Must see hotels in Afghanistan

This is a hotel in 1930s style, all high ceilings, grand dining rooms and monolithic pillars. It’s a little dusty, giving the impression that it doesn’t…

In the style of a Kabul guesthouse, the Royal Oak is aimed squarely at the international contractor market. High security walls contain a cosy house with…

Just around the corner from the Amo, the decor here seems even more peeling. The shared bathrooms (squat toilet only) leave something to be desired, but…

This large state-run hotel is set in large gardens in the centre of town. Everyone has stayed here at one point, from Soviet officers to the Taliban’s…

This friendly and ever-expanding hotel is a great option. The rooms aren’t elaborate, but there’s 24-hour hot water, free internet, and helpful staff. The…

More a chaikhana than a proper hotel, this is a real shoestring option – everyone squeezes into a small room on the ground floor, or retires upstairs to…

This basic hotel is the best cheap option in Kunduz. All rooms have attached bathrooms, which are kept reasonably clean, although many of the fixtures are…

Staff instruct you to leave your shoes at the front door; inside it’s all overstuffed furniture, bright carpets and fake sunflowers, trying their best to…

Bamiyan’s best budget option by some degree. The old upstairs dorm has been turned into a restaurant, while the addition of the rooftop shower with piping…

One of the first of the post-Taliban guesthouses, B’s Place has six rooms with shared bathrooms, decorated in traditional Afghan style. There’s a pleasant…

Currently Herat’s largest hotel, the Mowafaq is a trusty standby and conveniently located between the Old City and the New Town. The good-sized rooms are…

A deservedly popular hotel with consultants and long-term stays, the Park Palace has good quality en suite rooms with service to match. The buffet…

This is an unpretentious place also aimed at expats. Rooms are large, and have attached bathrooms with plenty of hot water. The management is extremely…

Close to the action around Shahr-e Nau Park, this modern hotel has en suite rooms that are simply but decently decorated. There’s one price for one or two…

Formerly named the Karwansara Guesthouse, this place is a lovely old merchant’s house set in a large and leafy garden. Some of the rooms are a little…

This guesthouse is very popular with journalists, as there is a computer with internet access in every room, and laundry and breakfast are included. It’s…

Behind high walls on the main road, this Tajik-run place is bright, modern and clean. Rooms have satellite TV and bathrooms, all kept spotless. Even the…

Tangerine walls on the main street through Wazir Akbar Khan make the Euro hard to miss. There are a selection of different rooms (up to US$100), but the…

This is a well-located cheapie, directly opposite the south entrance to the shrine: many of the rooms have great views across the domes. The rooms need a…

A small family-run guesthouse with a friendly atmosphere, the Green Place (there is a garden) is a pleasant escape from the city. There are half a dozen…