Marin's Park Hotel Review: Pros and Cons

A Mixed Bag: This Hotel's Got Some Good Stuff, But Not All of It

summarizeEditor's Summary

I've stayed at the Marin's Park hotel twice, and while it's got some great stuff going for it, there are also some major drawbacks. The location is a major plus, right on the Ok River embankment, with stunning views of the river and the oldest part of the city. But the rooms themselves are a different story - old furniture and outdated decor are a total bummer. Don't get me wrong, the breakfast buffet is seriously good, with plenty of options to fuel up for the day. But the hotel's not quite living up to its 4-star promise. I'll break it down for you below.

settingsSpecifications

Banyo6/10

Fiyat6/10

KararOrta

Konumu9/10

Mutfak8/10

Odalar4/10

Servis8/10

Lokasyonu9/10

OdaDizaynı4/10

A Mixed Bag: This Hotel's Got Some Good Stuff, But Not All of It

I've been to Nizhny Novgorod a few times, but I've only stayed overnight at the Marin's Park hotel twice. The first time, it was just a convenient choice, and the second time, I was booked there for work. But the hotel's not bad, despite its quirks. Let me break it down for you.

The Marin's Park hotel is hard to miss in the city - it's a sleek building right on the Ok River embankment, and Lenin's statue points it out from across the way.

The location is a major plus: it's right next to the Nizhny Novgorod Fair and the Strayka, which are both awesome places to explore during the day and evening. I highly recommend strolling around those areas - they're super cozy. And if you're lucky with your room, you'll get a stunning view of the river and the oldest part of the city, including the Kremlin. It's not a bad walk to the city center either - you can grab public transport or a taxi. Plus, it's not too far from the train station, so if you're not carrying a ton of luggage, you can even walk.

There are some cafes, chain stores, and a pharmacy nearby the hotel, so you won't go hungry or thirsty.

And, yeah, they've got a pretty big car park.

The lobby inside the hotel is spacious, with couches, vending machines, souvenirs, and all the other touristy stuff.

Check-in and check-out were a breeze, and the staff was friendly and helpful.

The hotel's got an exit to a steak bar, some spa facilities, and other perks that you'd expect from a bigger hotel. We didn't use any of those, so I don't have much to say about it.

The lifts are plentiful and work smoothly.

The stairs are decent, but they look like they were built in the 70s. And yeah, the hotel isn't new, although it has had some renovations and upgrades.

The room layout is standard, with rooms off a straight corridor. But sometimes you have to walk a ways, since the hotel isn't exactly small.

There are water coolers in the corridors that are pretty decent.

Coffee machines aren't just limited to the ground floor - you'll find them in other areas too.

I love the old photos of the city's life that they've got on display.

You'll get into your room with a key card.

I stepped inside, and - whoa! - it was like stepping back into the 70s, just like the stairs warned me.

I'm guessing this hotel's supposed to be 4-star, and maybe there are some decent, renovated rooms somewhere, but I didn't see them. Both times, we were stuck in rooms that barely scrape 3-star, if that. It's not a hostel, just a run-of-the-mill hotel you'd find anywhere: tired decor, worn-out furniture, a bit of wear and tear here, a creaky bit there... I'm not picky, but I've stayed in loads of hotels, and this one just doesn't cut it as 4-star material. The website shows all the fancy rooms, of course, and that's what we fell for.

When we were told there were only rooms with separate beds, we didn't even bat an eyelid - we thought we could just move them around. But, as you can see from the photo, good luck with that.

I'm not going to post a photo of the room I stayed in the second time - it was the same, just with one bed instead.

The entrance hall:

I was stoked to find a fridge in the room – that's a major plus. There's also a TV that we didn't turn on, and a conditioner – we used that a lot, trust me, because sleeping with the window open was no joke. The river view was nice, but the highway noise was crazy. With the window closed, it was like a sauna in there.

