Mövenpick Samarkand

“Very good with two downsides . . .”

The Movenpick might be the best international-style hotel that fabled Samarkand has to offer. It certainly looks grand and luxurious from the road. And the atrium lobby is spectacular, a large airy space, filled with sunlight, with reception desks, curvaceous sitting areas, a bar and a restaurant.… more

The Movenpick might be the best international-style hotel that fabled Samarkand has to offer. It certainly looks grand and luxurious from the road. And the atrium lobby is spectacular, a large airy space, filled with sunlight, with reception desks, curvaceous sitting areas, a bar and a restaurant. It’s all very nice, especially after a sweaty slog around the ancient mosques and madrassas. The lobby restaurant, where we ate several lunches and dinners, is surprisingly good, offering a western European-style menu that offers welcome relief from the heavy, peasanty meat dishes that seem to be Uzbekistan’s sole cuisine. The cooking was far better than I expected from this budget-to-mid-range hotel chain, service was excellent, there are a few pleasant locally produced wines. It all comes at an absurdly low price. The rooms are modern and well-equipped, with extensive charging points, good lighting that you don’t need an electronics degree to understand, good views from all aspects. Unfortunately, many of the rooms are far too small so you have to squeeze your way between the bed and the desk unit. The bathrooms are quite laughably tiny: you open the door and nearly slice yourself in two on the shower screen and then you have to sort of pivot yourself around the open door in order to close it. Everything worked, though. It’s just so awkwardly designed. There was one other thing we didn’t like: the breakfast room, a cavernous space fiiled with huge round tables for all the tour groups which keep this business ticking over. Over the weekend, these tables were not being cleared so the whole room was a sort of rubbish tip. Monday was far better. The buffet was always sub-par, budget hotel territory, with the two coffee machines frequently breaking down. We wished they offered an a la carte breakfast in the restaurant. Despite the smallness of our room and the horror of the breakfast room, we rather liked the Movenpick.

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“Great Location and Nice Evening Bar”

The hotel has a great location and many attractions are within easy walking distance. The bar is a great place to relax in the evening and enjoy a drink. The rooms are good and comfortable. I would probably skip the breakfast next time, but overall it’s a good place to stay.

“Excellent location but very small rooms”

Rather fresh hotel with awesome location and friendly staff but rooms are not spacious at all. ROOMS: clean but extremely small, there is no space for even regular movements. Everything is very close to each other, bathroom is only for one person but even this space is not enough for using it. Ther… more

Rather fresh hotel with awesome location and friendly staff but rooms are not spacious at all. ROOMS: clean but extremely small, there is no space for even regular movements. Everything is very close to each other, bathroom is only for one person but even this space is not enough for using it. There is a comfortable bed with pillows, deck with chair, TV, closet. Safe box, teapot (tea and coffee bags are provided), complimentary water, scales, iron and bathrobes with slippers are available in the room. Bathroom has a bath, all necessities are provided. Soundproof isn’t good - you can hear some noice from the corridor. LOCATION: perfect! 10-15min walking distance both to Registan square and Gur-Emir Mausoleum. 15min drive from the airport and 10min drive to the railway station. There is “Boulevard” restaurant in a 3min walking distance with very tasty food, other small stores, “Mandarin” supermarket and cafes around the hotel. FOOD: breakfast 7-11am (250M UZS/person), there are a restaurant and the bar on site. Restaurant serves continental and local dishes, second ones are tastier than continental ones. FACILITIES: fast wi-fi, SPA with a pool, gym STAFF: polite, friendly and helpful.

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