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…
Must-see hotels in Central Asia
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…
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…
Turkestan
One of the two best sleeping options, the Edem has pleasant rooms with wood-and-wrought-iron beds and cane furnishings. Thoughtful touches like lamps…
Shymkent
With its individually decorated rooms and friendly, incredibly helpful, English-speaking host Albina, this hostel gets rave reviews from backpackers. The…
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…
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…
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…
Fergana Valley
This modern hotel has no link to India – the owners told us they simply liked the name – but it's nevertheless the best choice in town, with a very…
Kazakhstan
The favourite of Western business-folk, the metallic, contemporary Renaissance provides very comfy, brightly decorated, well-equipped rooms, plus a great…
Tajikistan
Surrounded by fields overlooked by two large daybeds, this friendly homestay is a relaxed place to break the journey for lunch (30TJS) or overnight, and…
Kyrgyzstan
Situated on a hilltop overlooking a magnificent mountain panorama, two yurts run by a friendly local family make the perfect base for day hikes to…
Tajikistan
The owner of this lovely homestay in Shing is Mr Khodjamov Sarvar, the village chemist, bee-keeper and herbalist. His engineer son speaks some English and…
The Pamir Highway
This homestay, run by experienced and super-hospitable hosts, gives an opportunity to explore the Bartang Valley and remote village life in the Western…
Tashkent
This sociable hostel sets the bar high for Tashkent's budget accommodation. The pine fresh rooms and shared bathrooms are spotlessly clean and the clued…
Issyk-Köl Oblast
Nestled in the narrow mouth of the Ak-Suu Valley and covered in wild flowers in spring, this five-yurt-camp may be one of the best-positioned in the…
The Pamir Highway
This three-storey villa offers standards well above most typical homestays, but without doubt, its biggest draw is the gorgeous garden, which is clearly…
Bukhara
This sprawling converted house on the southern edge of the old town is the best shoestring option and particularly popular with overlanders (there's…
Khiva
This unique hotel offers the rare opportunity of staying inside the 19th-century Mohammed Amin Khan Medressa. Accommodation in the 78 converted hujra …
Kyrgyzstan
Run by the same folks as the Supara restaurant complex in Bishkek, this location has all the same splendid national food and cultural offerings plus…
The Pamir Highway
Khorog's most luxurious hotel has just six bedrooms with Western-style bathrooms, mini-fridge and fine linens, arranged around a comfortable lounge-lobby…
Bukhara
Housed inside the converted 1861 Said Kamol Medressa, this charming eight-room place has all the comforts you need without sacrificing an inch of its…
Tashkent
An impressive place built in a faux medressa style with 60 rooms in five villas, nice outdoor seating and clever touches like a poolside clicker to call…
Samarkand
The eight fresh and bright rooms here have clean tiled bathrooms and good mattresses, plus there's a small but pleasant courtyard and helpful staff, all…
Bukhara
There's an intimate feel at this B&B. There are just eight comfortable and modern rooms (with good mattresses) set around a small intimate split-level…
Tajikistan
English-speaking Zafar and his lovely family run the first hostel in the region, and between the warm welcome and comfortable facilities, it's quite…
Khiva
This mud- and brick-walled B&B is located right in the heart of the Ichon-Qala (the entrance is around the back). There are just three renovated rooms,…
Bukhara
Housed in the courtyard of an old mansion in the Jewish Quarter, this is a charming, well-managed and good-value place. The rooms are spacious and modern…
Osh
This newer branch of the popular Biy Ordo Guesthouse has all the same creature comforts with a more convenient city-centre location. Rooms are a touch on…
Samarkand
The 23 modern rooms at this French-Uzbek joint venture vary in size but all feel quite lush, with quality bedding and fluffy pillows. Breakfast on the…
Tashkent
One of Tashkent's five-star options is a huge fortress of a place, taking up an entire city block. It's easily the best hotel in town, featuring a top…
Osh
For a little bit of luxury after a long hike or horse trek, this marble-studded hotel north of town is easily the best choice in Osh. Though it's a bit…
Samarkand
The Registon looks good, if a little uninspiring, with 70 spacious rooms that have fridges and decent bathrooms, although some have an odd layout. Wi-fi…
Lotte City Hotel Tashkent Palace
Tashkent
This grand Soviet-era place (built in 1958 as Tashkent's first hotel) is now Korean run but still enjoys the same superbly central location. The fully…
Bukhara
Behind a beautifully carved wooden front door is a maze connecting several small buildings with new rooms elaborately done up in traditional decor. All…
Karakol
Wood-panelled hallways and bright modern rooms make this family property hidden in the southern residential area of Karakol a hit, especially the large…
Khiva
This hostel run by the Guest House Lali-Opa is 2km north of the Ichon-Qala in the owners' spacious home. The four quiet dorms here are much more…
Samarkand
The four simple but pleasant original rooms here surround an awning-covered courtyard. It's good value and well located on the edge of the old town. A new…
Jafr Agro-Eco Centre Guesthouse
Tajikistan
Botanist, poet and collector Mirzosho Akobirov has spent decades planting seeds and saplings in his experimental orchards and his green-fingered…
Tajikistan
Built by a British national and run by hospitable Mr Dilovar, the eight rooms in this grand two-storey villa have beds and boast spectacular views in all…
