Hostel Glide, Yerevan

Offering a mix of private rooms and shared dormitories with private and shared bathroom options, Hostel Glide is a basic budget option in a peaceful district of Yerevan.  Decorated in neutral colours, it is an oasis of calm in a busy city.  Located on Galents Street, it is not exactly central, but if you are looking for a more peaceful stay and do not mind a 15 minute drive to the train station or airport or a 10-minute walk to attractions such as the Yerevan Opera House, then this is the place for you.

Arrival Information

Check in is from 2pm and checkout is until 12 noon.  This property only accepts cash and in accordance with Armenian law, payment can only be accepted in Armenian Dram. 

Services and Amenities

This hostel offers a range of services and facilities, including: free public parking, on site, without reservation; 24-hour front desk; tour desk; shuttle service; free Wi-Fi in all areas; a garden; fantastic views from rooms; luggage storage; laundry and ironing services; meeting and banqueting facilities; and bicycle rental service.

Guest Rooms

Hostel Glide has 6 different room rates available: Double or Twin Room with Shared Bathroom; Standard Double or Twin Room; Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room; Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room; Single Room with Shared Bathroom; Standard Single Room.  Rates start at an amazingly reasonable 6,217 AMD per night and rise to a reasonable 15,199 AMD per night (as of March 2014).  Children cannot be accommodated at the hostel, at all.  Pets are allowed for no extra cost.  The hostel is non-smoking throughout, there is heating and fans in the rooms and hardwood/parquet flooring throughout.

Trip Advisor Rating and Testimonials                                       

Overall, this hotel/hostel has been awarded 5 stars out of 5 on the Trip Adviser website (written by independent visitors to the hotel).  When broken down, the hotel received: 5 stars for service and value; and 4.5 stars for sleep quality, cleanliness and rooms; and 4 stars for location.  Some of the guests said the following:

‘A home from home - brilliant!’

‘A place to come back to.’

‘Makes my second home!’

‘Excellent hosts.’

Overall, a great alternative if you are wanting somewhere away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

Travelers Hostel, Yerevan

Travelers Hostel is budget accommodation with excellent reviews on Trip Adviser.  It offers a basic, but very clean, bright and comfortable place to stay at extremely reasonable rates during your visit to Armenia’s capital.  Located in the heart of Yerevan, on the Abovyan Pushkin Street crossroad, you will find that this is an ideal base for touring the city – you will be near Republic Square, Northern Avenue and the Cascade; only 300 metres from Hraparak Metro Station; and 400 metres from Freedom Square.

Arrival Information

Check in is from 1pm and checkout is until 12 noon.  Accepted forms of payment are: Maestro, MasterCard or Visa.  The hostel reserves the right to pre-authorise your card prior to your arrival.

Services and Amenities

This hostel offers a range of services and facilities, including: 24-hour service at reception; free linen, blankets and pillows (towels can be hired); free Wi-Fi; free continental breakfast; free luggage storage; travel desk and tours; common room with 10 beds; kitchen and small dining room; free bicycle parking zone, with locks; reception desk; air conditioning; clean bathrooms; free safe box at reception; daily maid service; multilingual staff (Armenian, Russian and English); first aid kit; free tea and coffee, all day; and laundry (for a surcharge).

Guest Rooms

Envoy Hostel has 3 different room rates available: Economy Twin Room with Shared Bathroom; Bed in a 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room; and Single Bed in 5-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room.  Rates start at an amazingly reasonable 5,527 AMD per night and rise to a very reasonable 17,962 AMD per night (as of March 2014).  Children under 5 who do not require a bed, stay free.  An extra bed for an older child/adult will be charged at 5000 AMD per night.  Any extra bed or cot will need to be confirmed by management.  Pets are allowed, on request – but charges may be applicable.

Trip Advisor Rating and Testimonials                                       

Overall, this hotel/hostel has been awarded 4.5 stars out of 5 on the Trip Adviser website (written by independent visitors to the hotel).  When broken down, the hotel received: 5 stars for service and location; and 4.5 stars for sleep quality, value, cleanliness and rooms.  Some of the guests said the following:

‘Excellent hostel and staff.’

‘Big and comfortable rooms, great location.’

‘One of the best in the city.’

‘Very good!’

This is another great alternative to a hotel that offers great value for money.

Envoy Hostel, Yerevan

Envoy Hostel, Yerevan

Envoy Hostel in Yerevan offers excellence in budget accommodation, which can be identified by the fact that they have been awarded Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence three years running – from 2011 through to 2013. Primarily, it offers a clean, colourful and comfortable space to stay in at extremely reasonable prices. Therefore, if you are looking for budget accommodation, you may want to take a look at Envoy. However, a unique selling point of this hostel is that if you have a social conscience and are concerned with the environment, this is an organisation that takes pride in caring for the environment and giving back to the community; so by choosing to stay with them, you are helping them to help others. As a further bonus, it is also situated in the heart of Yerevan and, as such, is only a leisurely walk away from the main tourist attractions, pubs and eateries.

