The Pamir Highway
It seems patronising to be surprised by this luxurious hotel in the middle of Kalai-Khum but given the difficulty of building anything in the region, with…
Must-see hotels in Central Asia
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…
Bishkek
Hidden between rail tracks and apartment blocks, this delightful 19-room getaway is striking for its gardens and birdsong. Sun-drenched communal spaces…
Dushanbe
This 70-year old Australian-owned mansion with Moroccan-style swimming pool offers six characterful rooms with tasteful decor and antique furnishings. The…
Osh
Biy Ordo is worth the 10-minute marshrutka ride (122 from Kelechek Bazaar) for the great-value dorms and perfect hostel vibe. Dorms have lockers, and all…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Tajikistan
This beautiful homestay unusually sports beds in traditionally decorated rooms. The location offers the ultimate retreat, with mountain views beyond the…
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,…
Samarkand
This charming place in an old town neighbourhood unaltered by Samarkand's relentless modernisation has two courtyards sprinkled with vines and flowers and…
The Pamir Highway
Offering a choice of beds and floor spaces in a number of family rooms arranged around the courtyard, this delightful homestay is hidden in a small lane…
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…
Almaty
The rooms at Almaty's most luxurious hotel are suitably sumptuous but surprisingly understated and decked out in neutral shades. The Olympic-sized…
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…
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…
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…
The Pamir Highway
On the slope northeast of Agroinvest Bank, this beautiful homestay has sweeping views across town and even Mustagh Ata can be spotted on a fine day. The…
The Pamir Highway
Central and cosy, and tasteful in design, this hotel is wrapped around a garden with an apricot tree shading a sitting pavilion. There are a choice of…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Tajikistan
At the entrance to Sarytag village, this purpose-built little guesthouse is arguably Sarytag's most attractive option, with cosy rooms bedecked in…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Issyk-Köl Oblast
Just 200m from the shore of Issyk-Köl, simple yurts with electricity and an on-site restaurant/bar make an excellent place to relax for a few days. Look…
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…
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…
Karakol
On a quiet, unpaved backstreet, Teskey's great plus is its knowledgeable, ever-obliging, English-speaking host Talaai. The brand-new guesthouse has super…