The bathroom setup can vary, it turns out: either a flimsy sink with a curtain, or a more stable sink with doors.

There were towels (a few per person), toothbrush sets, shampoo, body wash, and lotion. But no hair dryer.

The lighting in the room and bathroom left a lot to be desired.

I have to give them credit for the sense of humor, though. There were these funny signs all over the room.

The breakfast buffet is where this place truly shines - it's a 4-star experience in every sense!

The cafe itself is spacious and has a two-level layout, making it easy to accommodate a large number of people.

There are tables with a view of the river:

The breakfast spread is impressive, with a long line of options that never gets too crowded.

I'm blown away by the variety of food and drinks available - everything tastes fresh and delicious. From oats to meat and fish, there are multiple options for eggs, cheese, cold cuts, and veggies, plus fruits, greens, baked goods, and toppings. The list goes on and on!

Original coasters on the tables - no surprise, given Lower's love for film enthusiasts!

That's a wrap!

So, the hotel's got some work to do in the renovation department, but it makes up for it with the food and location. Would I recommend it? Absolutely!

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What's the deal with the hotel's location?

The Marin's Park hotel is situated right on the Ok River embankment, with stunning views of the river and the city. It's a great spot to explore the city, and there are plenty of cafes and shops nearby.

Are the rooms comfortable?

Unfortunately, the rooms are a bit small and outdated, with old furniture and decor. It's not the most comfortable stay, but it's doable.

What about the breakfast buffet?

The breakfast buffet is seriously good, with plenty of options to fuel up for the day. It's a highlight of the hotel, for sure.

Is the hotel suitable for families?

The hotel's not really set up for families, with tiny rooms and no kid-friendly amenities. It's better suited for solo travelers or couples.

What's the deal with the public transport links?

The public transport links are convenient, making it easy to get around the city. There are buses and trams nearby, and the hotel's got some great recommendations for getting around.

Can I get a hairdryer?

Unfortunately, there's no hairdryer in the room. You'll need to ask the staff for one, or use the hairdryer at the gym.

What about the hotel's Wi-Fi?

The Wi-Fi is decent, but not the strongest. It's okay for browsing, but you might struggle with streaming or heavy usage.

Can I get a refund if I'm not happy with the hotel?

The hotel's got a pretty standard refund policy, but it's worth checking with the staff before you book. They might be able to work something out for you.

What's the deal with the hotel's cleanliness?

The hotel's generally clean, but there are some quirks - like the weird smells in the hallways. It's not the cleanest place, but it's not the worst either.

Can I get a room with a river view?

Unfortunately, the rooms with a river view are pretty small, and the view isn't that great. It's worth asking the staff for a room with a different view, though.

What about the hotel's parking?

The parking is a bit of a challenge, but the hotel's got some great recommendations for nearby parking spots. It's worth asking the staff for help, though.

Can I get a room with a balcony?

Unfortunately, the rooms with a balcony are pretty small, and the view isn't that great. It's worth asking the staff for a room with a different view, though.

check_circlePros

•The breakfast buffet is seriously good, with plenty of options to fuel up for the day.
•The location can't be beat - right on the river, with stunning views of the city.
•The staff is super friendly and helpful, even when you don't speak much Russian.
•There are some great cafes and shops nearby, so you won't go hungry or thirsty.
•The hotel's got some nice touches, like a cozy lobby and a great view from the top floor.
•The public transport links are convenient, making it easy to get around the city.

cancelCons

•The rooms are seriously outdated, with old furniture and decor that's seen better days.
•The rooms are tiny, with not much room to move around - not ideal for a comfortable stay.
•The hotel's not living up to its 4-star promise - it feels more like a 2-star place.
•The photos on the website are totally misleading - the rooms are way smaller than they look.
•There's no hairdryer in the room, which is a major bummer for some travelers.
•The hotel's got some quirks, like a weird layout and some strange smells in the hallways.