Must-see hotels in Afghanistan

  • Park Hotel

    Kabul

    This hotel sits above an arcade of electronics shops. One step up from a chaikhana, it has simple cell-like rooms with grubby walls, and a large communal…

  • Hotel Ishan Awliyan

    Afghanistan

    One step up from a chaikhana, this 1st-floor hotel has a handful of private rooms with two beds and a beaten-up sofa apiece – a little dingy but perfectly…

  • Shahr-e Nau Guesthouse

    Kabul

    Easily spotted by its pink external walls, the Shahr-e Nau Guesthouse is a decent place. Rooms come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with up to three…

  • Andkhoi Hotel

    Afghanistan

    The only hotel in town is the Andkhoi Hotel, a big pink-and-blue building on the northeast corner of the square. Rooms are basic but big, with simple…

  • Bamika Hotel

    Afghanistan

    This pleasant hotel suffers from poor signing – it’s some way into Sir Asyab village, 200m past the ICRC compound. Once there, it’s both spacious and…

  • Spinzar Hotel

    Kabul

    Popular with Afghan businessmen, this tall greenish building has commanding views over the river. Rooms and shared bathrooms alike are drab but clean. The…

  • Salsal Guest House

    Kabul

    This is a great new addition to the budget hotel scene, and the pick of the ultra-cheapies. Carpeted rooms are small but on the cosy side, with a fan and…

  • Assa 1

    Kabul

    Another long-standing favourite, this medium-sized guesthouse has a selection of well-turned out rooms, favoured by long-term guests. Worth a look, there…

  • Star Inn

    Kabul

    This tidy little hotel has a good central location. Rooms have attached bathrooms and TV, although some are a bit on the poky side. Communal areas are…

  • Park Residence

    Kabul

    Look twice for the entrance to this place facing the park – security is tight but unobtrusive. Modern rooms have en suites and are positively cosy, with a…

  • Marco Polo Inn

    Kabul

    This new guesthouse run by an Afghan-German is a great deal. Rooms, with attached bathroom, are very nicely furnished with lots of dark wood giving the…

  • Shibirghan Hotel

    Afghanistan

    If you need to stay the night, the Shibirghan Hotel is the best option. It’s on the northern edge of the main square – look for the phone towers and…

  • Mama Najaf

    Afghanistan

    Two communal rooms sit above a chaikhana, up some extremely rickety wooden stairs. There’s a simple bathroom and toilet, but for hot water you’ll need to…

  • Kunduz Hotel

    Afghanistan

    If you’re after a solid Afghan business-class hotel, this is it. Set in large grounds, the rooms are equally spacious, all with a fridge and a bathroom…

  • Yasin International Guesthouse

    Afghanistan

    This guesthouse is attached to the Yasin BBQ Restaurant and has six rooms with bathrooms. They have plans for expansion in the near future. Like the…

  • Kabul Lodge

    Kabul

    A well-established guesthouse, the Kabul Lodge is impeccably run with helpful and efficient management. Rooms are large (with en suite) and there’s a…

  • Chist Hotel

    Afghanistan

    The Chist Hotel, a kilometre out of Chist-e Sharif, is a large white modern building built in the aftermath of the Taliban’s ouster, but has yet to open…

  • Star Club

    Afghanistan

    Reportedly offering similar accommodation to the Marco Polo Hotel, the Star Club was temporarily closed at the time of research. It’s right on the river,…

  • Le Monde Guest House

    Kabul

    This is a traditional Kabul home turned into a cosy, well-run guesthouse. Generous rooms are well set up, and there’s a lovely garden. Given that the…

  • Marco Polo Hotel

    Afghanistan

    Also known as Number One Guesthouse, this is a basic hotel with hard beds. The shared bathrooms are pretty basic, with squat toilets, but there’s a…

  • Eqbal Hotel

    Afghanistan

    Chist-e Sharif has a busy bazaar and several chaikhanas for eating and sleeping. The Eqbal Hotel is the pick of the bunch, with decent food, ice-cold…

  • Nawa Guesthouse

    Afghanistan

    A basic guesthouse with six tidy rooms and a helpful manager. It’s centrally located, near the main moneychangers’ area. Food is available, as is hot…

  • Naween Guesthouse

    Kabul

    Another well-run guesthouse popular with contractors and UN workers, the Naween offers a high level of comfort and security. All rooms are en suite.