Dushanbe
Not the newest but arguably Dushanbe's top address weaves traditional colours, fabrics and woodwork into a bright 21st-century tower topped by a rooftop…
Must-see hotels in Central Asia
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Bishkek
Hidden between rail tracks and apartment blocks, this delightful 19-room getaway is striking for its gardens and birdsong. Sun-drenched communal spaces…
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Dushanbe
This 70-year old Australian-owned mansion with Moroccan-style swimming pool offers six characterful rooms with tasteful decor and antique furnishings. The…
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Tashkent
Gulnara's has long been Tashkent's budget favourite, though it's lost ground to the new hostels in recent years. There's a friendly-family atmosphere in…
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Tashkent
This well-run hostel south of the railway tracks has a good mix of dorm and private rooms, all of which share the clean bathroom blocks. The friendly…
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Kazakhstan
This NGO runs one of Kazakhstan’s longest-running community tourism programs, with comfortable homestays in houses with hot showers and good local meals…
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Samarkand
A gorgeous garden courtyard shaded by pomegranate, persimmon and mulberry trees make this family home a joy to stay at. The new rooms around the garden…
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Nukus
Exactly what a struggling backwater like Nukus needs – a well-run hotel with enthusiastic and responsive English-speaking staff to help you make onward…
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Tajikistan
With a fantastic view, warm hospitality, great food and classic Pamiri interiors, this homestay is one of the best in the Wakhan Valley. It's most…
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Khiva
This 20-room place (and 13-room annexe) is perhaps the best budget option in the Ichon-Qala. The migraine-inducing wallpaper in the rooms may not scream…
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Bukhara
Traditional Bukharan style is faithfully on display at this superb courtyard hotel, although the decor is toned down by flashes of modern art and subtler…
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Tajikistan
This charming homestay is tucked down a leafy lane behind the bazaar. With a kitchen, dining room, billiard room and sitting area shared by three pleasant…
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Tajikistan
This beautiful homestay unusually sports beds in traditionally decorated rooms. The location offers the ultimate retreat, with mountain views beyond the…
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Bukhara
It's the proactive and passionate management here that really propels this boutique hotel to the top of its class. Housed in a Jewish merchant's house,…
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Samarkand
This charming place in an old town neighbourhood unaltered by Samarkand's relentless modernisation has two courtyards sprinkled with vines and flowers and…
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Bukhara
Few Bukhara B&Bs are more memorable than this one, set in a 19th-century house dripping with both character and history. It was once home to the father of…
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Almaty
The rooms at Almaty's most luxurious hotel are suitably sumptuous but surprisingly understated and decked out in neutral shades. The Olympic-sized…
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Khiva
Staying at this gorgeous, professionally run place is an absolute treat: four of the seven rooms have charming balconies and all have modern bathrooms…
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Shymkent
This showstopper five-star hotel is Shymkent's answer to the Ritz. Expect plenty of marble, a stunning atrium with soaring golden eagles and Golden Man…
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Bukhara
This friendly 27-room hotel has stunning ghanch work and a young, laid-back owner who speaks fluent English. The rooms are gorgeous, and the 19th-century…
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Samarkand
This well-run place in the Russian part of town has some boutique touches, featuring exposed brickwork and colourful ikat silks, and the rooms have good…
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Samarkand
This well-run place is popular for its fresh pine-clad rooms, central location and the stunning views of the next-door Bibi-Khanym Mosque from the…
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Bukhara
This wonderful place consists of two old Jewish Quarter houses set around twin courtyards and run by the friendly and knowledgeable Mila. One has…
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Samarkand
Probably the best top-end option in town, with a boutique feel to the spacious, exposed brick rooms. The hotel consists of two buildings on either side of…
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Tajikistan
At the entrance to Sarytag village, this purpose-built little guesthouse is arguably Sarytag's most attractive option, with cosy rooms bedecked in…
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Bukhara
No place in town better combines authentic old-Bukhara design with modern amenities. Breakfast is served in the dignified aivan with carved wooden columns…
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Tajikistan
This attractive hotel, ideally located opposite the citadel, is Khojand's best luxury choice. Rooms are large and more businesslike than boutique, but the…
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Samarkand
The 12 rooms here are clean and cosy and have heated floors in their bathrooms, which is great in winter. There's a large and very pleasant communal area…
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Tashkent
This recommended place is just what Tashkent needs – a well-located, upmarket but affordable hotel that has style, security and good service. It has a big…
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Fergana Valley
The family of ikat weaver Abdullah Mirzoakhmedov run this 13 room guesthouse just south of the centre. The spacious sitting areas are decorated with…
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Bishkek
Run by the American couple behind Iron Horse Nomads, this comfy B&B's Central Asian styling and on-site sauna are an oasis from the hectic centre of…
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Bishkek
From the rustic log-cabin style common space to the airy rooms, this boutique hotel gives off a vibe somewhere between 'modern nomad' and 'Scandinavian…
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Shymkent
This little gem 2km west of the centre has just a handful of rooms, all individually and pleasingly designed with features like half-timbering and exposed…
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Kazakhstan
Used by Outfitter KZ but welcoming any guests, this friendly Kazakh lady and her hospitable family put up visitors in comfortable rooms and feeds them…
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Tashkent
With friendly and professional English-speaking staff, spotless rooms, stylish touches and a small but very welcome plunge pool, this hotel is a great…
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Nur-Sultan (Astana)
The pick of Nur-Sultan's hostels comes with a wonderful roof terrace, featuring panoramic views of the city. The two dorms are gender-segregated, there's…
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Shymkent
With its individually decorated rooms and friendly, incredibly helpful, English-speaking host Albina, this hostel gets rave reviews from backpackers. The…
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Almaty
This three-storey house on the outskirts of the city hides one of the country's best hostels. The warm welcome from the owner makes guests feel like…
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Almaty
Vying for the title of 'Almaty's Top Hostel', this friendly place has earned a steady stream of guests for its pop-arty decor, helpful English-speaking…
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Almaty
The cheaper rooms in this efficient, sparkling-clean hotel on a quiet lane off Zhibek Zholy are the best value at this price level. Desk staff speak…
