Hotel Katerina Sarayi

It was okay. The hotel is already a bit old and one can see that. The breakfast was okay-ish. Better book without breakfast and have it in the city. The location and flair is the best part of the hotel. Their wifi is quite weak.

L’hôtel est parfaitement situé au bord de la rivière, au calme, tout en étant proche du centre ville. Les chambres sont propres et le petit déjeuner copieux. Le personnel est aimable. La connection internet est mauvaise dans la chambre 210 qui doit être trop éloignée du modem. Il n’y a pas de service de repas ni de vente d’alcool mais vous pouvez commander ou ramener de l’extérieur. Des brochures sur les sites à visiter aux alentours seraient les bienvenues au lobby. Nous avons passé un séjour très agréable malgré ces petits manques.

놀라운 호텔. 깨끗하고 넓은 객실, 맛있는 조식, 친절한 직원들. 멋진 전망이 있습니다. 강 근처의 정원과 모닥불 근처에서 제공되는 따뜻한 와인은 매우 좋았습니다. 다시 Kars에 간다면 꼭 이 호텔을 선택하겠습니다.

Really lovely midrange historic hotel - a true gem. Generously sized rooms, great buffet breakfast (don’t forget to try the local cheeses and honey) and good shower but the hotel’s real charm lies even more in its beautiful location directly behind Kars castle and next to the river. Close to all the city’s best restaurants (we liked Pushkin) and a fair price. Kars Castle and 12 Apostles’ church very close. Nice outside riverside terrace for an evening tea, coffee or soft drink (you have to sneak a little towards town if you want alcohol). Sleeping with the windows open (there are mozzie screens in place!) to the sound of the river was perfect. The hotel’s own taxi will take you to Ani or Batumi (meaning the border at Sarp) for a reasonable price and even more important with a safe and pleasant driver. Are there any minus points ? Sure: No airco or fans in the rooms so if there’s a heatwave be warned. But as Kars is one of Turkey’s highest cities (elevation 1750 metres) it doesn’t get as much sweltering summer heat as elsewhere in the region. (End July 2025: Van and Tatvan had been mid-30s C a few days earlier but Kars was only 25-27 C). No room safe or minibar; Wifi a bit dodgy. Highly recommended.

Arrived and left in the rain. Given a superior river-view room. Spacious room, comfortable bed, big radiator and lots of windows which open well. En suite rather on the small side. They seemed to cope well at breakfast despite us coinciding with a small coach party. Limited choice of hot items (chips, boiled eggs, menemen and I think pieces of beef or chicken sausage), but the menemen was the one which I have enjoyed most on this trip. Nice Turkish bread brought to the table and a wide choice of cold items including a very nice moist coconut sponge. In the absence of rain and darkness, there seems to be a pleasant quite short walk into town. Would stay again if in the area.

The hotel is small, beautiful and quite historical. The location is great. The area needs attention and support. Even though it is winter, there is a sewage smell coming from the river.