Dushanbe Serena Hotel

The rooms and location at Serena were very good when I stayed three times in summer 2025, but the prices seemed heavily inflated. The main problem was laundry. I handed in clothes twice. The first time, I was told I didn’t need to provide a list, and I wasn’t charged when I checked out. On a later visit, nobody asked for a list either, but at checkout I got a bill for over 2000 somoni. The itemized list included things I didn’t own: I had only two pairs of pants on the trip, yet it charged me for ten. The per-item prices were also very high, so be careful if you order laundry. I emailed management about it and got stonewalled. When I returned to Dushanbe, manager Rustam said he’d look into the discrepancy and get back to me before I left the country. I said I was leaving on the weekend and would come by on Saturday to follow up; he nodded. But when I returned, I was told he had the day off and only interns were staffing the hotel. They said I’d be refunded when the managers came back Monday, but I never heard anything. I followed up by email and was told they’d investigate as soon as possible. Weeks passed with no response or compensation. The hotel charged me nearly $400 CAD for basic laundry, and the managers never addressed my concerns. Charging that much for a small load is shameful, and saying to my face they’d deal with the discrepancy, then not doing so, made it worse. I found the administration highly duplicitous. I wouldn’t trust them with another dispute, and would urge other guests to watch out for this sort of scam.

The location was excellent, and the food was the best part. The room was comfortable, but breakfast had limited variety: no fresh fruit or fresh juices. As a Pakistani, I also found it hard to get mix tea 😀

There were many interesting places nearby, and the location was good. The rooms were large and nice, and there was a decent gym. The pool was under construction or maintenance, or something, during my stay. Breakfast was tasty with a good range of choices, and dinner had plenty of variety and was good too. I’d come back next time I’m in town.

Rudaki Restaurant, inside the elegant Dushanbe Serena Hotel, was a calm place to dine in the heart of the city. The modern room had high ceilings and soft natural light, and felt airy and comfortable, far removed from the bustle outside. It was nearly empty when I ate alone, so dinner was unexpectedly quiet. Service stayed polished, polite, and attentive, with a good mix of professionalism and warmth. The menu seemed carefully put together but could be clearer. There were no photos, and I couldn’t find a beverage list. When I asked about juice or soda, I was told a machine problem meant they weren’t available. The team fixed it quickly and brought freshly squeezed orange juice, bright and refreshing. That little moment made me smile. I started with chicken soup, a dependable Tajikistan staple, and it was comforting, flavorful, and satisfying. For my main I chose lamb chops, served as three impressively large single-rib chops. There was quite a bit of gristle and fat, but the lean meat was tender and full of flavor. A grilled slice of tomato and a round of potato purée shaped like a little cake came alongside, a simple but pleasant pairing. Rudaki isn’t flawless or the finest restaurant in the city, but it stands above average in Dushanbe’s modest dining scene. With its atmosphere, service, and a few memorable moments, I’d happily return.