One of the city’s most coveted hotels, Four Seasons Hotel Baku provides the level of luxury expected from the hotel brand, along with an enviable setting on the waterfront promenade and views over the old town and out to sea. The façade was designed to fit in with Baku’s blend of Ottoman, Islamic and European design influence, with architecture mirroring the French Beaux Arts style reminiscent of late 19th century French Riviera, clad with limestone from the nearby mountains and topped with a green copper roof. The interiors combine this same Beaux-Arts style with modern amenities and contemporary design touches. Highlights include the Italian dining spot Zafferano, whisky bar Bentley’s and serene Jaleh Spa with indoor pool. Choose a room with city- or sea-view balcony.

A modern interpretation of this city’s historic Intourist Hotel, which was constructed in 1934, this smart five-star property sits in the happening Nizami area of Baku with views from its rooms over the waterfront boulevard. Chic interiors come with pops of colour, stylish furnishings and an array of amenities. You can dine at the hotel’s all-day restaurant and bar or take one of their recommendations for places to eat nearby. The hotel comes with a 24-hour fitness centre and a spa for treatments such as body wraps, scrubs and massages with facilities including steam room, sauna and therapy baths. Activities include bike rental, with a biking trail to navigate, and the concierge can advice you on what to do in the area, from horseback riding to golf. 

This boutique hotel next to the old city wall exudes individuality and character, with art filling each contemporary space of the historic house. Combining old and new, artworks including the modern pieces of young, local and international artists who have taken inspiration from classic Azerbaijani fine artworks, with celebrated artist Romero Britto also creating several pieces for the hotel. The interiors are appealingly decorated in shades of pink, lavender and natural tones with plenty of lush greenery in the main dining room. You can soak up your surroundings in the café, lounge and bar and head out to nearby sites such as Fountains Square and the 15th-century Palace of the Shirvanshahs.

Not only is this one of Baku’s top hotels, it’s also a part of one of the city’s modern landmarks. This trio of flame-shaped towers reaching 182 metres in height comes alight at night with LED screens displaying the movement of flames to reflect Baku’s history of worshiping fire. The Fairmont hotel inside this landmark offers luxury rooms and suites with far-reaching city and sea views, along with the Mediterranean restaurant Le Bistro, daytime lunch spot Balcon Café and bars including the sophisticated Jazz Club and rooftop H2O Pool Bar. The spa takes up two of the tower’s floors with indoor and outdoor pools, vitality pools, saunas and steam rooms and the largest hammam in the region. For exploration of the area, Fairmont’s concierge is on hand to create personalised itineraries.

Another of Baku’s high-rise hotels, the five-star JW Marriott Absheron property places you right at the heart of the city with its location on Azadliq Square, next to A.S. Pushkin’s Park and just moments from waterfront. Sumptuous rooms and suites come with spectacular views of Baku’s skyline and the Caspian Sea and the dining offering spans a range of culinary style. Try Azerbaijan-influenced dishes at ZEST Lifestyle Café, tuck into a steak at Fireworks Urban Kitchen and sample the Italian plates at OroNero Bar & Ristorante. Razzmatazz Cocktail bar & Lounge then provides the setting for sampling creative drinks. The Absheron Spa offers a variety of therapeutic treatments and there’s a steam room and sauna to unwind in, as well as atmospherically lit indoor pool.