Uzbekistan - Central Asia - page 143

Raddus¨JSS¨ hoTeL $$
( % 120 77 48; [e-mail]; Suleymanov
39/41; s/d US$51/73; aWs ; m oybek) A much-
needed renovation brought this place up to
the standards of its midrange brethren in
the Mirobodsky District. The cover over the
courtyard out back is a questionable call, but
the rooms look brand new and some have
king-sized beds for couples.
Rovshan¨Hotel¨ hoTeL $$
( % 120 77 47; www.rovshanhotel.com; Katta Mi-
robod 118; s/d US$54/62; aW ; m oybek) Not
thrilling and rather characterless, but none-
theless a solid midrange option in the quiet
Mirobodsky District. The twin beds are
more comfy than in other hotels of this ilk,
and a lux with king-sized bed is just a small
step up in price.
Hotel¨Silver¨ hoTeL $$
( % [phone]; Niyobek Yuli 54; s/d
US$33/43; a ; m hamid olimjon) Called both
the Hotel Silver and the Hotel Silver Dew,
this 12-room place is rather obscurely lo-
cated (off Karay Niyazov kochasi), but not
too far from the metro and a decent deal
in a pleasantly residential neighbourhood.
There's hot water in the otherwise fairly
poor bathrooms, and rooms are clean, each
with a TV.
Hotel¨Akbar¨Shox¨ hoTeL $$
( % 246 06 02; Sagban 5; per person US$35; W ;
m Chorsu) Rather inconveniently located,
this is still a decent enough fall-back option,
with slightly musty but spacious rooms and
admittedly fairly cramped bathrooms. It's
750m north of the Chorsu metro station.
o Hotel¨Nur¨ BoUTiQUe hoTeL $$$
( % 140 08 21, 140 08 20; Rakatboshi 3A; r from
US$80; aWs ; m Kosmonovtlar) This fantastic
new place is just what Tashkent needs - a
well-located, upmarket but affordable hotel
that has style, security and good service. It
has a big pool and garden (perfect for break-
fast in the sun), spacious and well-decorated
rooms and staff who fall over themselves to
be helpful.
o Hotel¨Bek¨ BoUTiQUe hoTeL $$$
( % 215 58 88; www.bek-hotel.uz; Yusuf Khos Khodjib
64A; s/d from US$90/100; aWs ; m Kos-
monovtlar) With friendly and professional
English-speaking staff, spotless rooms, styl-
ish touches and a small but very welcome
courtyard pool, this hotel is a great choice
for business travellers or those looking

for some comfort. King-size beds, reliable
wi-fi and a relaxed and friendly atmos-
phere are this place's hallmarks, and about
the only complaint is that you're a good
15-minute walk from the nearest metro
station.
Tashkent¨Palace¨ hoTeL $$$
( % 120 58 00; [e-mail];
Buyuk Turon 56; s/d from US$160/180; paWs ;
m Kosmonovtlar) This grand Soviet-era place
has a superbly central location, though its
age was beginning to show when we last
visited. A floor-by-floor renovation was
scheduled for 2014, so things may soon
change. Rooms are a good size, many with
balconies and fridges. Use of the pool, sauna
and gym is free for guests, while in-room in-
ternet costs US$15 per day, though it's free
in the lobby.
Hotel¨City¨Palace¨ hoTeL $$$
( % 238 30 00; [e-mail];
Amir Timur 15; s/d from US$160/180; pai-
Ws ; m Abdulla Qodiriy) Despite a fairly taste-
less and characterless lobby, the upper
floors of this hotel are well decorated and
rooms have good furnishings, including in-
viting king-sized beds with fine linens, writ-
ing desks and some impressive city views.
Hotel¨Uzbekistan¨ hoTeL $$$
( % 113 10 12, 113 11 11; www.hoteluzbekistan.uz;
Tarakkiyot 45; s/d from US$100/130; pai-
Ws ; m Amir Timur hiyoboni) This old dino-
saur towering over central Amir Timur
maydoni has reinvented itself as Tashkent's
best-value top-end hotel. Where there were
once scowling babushkas there are now
more helpful receptionists, although don't
expect to feel totally welcome. Rooms are
now rather sleek and modern with flat-
screen TVs, cushy white comforters and
shiny bathrooms.
The¨Park¨Turon¨ hoTeL $$$
( % 140 60 00; www.theparkturon.com; Abdulla
Kodiri 1; s/d US$140/150; paWs ; m Alisher
Navoi) Once the Leningrad Hotel, the totally
refurbished Park Turon now has Indian-
Uzbek management, as its incense-infused
lobby, Indian restaurant and popularity
with Indian businesspeople demonstrates.
However, while the renovation has been
very thorough, the rooms' low ceilings and
rather cramped layout remains unchanged.
Flat-screen TVs, the fluffiest towels in
Tashkent, a gym and a sauna sweeten the
deal somewhat.