Emerald Hotel

The location made it easy to explore Bukhara’s old city. The hotel sits in a quiet corner, close to Lyabi Hauz and the madrasas, and its Bukharian façade fits right into the historic streets. Inside, the shared lounge textiles and courtyard stonework looked carefully restored. What stayed with me most was the way old and new came together. This boutique hotel is a restored Bukharian merchant’s home, with hand-carved wooden ceilings and colorful local textiles alongside plush bedding, a spotless private bathroom, fluffy towels, fast Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, and an electric kettle. I could sit with tea and feel like a merchant from long ago, while everything around me still felt fresh and newly finished. The whole place had the feel of polished wood and clean linens. The staff were attentive and warm, spoke English fluently, and treated me like an old friend. They helped with the 24-hour concierge service and gave me tips for seeing Bukhara. Their hospitality felt rooted in Uzbek tradition, with the smoothness of a modern hotel. I enjoyed breakfast in the peaceful courtyard. The buffet had fresh fruit, warm pastries, and aromatic coffee, with flavors grounded in Uzbek cooking. At the on-site Devon Begi restaurant, I had Uzbek and European dishes under the stars. They tasted traditional but also fresh and inventive. The Emerald is rated 9.9 on Booking.com, and I can see why. It felt like living in a Bukharian fairy tale, where history is alive but the comforts feel brand new. My stay was unforgettable, and I’m already looking forward to returning.

The reception team were always ready to help, calling cabs for us or arranging lunch boxes. The breakfast was generous and tasty, and our rooms were spacious and clean. It’s a very nice new hotel whose design takes inspiration from Bukhara’s historic monuments. I’d highly recommend staying here.

The rooms were comfortable and very clean, and the service team were wonderful. The owner is keen to keep learning and improving. This newly built hotel was refurbished from a house that’s 100 years old, and it’s only about a five-minute walk to the start of the old city. Highly recommended.

I cancelled the reservation and moved to another hotel. The receptionist was rude, refused early check-in, and told us to wait 30-40 minutes even though we arrived around 12:30. Booking.com had advertised early check-in and a one-way airport transfer as part of the offer. Getting there was a hassle too. The hotel is tucked away from the main street where cars and cabs can’t go, so we had to walk about 10 minutes with all our luggage. When we arrived, the receptionist saw us but didn’t offer to help carry anything. At reception he acted as if letting us stay was a favor. Pathetic experience. They have a lot to learn about hospitality.