Tygyn Darkhan Hotel

I stayed 2 nights at the Tygyn Darkhan at the beginning of a road trip down the Kolyma Highway to Magadan and it served my needs well with just a few mis-steps. Having flown overnight from Moscow on a fairly uncomfortable flight and then had to call up a local agent about a forgotten airport pick up it was lovely to be warmly greeted by the English speaking receptionist who immediately checked me in in spite of it being many hours before the official check in time. She even gave me a voucher and insisted that I head straight to the breakfast room where there was 30 minutes to go before the meal finished. What she neglected to tell me was that the early check in and breakfast came at a fairly substantial cost that was only apparent when I checked out and later discovered an unknown charge of US$42 on the final receipt. If she had asked I would probably have gladly paid that amount for coffee, a hot shower and somewhere to sit down but it would have been nice to have been asked. My room was very good with separate living room and bedroom. It had very high ceilings providing a spacious feel. The bedroom had single beds pushed together and made up as a very comfortable queen. The living room had a desk, sofa, 2 chairs, fridge and kettle with tea making stuff. There were flat screen TVs in both rooms and big windows providing lots of light. That may have been more welcome in the short daylight hours of winter rather than at the 3.30am sunrise of July but it beats a dark room hands down at any time of year. The bathroom was pretty standard with a shower over a tub and great water pressure but the hot water was a bit capricious alternating hot and tepid at a cycle all its own. The toweling robe was a nice and useful touch. There was excellent in room wifi with a stable and fast connection that was strong enough for video calls. My room and the hotel in general was very quiet through out the stay. Breakfast was pretty sub-par. Not many choices and only small amounts of those that were provided. There was only instant coffee. Overall, the Tygyn Darkhan is a good choice especially for English-speakers. Two receptionists spoke excellent English and were pro-actively helpful and the central location near the main square is good for most local amenities and attractions.