Arrival Information
Check in is after 2pm and checkout is up to 11am. Accepted forms of payment are: Maestro, MasterCard or Visa. Payment required is paid on arrival, for the night ahead or the total stay. By law, cash can only be accepted in the local currency.

Services and Amenities
This hotel/hostel offers a range of services and facilities, including: air conditioning; 24-hour reception; free breakfast; free Internet access and Wi-Fi; airport pickup; free tours; free tea/coffee facility; kitchen; personal lockers; bed linen and towels; a common room; fun and games; satellite television; laundry facilities; central heating; 24-hour water; free luggage storage; and car rental.

They also run a schedule of fun events, which can be viewed at: http://www.envoyhostel.com/hostel/whatson.php

Guest Rooms
Envoy Hostel has 10 different room rates available, which vary between two seasons: 8 Person Standard Shared Room, 4 Person Standard Shared Room, 8 Person Superior Shared Room, 4 Person Superior Shared Room, 4 Person Private Room Shared Bathroom, 1 Person Private Room Shared Bathroom, 2 Person Private Room (Double Bed) Shared Bathroom, 2 Person Private Room (Bunk Bed) Shared Bathroom, 2 Person Ensuite Room Private Bathroom and 1 Person Ensuite Room Private Bathroom. During low season, between 1 November and 31 March, prices start at an amazingly reasonable 5,300 AMD per night and rise to a reasonable 24,000 AMD per night (as of March 2014). During high season, between 1 April and 31 October, prices start at an amazingly reasonable 5,700 AMD per night and rise to a reasonable 30,000 AMD per night (as of March 2014). Children not requiring a bed, stay free. If you would like to know what facilities and amenities are available in each room, please visit: http://www.envoyhostel.com/hostel/facilities.php?cat_id=18

Trip Advisor Rating and Testimonials
Overall, this hotel/hostel has been awarded 4.5 stars out of 5 on the Trip Adviser website (written by independent visitors to the hotel). When broken down, the hotel received: 5 stars for service and location; and 4.5 stars for sleep quality, value, cleanliness and rooms. Some of the guests said the following:

‘Wonderful place to stay with very kind staff and fun tours!’

‘Absolutely amazing place with great tours!’

‘Friendly, caring and welcoming.’

‘Great location, fantastic staff, good value.’

This is another great alternative to a hotel that offers value for money in a unique package.

Penthouse Hotel and Hostel, Yerevan

Koryun St. Yerevan

Are you looking for a true alternative to the traditional hotel or Bed and Breakfast during your visit to Armenia’s capital city? Well, why not consider the Penthouse Hotel and Hostel in Yerevan? Located in the centre of Yerevan and awarded Top Hostel in Armenia by HOOSCAR in 2013, this budget accommodation can offer you comfort and hospitality at very affordable prices. The hostel is decorated in a rainbow of bright, cheerful colours that reflect what an exhilarating, fascinating and pleasurable place this is to stay – with fabulous balconies that offer stunning views of biblical Mount Ararat and occasional celebration parties held during Armenian and International holidays. Just around the corner from the city’s main bus station and a metro station, this establishment is also in close proximity to several top attractions: Matenadaran, the Cascade, the Opera House and Republic Square, just to name a few.

Arrival Information
Check in is after 1pm and checkout is up to 12 noon. Accepted forms of payment are: American Express, Maestro, MasterCard, Visa Electron or Visa.

Services and Amenities
This hotel/hostel offers a range of services and facilities free, including (but not limited to): 24-hour check in and checkout; Armenian/Continental Breakfast; a common space with karaoke, satellite television and board games; Wi-Fi in common space and room; seminar, conference and cultural event facilities; views of Mount Ararat from the balconies; multilingual staff (English, French, Russian, Italian and Armenian); a tour desk; maps of Yerevan; washing machine, iron and hairdryer; daily housekeeping; air conditioning and heating; linen and towels; tea and coffee amenities; equipped kitchen; baggage storage; safe at reception; First Aid Kit and medical aid; babysitting or childcare; and celebration parties (during certain holidays).

For an extra charge, the following services are available: tours around Armenia and in Yerevan for group reservations (six people and more); arrival and departure point transfer; vehicle hire and car rental; and dinner or lunch delivery.

Guest Rooms
Penthouse Hotel and Hostel has 7 different room rates available, which vary between two seasons: 8-Bed Dorm, Twin Room, Double Room, Triple Room, Quad Room, Private Deluxe 3 Bed Apartment and a Single Room. During low season, between 1 November and 15 March, prices start at an amazingly reasonable 4,300 AMD per night to stay in the 8-Bed Dorm and rise to a reasonable 30,000 AMD per night for the Private Deluxe 3 Bed Apartment (as of March 2014). During high season, between 15 March and 31 October, prices start at an amazingly reasonable 5,500 AMD per night to stay in the 8-Bed Dorm and rise to a reasonable 31,200 AMD per night for the Private Deluxe 3 Bed Apartment (as of March 2014). Infants staying with their parents in existing beds stay free. If you would like to know what facilities and amenities are available in each room, please visit: http://www.penthousehostel.org/index.php/component/content/article/175

Trip Advisor Rating and Testimonials
Overall, this hotel/hostel has been awarded 4.5 stars out of 5 on the Trip Adviser website (written by independent visitors to the hotel). When broken down, the hotel received: 4.5 stars for cleanliness, service, sleep quality, value and location; and 4 stars for rooms. Some of the guests said the following:

‘Excellent’

‘Excellent hostel’

‘If you want to travel without research...PENTHOUSE’

‘Very good place’

If you want an alternative experience, you won’t regret taking a look at this unique hotel/hostel.

