Ulaanbaatar is spread along a valley, but visitors only need a compact central area, and in winter it pays to sleep close to where you will spend your days. The question is less about star ratings than about how close you want to be to the square, to Gandan Monastery or to the museums, and how much warmth, parking and breakfast you want included. All five of our hotels sit within about twenty minutes on foot of Sükhbaatar Square.
Sükhbaatar district: the polished, central choice
The area around the main square is the most convenient base, with the Chinggis Khaan National Museum, the National Museum of Mongolia and the Parliament House all close. The splurge here is Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar, a five-star with 290 rooms on Olympic Street, about eight minutes on foot from the square, with an indoor pool, sauna and steam room, four restaurants and a connected shopping centre. In winter, being able to step indoors to shops and cafes is a real advantage, and free parking is useful if you hire a driver.
Peace Avenue: good-value downtown comfort
The Continental Hotel is on UNESCO Street off Peace Avenue, about eleven minutes on foot from the square, with a garden terrace, a gym, a restaurant and free parking. It is a mid-range choice for travellers who want to be central and save money for day trips and a ger stay. Breakfast is a paid buffet, so compare room-only and breakfast rates.
Chingeltei and the Gandan side: temple mornings
Holiday Inn Ulaanbaatar on Sambuu Street is about four minutes on foot from Gandan Monastery, which makes the morning chanting easy to reach, and about eighteen minutes from the square. It has a spa with sauna and steam room, a gym and free parking, plus an accessible room. It is a dependable international-brand option with good facilities and an easy base for families and couples.
The university district: museums and quiet
Chinggis Khaan Hotel on Tokyo Street is a four-star with 116 rooms, the Mandarin restaurant, a gym, an on-site mall and free parking. It sits about eighteen minutes on foot from the square and a short drive from the national museums and the Natural History Museum. It suits travellers who want four-star comfort without the top prices, and who are happy to take a taxi in the cold.
The budget pick
UB Friends Hostel is a dormitory hostel about four minutes on foot from Sükhbaatar Square, with communal kitchens, balconies, luggage storage and tour help. It is the most central budget option in our list and a good place to meet other travellers and share the cost of a day trip, although it offers shared dorm rooms only, so bring earplugs and a warm sleeping layer.
How to choose
For a first visit, choose Shangri-La for warmth and facilities or Holiday Inn for Gandan and value. For a cheaper stay with parking, choose The Continental Hotel or Chinggis Khaan Hotel. For a tight budget and a social stay, choose the hostel. In winter, favour a hotel with indoor facilities, and book airport transfers in advance, since the airport is about an hour from the centre.
