shahrisabz - no accomodation

Hi, there are major renovations happening in shahrisabz at the moment. The town is a construction zone. I would still highly recommend going though so you can see it before they make some major changes so that it will be "better than Samarkand" as one local put it. However we could not find any accommodation. Lonely planet's guidebook's two listings seem to be demolished. They may have relocated but a worker at the shahrihabz hotel said there are no other hotels and that their own hotel is awaiting registration. So, as foreigners there was no accommodation available at this stage.

The trip there is beautiful as it has great mountain scenery.

I was in Shahrisabz appr. 3 weeks ago. And stayed at Shahrisabz Hotel. I had no problem to get a room there as foreigner. Double room was 65$ incl breakfast. The same night a German tour group stayed at the hotel. So, your experience is a little surprising for me. When did you go there?
The town indeed looks like a major reconstruction is happening. Everything between Ak-Saray and Dor as-Siadat Complex that was not historical had been demolished. Instead some neat walkways were being built. Imo very sad development. What made Shahrisabz interesting, that there still was life between the historical buildings, was destroyed to create another proper photo background.
Cafe Aquarium is now east of the Amur Timur statue but not very busy anymore. For evenings there is a decent chaihana opposite to Shahrisabz Hotel.

We went 4 days ago. I don't know why they were not able to accept foreigners but I recommend to call ahead as they were waiting on registration so at some stage it will be fine.

What a shame! By far the most interesting thing about Shahrisabz was that it hadn't been restored at all.