Asia

Dossier - Baku: oil and ideas

Baku, oil and ideas
Meeting with Pascal Meunier, French Ambassador to Baku

Baku, oil and ideas

By The Editor -

Published on 09/07/2015

Still unknown to the average traveller just a few years ago, Baku is gradually emerging from anonymity at the cost of heavy investment. Oil and gas, the two local treasures, have largely contributed to attracting the major players in the Azerbaijan energy market. Above all, they have given the local authorities the means to diversify the activities of the Azeri capital. From now on, Baku intends to establish its new reputation beyond fossil fuels. This strategy involves organising international events - Eurovision in 2012, the European Games this year and soon a Formula 1 Grand Prix - as well as developing modern infrastructure. The result is a profound transformation of the capital, whose business district comes and goes with the inauguration of hotels and the craziest projects. From the Flame Towers to the Bulvar, a vast promenade running alongside the Caspian Sea, the new Baku stands in stark contrast to the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It also stands in stark contrast to the architecture inherited from the Soviet era, turning towards Western-style codes, design and brands. It's hard to imagine what the destination will look like by 2020, given the frenetic pace of project development. Azerbaijan is heading towards the age of reason as it prepares for the post-oil era. But for now, on the eve of its 25th birthday, nothing seems impossible for the young republic. "Sky is the limit

How to get there

Azerbaijan Airlines (Azal), the Azeri national airline, operates four direct flights a week between Paris CDG and Baku, with an additional frequency in high season. The flights, which are code-shared with Air France, are operated by two-class Airbus A320 aircraft: Business and Economy. Journey time is 5 hours 10 minutes.

Tel: +994 12 497 85 09 - Internet: www.azal.az

There are several alternatives to the national airline, including flights with stopovers. The Istanbul hub is generally preferred by business travellers, Turkish Airlines offering three daily flights via Istanbul Ataturk (IST) and two others via Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), the other airport in Istanbul. Lufthansa, Ukraine Airlines and Aeroflot are also among the options available, with stopovers in Frankfurt, Kiev and Moscow respectively.

Hotels

A certain idea of luxury

Four Seasons Baku

In this city in constant transformation, it's good to escape the rush of modernity and find refuge in a timeless setting. Nestling between the Old Town and the Bulvar, the Four Seasons is undoubtedly the place to go to combine luxury and business. The palace, inaugurated in 2012, seems to have stepped straight out of another century. Its 171 rooms, all in marble, offer breathtaking views of the Caspian or the old town. Ideal for business trips, the hotel is also ideal for organising chic events, with its vast modular function room (640 m²). But the Four Seasons also offers a few moments of voluptuousness, around its indoor swimming pool in a sumptuous setting, or on its terrace for the pleasure of breakfast in the sunshine.

1 Neftchilar Avenue - Tel: +994 12 404 2424 - Email : - Internet : www.fourseasons.com

The challenge of modernity

Fairmont

It is surely the symbol of this new Baku, which, without really admitting it, is taking on an air of Dubai. Housed in one of the three Flame Towers, whose incandescent silhouette is adorned with multicoloured lights at dusk, the Fairmont has taken on a certain height compared with the city's other business hotels. Its 318 rooms are the embodiment of the modern hotel industry that is set to reshape Baku.

1A, Mehdi Huseyn - Tel: + 994 12 565 48 48 - Email: baku@fairmont.com - Internet: www.fairmont.fr/baku

International standards

Hilton

It's hard to miss this imposing building overlooking the Caspian Sea, just a stone's throw from Bulvar. The Hilton offers everything that business travellers are looking for, from highly functional rooms to 18 meeting rooms. At dusk, business travellers and locals inevitably converge on the 25th floor, where the 360 bar offers a breathtaking view of Baku.

1B Azadlig Avenue - Tel: +994 12 4645000 - Email: baku.sales@hilton.com - Internet: www.hilton.com

Design and decontacted

JW Marriott Absheron

Also located on the Bulvar, just opposite the Hilton, the 243-key JW Marriott is distinguished by its contemporary design. The hotel's location makes it a very popular venue. The Zest restaurant, where business travellers can enjoy local specialities in a relaxed atmosphere, is no stranger to this, as is its Sharg Zali hall, which can accommodate more than 1,000 guests.

674 Azadliq Square - Tel: +994 12 499 88 88 Internet: www.marriott.fr

And also...

Hyatt Regency Baku 1033 Izmir Street - Tel: +994 12 490 1234 - Email: baku.hotels@hyatt.com - Internet: baku.regency.hyatt.com

The Landmark Hotel Baku 90A Nizami Street - Tel: +994 12 465 2000 - Email: info@thelandmarkhotel.az - Internet: www.thelandmarkhotel.az

Sultan Inn Boutique Hotel Boyuk Gala 20, Icheri Sheher - Tel: +994 12 437 23 05-10 - Internet: www.sultaninn.com

Holiday Inn Keykab Khanim Safaraliyeva Street 5 - Tel: +994 12 599 11 00 - Email: info@hi-baku.com - Internet: www.ihg.com

Divan Express Baku Hasanoglu Street 15 - Tel: +99 4 12 564 2555 - Email: info.divanepxressbaku@divan.com - Internet: www.divan.com.tr

One airport, one show

Heydar Aliyev International Airport illustrates the particular attention paid by the local authorities to architecture and image. The new terminal, inaugurated a few months ago, is notable for the use of wood to create giant cocoons offering warm shelter to departing passengers. All with free and unlimited Wi-Fi access. Azal passengers travelling in Business Class can take comfort a step further by accessing one of the airline's two lounges, located on either side of the security checkpoints.

