability. The cost per night at the Holiday Inn Hotel was more than reasonable, especially considering the quality of the stay.

Ulaanbaatar isn’t known for having an abundance of budget-friendly accommodations, and I was pleasantly surprised by the value I received for my money.

In the off-season, October to April, nightly rates will start around $100 USD.

In the peak season, May to September, nightly rates will start around $150 USD.

The nightly rate includes breakfast, Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk with an English-speaking staff, and access to the hotel’s gym.

Check in is at 2 pm and check-out is at 12 pm. I was able to get into my room around 11:30 am, much earlier than the check-in time without any additional charges. Typically, early check in is usually for an additional fee, 30% of the nightly rate if it’s between 7 am and 10 am.

Hotel Amenities

From the moment I walked into the lobby, I knew my stay would be relaxing. The lobby’s bright colors and comfortable waiting area make it a pleasant place to meet guides, ask questions to the staff, and adjust to Mongolian time.

The hotel has a fitness center, a spa, and a business center for anyone who needs to catch up on work.

The hotel’s Wi-Fi is strong and consistent, which was a lifesaver when I needed to stay connected.

If you’re traveling with kids, the hotel is great for families.

There is also free parking included with your stay. A nice perk considering how difficult it is to park in Ulaanbaatar normally.

Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar's Location

The Holiday Inn’s location is ideal for my exploring Ulaanbaatar by foot. The hotel is within walking distance to the State Department Store, currency exchange windows, the Chinggis Khaan Museum, and Sukhbaatar Square.

Most people are nervous and unsure about the location since most of the other popular hotels are located in Sukhbaatar Square. It is true that Holiday Inn isn’t right in the city center, but Ulaanbaatar isn’t a large city and there are no hills making it easy to get around on foot. My opinion is that the location is still great, but you won’t have the views that other hotels like Best Western, Blue Sky, and the Shangri-La are able to offer.

An additional advantage of the Holiday Inn’s location is that if you’re heading out of the city to the west, towards Kharkhorin for example, you’ll cut at least 20 minutes time off your driving time by avoiding the city center’s notoriously bad rush hour traffic.

It’s also located not far from Gandantegchinlen Monastery, one of my favorite places to spend a morning in the city. At 9 am each day, the monks do their daily chanting.

There are also plenty of great restaurants and bars nearby, as well. A few of my favorite restaurants in this area are Sakura Bakery and Café, Artisan Sourdough Bakery, Route 22, Ulaanbaatar Coffee, Green Zone, Bites, and Potala Coffee Shop.

Some of my favorite bars in this area are the Negroni Room, Turning Point, Revolution Beer Patio, and Brussels on Seoul Street.

Room Review: Clean and Comfortable

After a day of exploring the city’s vibrant streets, returning to my room was pure bliss.

The room was clean, and the simple décor gave a sense of comfort and calmness.

The bed was a sanctuary, with plush pillows and clean sheets that provided a dreamy night’s sleep. The room also had a spacious work desk, which came in handy when I needed to set up my computer to download and edit photos. Cleanliness is paramount to me, and the Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar met my high standards.

The housekeeping staff ensured that the room was spotless every day, and the common areas were always tidy and well-maintained. This attention to cleanliness added to the overall sense of comfort and well-being during my stay.