Armenian Opera

Yerevan Opera House

It was Dikran Tchouhadjian (1837-98) who founded the tradition of Opera in Armenia. He was a big admirer of Verdi and studied his work at length whilst undertaking his musical education in Milan. Born in Constantinople (in what was the Ottoman Empire) he was a political and musical nationalist who combined Armenian influences with Western ideas in his work.

In 1868 he wrote what is regarded as the first Armenian Opera with the ground breaking Arshak Erkrord, however it was not until 1945 that the Opera was fully staged. The story was about an Armenian prince who served as a Roman Client King of Arsacid Armenia from 350 until 368.


Arshak Erkrord
Tovmas Terzian is another composer who has contributed heavily to the Armenian Opera, especially with his work The Libretto which is also based upon the life of Arshak Erkrord who was a popular Armenian hero from classical times. Furthermore, he contributed many notable operas including: Arifi khardakhutyune (1872), Zemire (1891), Kyose Kyokhva (1891), Lelebidi (1892) and Indiana (1892).

Anoush
In 1878, Armen Tigranian (see separate article regarding Tigranian) was born and he went on to become one of Armenia’s most influential composers. He wrote the opera Anoush in 1908 and it was set in the Armenia countryside and made heavy use of Armenian folk music and culture and is perhaps the most popular Armenian musical or theatrical work. The opera is a tragic love story set in an Armenian village; Anoush is a young girl who falls in love with a local shepherd who is murdered by a rival.

Despite being first performed in 1912 in Alexandrapol it was not until 1935 that the opera had its first professional staging at the Armenian National Opera Theatre, even now Anoush remains in the repertoire of the Armenian National Theatre.

David Bek
Before he died Tigranian’s wrote his last and arguably most famous opera David Bek (1950), based upon the novel David Bek (1882) by the Armenian author Hakob Melik Hakobian better known by his pen name of Raffi. It was based upon the life of the national hero David Bek and is set in the 18th Century where a struggle between Armenians and Persians unfolds. With Tigranian’s untimely death in 1950 the opera was completed by Levon Khoja-Eynatov and G. Budaghyan.

Life Under Soviet Rule (1922 -1991)

Life Under Soviet Rule (1922 -1991)

In 1922 Armenia was annexed by the newly established Bolshevist Russia and they, along with Georgia and Azervaijan, were incorporated into the Soviet Union becoming part of the Transcaucasian SFSR. However, this lasted only until 1936 when the three countries were once again separated into three distinct countries, namely Georgian SSR, Armenian SSR and Azerbaijan SSR.

Stability
Despite being occupied and under Soviet rule, for the first time in many decades Armenians were able to enjoy a period of comparative stability. The Soviet overloads provided food, medicine and other essential provisions direct from Moscow and their rule proved to be kinder than the Armenian people experienced under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.

Church
However, as with many religions under Soviet rule, the Armenian Church struggled and when Lenin died in 1924 things got a lot worse under the rule of new leader Joseph Stalin. Many ethnic Armenian groups suffered under this new regime and during Stalin’s Great Purge (1934-1939) tens of thousands of Armenian citizens were deported or executed.

World War II
The devastation that was brought upon the majority of the Western Soviet Union during the Second World War failed to reach Armenia, The German war machine was unable to reach the South Caucasus which was a major part of their plan to capture the oil fields in Azerbaijan. That said, this does not mean the Armenians did not contribute to the Allied war effort, they contributed through industry and agriculture and over 500,000 Armenians made an active contribution to the war effort with 175,000 of these men died in the war.

Improvements
Stalin died in 1953 and when Nikita Khruschev became Soviet leader life for the Armenian people began to improve rapidly. Even the Armenian Church, which had suffered under Stalin’s rule, was revived under Khruschev’s sympathetic rule. In 1965, after mass demonstrations on the 50th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Khruschev commissioned a memorial to the victims of the Armenian Genocide to be built in Yerevan.

Glasnost
During the 1980’s, when the Gorbachev administration took over , the Soviet reforms of Glasnost and Perestroika began to impact on occupied territories and Armenians began demanding an end to the pollution caused by Soviet built factories and wanted better care to be taken on their environment. Furthermore, tensions grew between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. However, in 1988 disaster stuck when a devastating earthquake hit the Spitak region of Armenia with an enormous magnitude of 7.2.

Independence
When the Gorbachev administration was unable to solve many of Armenia’s growing social, economic and environmental difficulties it fed and increasing desire for independence. In mid-1990 the New Armenian Army was formed and served as a defence force which was separate from the existing Soviet forces in the country. Inevitably clashes soon broke out between the two forces, especially during the commemorations of the establishment of the first Armenian Republic in 1918; full independence was granted 1991.