Faster, higher, stronger

In winning the bid to host the first European Games (from 12 to 28 June 2015), Baku embarked on a race against time. The BEGOC, the organising committee, succeeded in building a range of top-of-the-range sports facilities in two and a half years, compared with the seven years usually allowed for an Olympic city. These new facilities will be used for more than just the European Sports Fortnight, and are destined to be used beyond the event, in the same way as the Olympic stadium, which will host a Euro football quarter-final in 2020. Like all host cities, Baku has also taken the opportunity to improve its transport and communications infrastructure, including a brand new airport terminal. But above all, these first European Games are highly strategic. Like Eurovision in 2012 and the forthcoming Formula 1 Grand Prix next year, they should help the general public - and business travellers - to situate the country on the world map. As the New York Times headlined back in 2013: "Azerbaijan is rich. Now it wants to be famous".

Restaurants

Modern

Le Pasifico

Just a few minutes from the old town, Pasifico seems light years away from traditional Baku. It's trendy, lounge-like, with a subdued atmosphere enhanced by fluorescent accents. The cuisine also plays the modern card, combining local and Western flavours. Bonus: a terrace overlooking the Caspian.

34 Neftchilar Avenue, Seaside Boulevard - Tel: +994 12 404 82 12 - Email: reservations@pasifico-dining.az Internet: pasifico-dining.az

Traditional

Mugham Klub

The old town boasts a number of popular addresses for business travellers, including the Mugham Klub. Entering this former caravanserai, you can imagine the Silk Road traders who once made Baku rich. Today, it is local and foreign businessmen who come to enjoy tasty Azeri cuisine in its pleasant patio.

9 H. Rzayeva Street - Tel: +994 12 492 40 85 Email: mugamclub@mail.ru

Flavours from the East

Chinar

One of Baku's most popular addresses, Chinar offers a wide range of Asian specialities. Accustomed to welcoming business clients and groups, the trendy atmosphere is reminiscent of Pasifico. There's nothing illogical about that, since both are part of the Saffron group, which also runs the trendy Buddha Bar.

1 Shovkat Alakbarova - Tel: +994 12 404 82 11 Email: reservations@chinar-dining.az Internet: www.chinar-dining.az

Warm

Mangal Steak House

At the southern end of Bulvar, the Mangal Steak House is well worth the few minutes in the taxi, not least for its vast stone room dominated by a charming trellis. Wooden tables, candelabras and a pretty fountain give the place a warm atmosphere. Plus: a wide choice of private rooms.

Murtuza Mukhtarov street, 3 Aydin Nasirov - Tel: +994 12 505 10 11

On the go

Input

The Entrée bakery chain, launched in Georgia by a Frenchman, arrived in Baku last year. It's a great place to enjoy a wide variety of salads in a cosy setting, as well as a wide selection of sweet pastries and ice creams. Ideal for a relaxed business breakfast or a weekend brunch.

Dilara Alieva Street, 220.

And also...

Sumakh 20/22 Khojali Ave. - Tel: +994 12 480 21 12

Buddha Bar JW Marriott Absheron, 3rd floor, Azadliq Square 674 - Tel: +994 12 404 82 09

Tosca 34 Neftchiler Avenue, Seaside Boulevard - Tel: +994 12 404 82 12 - Email: reservations@tosca-dining.az - Internet: pasifico-dining.az

Shopping

Let's be warned straight away: Baku is not a cheap destination, far from it. For window-shoppers, Bulvar offers a bevy of luxury boutiques, with designer names following in the footsteps of the great jewellers and perfumers. For those on a more modest budget, the shopping malls - notably Port Baku, in the business district - are springing up like mushrooms and offer truly attractive prices during the sales period.

Bleisure

If you have one or two hours...

A visit to the old town is a must. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and therefore protected from any transformation, 'Icheri Sherer' is tiny - no more than two hectares - and can be visited in less than two hours. There are two major stops: the Shirvanshah palacedating from the 15th century, and the Maiden TowerAt the top, you can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the past tense and the near future. Another, more modern option, the Heydar Aliyev cultural centredesigned by Zaha Hadid, is well worth a visit. The building, located between the city centre and the airport - a fast-growing area that could well become a new business district - houses a museum and an ultra-modern auditorium.

... or an afternoon

Looking further afield, travellers can venture to visit one of the two curiosities of the Bakin hinterland. Some sixty kilometres to the south, the Gobustan reserveThe UNESCO World Heritage site offers a strange spectacle of mud volcanoes. You can also admire thousands of petroglyphs and cave paintings. For snow sports fans, the artificial ski resort of ShahdagAbout 2? hours from the capital, you can ski with the help of snow cannons.