Exclusive Interview with Mr. Martin Kleinmann – President of Azerbaijan Hotel Association & CEO at Absheron Hotel Group.
Absheron Hotel Group is a young hotel management and development company in Azerbaijan. With a hotel portfolio that provides world-class hospitality experiences, a unique compilation of hotels where each property is a solo creation with its distinctive concept, spirit and audience with a strong emphasis on detail and personal touch. An extraordinary combination of innovative design and architecture with exceptional locations and facilities.
With the establishment of the company in 2013, the Group aims to become a strategic hospitality industry player with a medium-term aspiration of taking a leading position in the national and regional markets through establishing a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts. This portfolio stretches across various hotel categories from mid-scale to luxury hotels and other hospitality entities both in and outside of Baku.
The Group owns two luxury hotels in the capital of Azerbaijan, namely Four Seasons and JW Marriott Absheron, which are managed by respective international hotel management companies.
Absheron Hotel Group directly manages currently additional 8 hotels. Two five-star deluxe hotels in Shahdag Mountain Resort. Hotels within a new world class ski resort destination in the north of Azerbaijan. Pik Palace and Park Chalet, both Autograph Collection. Two contemporary and modern hotels in the center of Baku: Luxury Boutique, Dinamo Hotel Baku, member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World is a sublime choice for all travelers wanting to experience the beautiful city in style and recently opened on Spring 2020, ‘The Merchant Baku’ a 63 rooms boutique hotel in the heard of Baku. The biggest conference hotel in the region, the 818-room Boulevard Hotel, Autograph Collection and a heritage hotel the Intourist, Autograph Collection both close to the Baltic sea. One property in the beachside area of Bilgah along the famous sea-front promenade as well as a luxury villa resort in Bodrum on Turkey’s Aegean coast, member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
Furthermore Absheron Hotel Group has two more properties in Baku (Winter Boulevard & Yelken Tower) and one in Tbilisi, which are currently under development or construction, scheduled to open within the next 24 months.
Bilgah Beach Hotel
This dramatic waterfront setting creates an incomparable location for meetings and events by the golden sands of the Absheron coast.
- 21 km from Baku airport
- 176 guest rooms and 14 private villas
- 5 meeting rooms
- 2 ballrooms
Dinamo Hotel Baku
The iconic Dinamo Hotel is one of Baku’s best examples of architectural constructivism, ideal for intimate meetings and well catered to with a range of professional services.
- 24 km from Baku airport
- 28 guest rooms
- 1 meeting room
To maintain the intrinsic value of the building, designed internally by Alberto Pinto, one of the world’s most famous interior designers. The novelty of the building aims to emphasize the best qualities of the city and the local culture, utilizing elements such as traditional rug patterns on stone mosaic floors to offer guests a warm and inviting home away from home.
Intourist Hotel Baku, Autograph Collection
Stylish venue with a fully-equipped meeting room overlooking the Caspian waterfront, the Intourist is a remodelled version of a 1930s classic.
- 27 km from Baku airport
- 150 guest rooms
- 1 meeting room
Boulevard Hotel Baku, Autograph Collection
With size, space and so much seaside, this hotel prides itself on being the largest conference hotel in the Caucasus and is well capable of hosting a wide range of events.
- 23 km from Baku airport
- 818 guest rooms
- 12 meeting rooms
- 1 ballroom
Park Chalet, Autograph Collection
Merging a cozy atmosphere with luxury design, breathtaking views and superb meeting facilities.
- 220 km from Baku airport
- 164 guest rooms
- 4 meeting rooms
- 25 meter indoor pool
Pik Palace, Shahdag, Autograph Collection
The premier luxury destination in the Shahdag Mountain Resort located 220 kilometers north from Baku
- 29.7 km from the centre of Gusar city
- 167 guest rooms
- 5 meeting rooms
The Merchant Baku
Very charming luxury brand new venue that features 63 glamorous bedrooms, individually designed in French, Art Deco and Art Nouveau features. The magnificent lounge bar is the centerpiece of this historic building in the heart of Baku. The Merchant Baku is located in the magnificent, historical building that was once the headquarters of the Caspian Shipping Company. Built in 1858, the iconic architecture reflects a golden era in Azerbaijani history which can be seen in murals of old merchant ships that once sailed the Caspian Sea.
Allium Villas Resort Bodrum
A “hidden gem”, within the Bodrum peninsula, offering a ”perfect hideaway”, creating relaxation, memorable moments and a tailor made break from daily life.
- 36 suites and rooms with uninterrupted views across the Aegean Sea
- Wellness & Spa with outdoor infinity pool
- Private beach
To fight this pandemic, AHG has made some of its facilities available to the government, hosted about 700 health professionals, including doctors and nurses, during the last two months.
“I feel fortunate because the people, have that natural sense of hospitality here in Azerbaijan, have so many young talents who really want to learn, they know that their natural instinct is to look after the guests and if you feed them with a little bit of knowledge for a little bit of experience, then they strife”.
The aim of the Azerbaijan Hotel Association is to unite hospitality as a dedicated association for the hotels and hospitality industry. Its mission is to be the voice of the Azerbaijani hospitality industry, whilst supporting on going initiatives to foster stable growth of the country’s tourism sector.
Currently working on the national star classification, being a member of that classification system operating in 17 European countries and will adopt the same international standards operating on the same level.
“I think it is one of the industries that has the greatest growth potential. I think that everyone who joins our industry has the opportunity to be part of the development of something extremely special and gives them the opportunity to work literally everywhere.”
“People want to travel” stated Mr. Kleinmann. President of the Azerbaijan Hotel Association and CEO of Absheron Hotel Group.
Azerbaijan is a country of unique nature, unmatched culture, and centuries of customs, traditions and cuisine; a place that will not fail to meet even the highest expectations of the most sophisticated guest while upholding its hospitable and friendly Caucasian roots. Here eastern colors combine magnificently with western progress. Offering a world-class hotel portfolio, equipped infrastructure, perspective, an incredible new airport, and a state-of-the-art convention center.
Absheron Hotel Group works to bring Azerbaijan, as a Destination on the global map. It has enormous growth potential, excellent services that invite people to observe, to have another look at a rich culture and heritage, amazing nature, an important history, high-quality equipped facilities, lifestyle products, incredible services and warm hospitality.
