Booking Hotels in Azerbaijan: Platforms, Tips & Scams to Avoid

Finding a place to stay in Azerbaijan is easy, but there are a few local quirks you should know to save money and avoid headaches.

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Best Booking Platforms 📱

1. Booking.com (The King) 👑

• Best For: Hotels, hostels, and guesthouses.
• Why: It's the most widely used platform in Azerbaijan. Most properties have "Free Cancellation" and "Pay at Property" options.
• Tip: Use the map view to ensure the hotel is actually near a metro station.

2. Airbnb (The Local Experience) 🏠

• Best For: Apartments, long stays.
• Why: You can find incredible apartments in historic buildings for $30-50/night.
• Warning: Some hosts list apartments that look nothing like the photos. Only book places with 5+ recent reviews.

3. Agoda (The Budget Option) 📉

• Best For: Last-minute deals.
• Why: Sometimes cheaper than Booking.com for the exact same room. Always compare.

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Important: The "Marriage Certificate" Rule 💍

This is crucial for couples.

• Foreign Couples: Unmarried foreign couples CAN share a room without any issues. No questions asked.
• Mixed Couples (Foreigner + Azerbaijani): Some conservative hotels may ask for a marriage certificate.
• Azerbaijani Couples: Almost all hotels require a marriage certificate for Azerbaijani couples to share a room.

If you are a foreigner traveling with your partner, you are fine.

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Registration Requirement (The 15-Day Rule) 📝

If you stay more than 15 days, you must register with the police.

• Hotels: Will do this for you automatically.
• Airbnb: Most hosts WILL NOT do this for you. You must do it yourself online.
• Advice: If staying >15 days, book a hotel for the first few nights and ask them to register you.

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Hidden Fees & Scams ⚠️

1. "City Tax": There is usually a small city tax, but it should be included in your Booking.com price. If a hotel asks for extra "tax" in cash, check your booking confirmation first.
2. "Cash Only": Many small hotels and guesthouses claim their card machine is "broken." Always carry enough cash to pay for your stay, just in case.
3. The "Bait and Switch": You book a sea view room, but get a street view. Check the room before you pay.

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When to Book 📅

• F1 Weekend (April/Sept): Book 6 months in advance. Prices triple.
• Novruz (March): Book 2-3 months in advance.
• Summer (July-Aug): Book 1 month in advance for beach resorts.
• Winter: Last-minute deals are common.

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Summary

• Use Booking.com for safety and flexibility.
• Bring Cash as backup.
• Don't worry about marriage certificates if you are foreigners.
• Book early for F1 and Novruz.

Sleep tight! 🛌