Hotels

Another hotel from a chain of Asia hotels in Uzbekistan is Asia Samarqand that has opened its doors for the first visitors in March 2008. Located in a side street the hotel is centrally located and ideal for a stroll to numerous historic sights  with just 2-3 minutes’ walk to magnificent Registan square. This hotel sits in a quiet narrow street at the dead-end with no noisy traffic around, though access to the hotel by large buses is restricted as a result. Hotel’s staff is very friendly and helpful. This clean and modern hotel could cater also for large tour groups. There is no lift so the hotel my not be suitable for anyone with ascent difficulties.

The hotel itself appears old and needs work. Bathrooms are cramp, bathtubs are mid thigh deep and difficult for someone with limited mobility to get in. 69 European style rooms are equipped by all necessary equipment: bathroom, phone, satellite TV, hair dryer, desk, mini bar, conditioner, and opening windows. There are also non-smoking rooms. The rooms are clean but rather small in size. Try to avoid rooms on the ground floor that might be quite noisy from outside street activity. Besides walls are thin and not sound-proof, so you risk are being waken up early in the morning by the cleaners outside or high TV volume in reception area. Lot of complaints from customers that the beds are unbearingly firm and feel more like a concrete.

The breakfast is pretty uninteresting with only a small choice of uninteresting food on offer. There is not too much close by in terms of eating out other than one or two places by the Registan, which is the major tourist attraction, but not worth staying in this hotel for that purpose. You can eat in a 'traditional Uzbek house' and the 'Old Town' restaurant in addition to some tourist places.

Staff at the front desk are helpful. In general, an adequate choice for a short stay. Everything looks a little bit tired, and maybe need a refreshment in style as well but in far Samarkand can be ok.