Hotel Review: Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar
When planning my trip to Mongolia, I assumed the Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar would be the highlight of my hotel stays. After all, it's the city's premier - and ONLY - five-star hotel. I expected the Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar to simply be a comfortable, dependable place to sleep.
I couldn't have been more wrong. The hotel receptionist that checked me in spoke in English, was knowledgeable, answered all my questions before I had a chance to get to them, and offered extra services to me that I didn’t even think of - like charging my account and giving me local currency if needed. All while running a clearly busy afternoon. Her greeting was far more welcoming than what I experienced at the Shangri-La.
Not only did the Holiday Inn exceed every expectation, but it’s one that I would recommend for every budget. The Shangri-La certainly offers luxury in name, but the Holiday Inn delivered the experience that mattered most: warm hospitality, comfortable accommodations, thoughtful service, and outstanding value.
If you’re looking to visit Ulaanbaatar, add this one to your list of hotel recs!
Location
The Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar is located just west of the city center, making it easy to reach many of Ulaanbaatar's most popular attractions like the National Museum of Natural Sciences, Gandantegchinlen Monastery, the State Department Store and many more. Honestly though, no matter where you stay within Ulaanbaatar, most things are within a 20 minute walk.
The Room: 1 King Bed Suite
I booked myself in the 1 King Bed Suite because I like to have a separate living space to spread out.
My room was clean, modern, and incredibly spacious. After spending long days in the Mongolian countryside, it was exactly the relaxing retreat I needed.
The main entry living room had a couch, tv, coffee table, chairs and a closet for storage. My one complaint is that the one semi-full length mirror is in here, but no matter how far back I walked, I couldn’t see my entire outfit. That was a design flaw, but it didn’t detract from what the space offered. In addition to all of that, there was also a bar area in the living room with complimentary waters and other chargeable beverages.
The bedroom had a king size bed, nightstands, a desk with chair, tv, and a separate chair with a drink table. The entire space was well appointed and had all the conveniences I needed. Both the living area and the bedroom also looked towards the Bogd Khan Uul with fantastic views.
The bathroom was exceptional. I’ve read rave reviews for the Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar (which I also stayed in and reviewed here) which all seemed to highlight the soaking tub but you guys - I feel like the bathroom at the Holiday Inn was even better.
There was a giant soaking tub, a large shower and a double sink. You could enter the bathroom from both the living room and the bedroom. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar after spending two days in Terelj National Park and I made use of every part of this bathroom.
As soon as I checked into my room, I started a bath. I soaked my feet and legs and then I followed up with a shower to make sure I rid myself of all of the sand I was covered in.
The Thoughtful Touch That Won Me Over
When I checked into my room I found that the staff had left me a beautiful Mongolian felt ger souvenir as a gift. It wasn't expected, and it certainly wasn't necessary, but it was one of those small gestures that instantly makes a hotel memorable. Instead of feeling like just another guest checking in and out, I felt genuinely welcomed.
While I will absolutely demolish a welcome fruit basket, I love a good souvenir to remember a trip by and the hospitality shown by the Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar is something I'll remember long after I've forgotten thread counts or marble bathrooms.
Hospitality isn't always about luxury. Sometimes it's about making guests feel valued, and the Holiday Inn did exactly that.
Dining
The hotel offers an on-site restaurant serving both international and local dishes, making it a convenient option after a busy day exploring the city. Breakfast was included with my stay but this restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner.
The breakfast buffet wasn’t as large as what I experienced at the Shangri-La, however, it was better than a standard continental breakfast with hot and cold foods as well as a salad bar.
Having a quality restaurant inside the hotel is a welcome convenience when you’re too tired to leave. There is also a sports bar in the hotel, however, I never managed to make it up there.
On the first night I arrived, I ordered room service because I was too tired to find food, and it came from the sports bar. It was quick, delicious and semi-light fare, which is what I was looking for at 10pm.
On another day, I ate lunch in the restaurant before spending my afternoon walking to Gandantegchinlen Monastery.
Amenities
I typically try to scout out all the amenities a hotel has to offer, even if I won’t be able to make use of them during my visit.
On this trip, I did intend to visit the spa, however, I was exhausted and also trying to see everything I possibly could while out and about, so I didn’t make it there. I did see the spa menu in my room and thought that the prices were extremely fair, though!
(As a side note on prices, I thought the room service, the restaurant and the mini bar prices were very fair and budget friendly not only here at the Holiday Inn, but also at the Shangri-La.)
In addition to the spa, there is also a fitness center that is open from 06:00am until 10:00pm.
Free wifi was also available in the hotel which was convenient for me since my phone service was wavering between 3G and 5G.
Value
The Holiday Inn truly impressed me. During this same trip, I also stayed at the Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar. While the Shangri-La name is known for luxury amenities and an upscale atmosphere, I found myself enjoying my stay at the Holiday Inn just as much - if not more.
The rooms were comfortable, the staff was outstanding, and every interaction felt personal. Considering the significant difference in nightly rates, I felt that the Holiday Inn delivered exceptional value.
Rather than paying for a luxury name, I'd rather save that money for unforgettable experiences like exploring Terelj National Park, visiting the Genghis Khan Statue Complex, or taking a tour into the Gobi Desert.
Without hesitation, I’d recommend the Holiday Inn to anyone I know that is visiting Ulaanbaatar.
