The Perla De Mar Hotel

Anchored on Kichik Qala, a narrow stone lane inside Baku's walled Icherisheher, The Perla De Mar occupies a restored townhouse steps from the Maiden Tower and the Shirvanshahs' Palace complex — a compact base for travellers who want the Old City on foot rather than a taxi ride away.

Rooms stay soundproofed against the lane's foot traffic, with air conditioning and walk-in closets standard. The property runs its own concierge and bike tours rather than outsourcing them, and a shuttle covers the run to Heydar Aliyev International.

The coffee house downstairs opens before the tower's ticket booth does.