The Four Seasons Hotel Baku stands at 1 Neftchilar Avenue, on the waterfront side of the centre, and its great advantage is location: the gates of the Old City are around a seven-minute walk away and the Boulevard promenade is on the doorstep. With 171 rooms and suites, it is a smaller, calmer property than the big tower hotels, and it concentrates on service and comfort. Facilities include an indoor pool with sun loungers, a hot tub, sauna and steam room, and a full-service spa with ten treatment rooms. Dining is varied, with the Italian restaurant Zafferano, Bentleys and the Piazza, plus a bar and lounge and a coffee shop for lighter meals. It is the hotel to choose for a special trip when you want a luxury base that lets you walk to the Maiden Tower, the Shirvanshahs Palace and the seafront without relying on taxis.
Location and getting around
The hotel sits by the sea, close to the Old City end of the Boulevard, so most first-time sights are within a short walk or a quick taxi ride. The Icherisheher metro station and Nizami Street are also nearby. The airport is about thirty-five minutes by car, depending on traffic, and the hotel offers an airport shuttle for a fee, which you should arrange in advance. For Gobustan, Absheron and the mountain day trips, ask the concierge to organise a driver the evening before.
The rooms
Expect contemporary rooms and suites with comfortable beds, large bathrooms and, in many categories, views across the city or toward the water. If a sea view matters, ask for it when you book and pay a little more for a higher floor. Suites offer extra space for families and longer stays. The spa and pool are useful after a day of walking the cobbles, and the in-house restaurants mean you can eat well without leaving the building on a tired evening.
Who it suits
Couples, honeymooners and business travellers who want a walkable luxury address, and families who value space and service. What to know: check whether breakfast is included in your rate, reserve restaurant tables at busy times and note that rates rise during Formula One weekend and major conferences. The hotel is a very different experience from the Fairmont on the hill, because here you are down at the water and the Old City is a stroll away, whereas on the hill you are inside the skyline and use taxis for dinner.
Dining and extras
The hotel restaurants offer Italian and international menus, and the lounge is a pleasant place for tea or an evening drink. Ask the concierge about guides, private cars and restaurant tables across the city, and about late checkout if you have an evening flight. Families can ask about connecting rooms and extra beds when they book.
Why stay here
- ✓About 7 minutes on foot to the Old City
- ✓Seafront location by the Boulevard
- ✓Indoor pool with sun loungers
- ✓Hot tub, sauna and steam room
- ✓Full-service spa
- ✓Zafferano, Bentleys and Piazza restaurants
- ✓Bar, lounge and coffee shop
- ✓Airport shuttle available for a fee
Good questions
How far is the Four Seasons from the Old City?+
It is roughly a seven-minute walk to the Old City gates, and the Boulevard promenade is right beside the hotel.
Does the hotel have a pool and spa?+
Yes. There is an indoor pool with sun loungers, a hot tub, a sauna, a steam room and a full-service spa with several treatment rooms.
Is there an airport shuttle?+
The hotel offers an airport shuttle for a fee. The drive takes around thirty-five minutes depending on traffic, so arrange it in advance.
