Highlights

• Panoramic views of the Caspian Sea with a private beach.
• A plethora of onsite activities including the largest waterpark in the city.
• Excellent dining and bar options.
• Luxuriously designed rooms and details.
• Great service by multilingual staff.

Background

Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts has become a brand synonymous with luxury. The Jumeirah Bilgah Beach Hotel is one of their newer properties and a multiple winner of the Azerbaijan Leading Hotel Award and Hotel of the Year. I was excited to visit and experience this property even though it was in the off season.

Experience

The hotel is a striking structure along the sea, only a short drive from the historical city center which has been recently added as a UNESCO heritage site and an even shorter trip to the airport. The architecture is clearly related to its famous sister hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with clean lines and sweeping arcs in glass and steel, representing a sail.

After a flawless pick up from the airport with a sleek black Mercedes I arrived in the evening in the lobby. The extravagant decorations were hard to ignore. Immediately the 58-meter long chandelier suspended in the atrium caught my eye. The 72,000 LED lights reflect off of the gold and silver elements of this record holding chandelier.

I stayed in a Junior Suite with a panoramic view of the Caspian Sea. The rooms were beautifully decorated in modern furnishings with golden touches. The sitting area is very large but still cozy with an L-shaped sofa and a coffee table. A large balcony with lounging furniture take advantage of the views.

The bathroom is styled in earth tone marble and modern fixtures like the walk-in rain shower and the separate soaker tub.

Other amenities in the room include the standards like a mini bar, coffee and tea, LCD TV, iPhone and iPod connection hub, remote controlled curtains, complimentary newspaper and wireless internet which are available in all 176 rooms and suites. Sizes and types range from the Deluxe King which still include a smaller sitting area but no balcony, to the Presidential Suite, featuring baroque décor gilded in gold with gallery sized paintings, over-sized mirrors, a separate dining area and 24-hour butler service. There are also Three Bedroom Cottages with separate floors for living and bedroom areas, a sun terrace, private plunge pool and even a private kitchen.

There are several first-rate dining and drinking choices at Jumeirah Bilgah Beach Hotel. The flagship establishment is Yuukai Restaurant which occupies the rooftop of the hotel. It’s one of the hotspots in Baku for tourists and locals alike for the amazing 360 degree view, extensive wine and martini list and delicious Asian cuisine. Yuukai Bar is also attached to the restaurant with access to the cigar room and library.

If you’re around the hotel’s private beach area or promenade there are two choices; the Promenade Restaurant & Bar and the Pier Grill which is known for its fantastic steak and fresh seafood. The Promenade also transitions from open-air restaurant in the daytime to a trendy lounge under the stars in the evenings.

The property even offers the Equinox Nightclub with popular DJs and creative cocktails.

Uzuk which serves international fare and the Waterpark Café which is perfect for a family day at the waterpark. Choices range from favorite indulgences like burgers and fries to healthy options like fresh salads and wraps.

One of the favorite spots in the hotel is the Talise Spa which has seven treatment rooms and two spa suites. Talise uses natural and organic products in all their facials and signature treatments. There is also a Turkish hammam, Finnish sauna, relaxation room, a meditation room, indoor lap pool and outdoor pool with sun deck. The T-Cafe specializes in healthy meals, smoothies and protein shakes.

There are also various group activities like swimming lessons, tennis classes, yoga, pilates and gymnastics. There’s also a bowling alley with four lanes surrounded by plush booths, snooker tables, air hockey, PlayStation, and Nintendo.

With 12 hectares of outdoor area and 300 meters of private beach, the property is massive. It’s even large enough to be home to the largest waterpark in Baku with 11 different slides, fountains, interconnected pools, and smaller pools for toddlers. Some of the favorite features are the black hole, rafting slide, kamikaze slide and the tunnel free-fall which is sure to get your heart pumping.

The Jumeirah Bilgah Beach Hotel is also geared up for business. The Executive Rooms and Meeting Rooms can accommodate anywhere from 14 to 150 people and are equipped with modern technology to run a successful meeting. For bigger events there is the Mardakan Suite & Terrace with 180 degree views of the sea for up to 350 guests and the Bilgah Ballroom which is one of the most sought after venues in Baku, especially for large lavish weddings.

The service at Jumeirah Bilgah Beach Hotel was excellent. The entire staff was helpful and friendly in every part of the hotel and were multilingual.

Overall the Jumeirah Bilgah Beach Hotel lives up to its reputation as a fine luxury resort. With so many activities, it feels like an all inclusive resort and you’ll want to stay just to enjoy all that the property has to offer. The staff and service were well trained, professional, and attentive. The reception was especially helpful for navigating the city as many people do not speak English in Azerbaijan.

I highly recommend the Jumeirah Bilgah Beach Hotel to all luxury travelers to Baku.

Contact
Jumeirah Bilgah Beach Hotel
Address: 94 Gelebe Street,Bilgah District, AZ1094, Baku, Azerbaijan
Telephone: +994 12 565 4000
Website: http://www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/baku/jumeirah-bilgah-beach-hotel/
Email: jbbreservations@jumeirah.com