Yerevan, ArmeniaKentron
Hotel Alexander
Black-tuff design tower
Kentron Yerevan, Armenia
Opened
2018
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Wellness HeritageOutside the door
The house
MarriottBlack-tuff design tower
Behind an eighteenth-century black tuff entrance, this modern tower gives Yerevan a sleek downtown stay grounded in local craftsmanship.
“We enter our hotel through a typically over-scaled Stalinesque archway. Built in 1958 and operated by Intourist as Hotel Armenia, it’s now the Marriott Yerevan.”
What it’s good at
Notable
Alexander James Interiors dressed the rooms in gold accents, framed stone carvings, and Armenian motifs.
Notable
An eleventh-floor indoor heated pool looks out toward Mount Ararat through floor-to-ceiling glass.
Listed
A restored eighteenth-century black tuff stone tannery facade marks the street-level entrance.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in AFAR.
Inside, Alexander James International led the interiors: 114 rooms with gold accents and Armenian motifs, lobby tilework evoking the surrounding mountains, and antique jars borrowed from the National History Museum.
In a lively part of town
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Abovyan Street leads straight to Republic Square, and the restaurants along Pushkin Street sit just around the corner.
The rooms
Rooms have framed stone carvings and gold accents, with carpets inspired by traditional Armenian patterns.
The pool and hammam
Bring a swimsuit.
An ornate carved stone ceiling spans the heated indoor pool, and the thermal suite includes a traditional hammam.
The spa
Private suites use Anne Semonin skincare for bespoke facials, and daybeds in the limestone lounge face Mount Ararat.
Restaurant
Italiano Ristorante
The top-floor dining room serves Italian dishes beside a grand piano. Outside, the terrace looks across to Mount Ararat.
At the table
Gabriel's Bar and Lounge pours locally inspired cocktails in the lobby, where velvet armchairs surround an illuminated bar counter.
How it began
Founder Sergei Hambardzumyan named the hotel after his father, preserving an eighteenth-century war hero's tannery workshop at the entrance.
Yerevan
More like this
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.