Muxlisabegim Hotel

We appreciated that the owner's grandson really tried to help, and the staff kindly let us put our things in their fridge on checkout day. Still, for the price, we've had better stays elsewhere in Uzbekistan. Getting here by taxi takes some planning: it can't reach the hotel, so there's a 3-5 minute walk from the drop-off point, which could be awkward with heavy bags. The patio is lovely, though, and made a nice first impression. There wasn't a daily water refill, unlike at other places we stayed in Uzbekistan. Guests are asked not to flush paper, which is common, but during our three nights nobody cleaned the room, and the bin filled up. Cleanliness was also disappointing: we found two insects in the room, hair in the bathroom, and visible mold in the fridge, so we couldn't use it. Breakfast came individually, but my requested vegetarian option still included processed meat instead of cheese. The eggs were fried in the same oil as the sausage, which wasn't great for a vegetarian or someone sensitive to meat flavors. Service was slow too. We waited 25 minutes on the first morning and 40 on the second, so allow time if you have plans.

We came for one night and ended up staying three. This little family-run hotel is right in the heart of the old city, and they treated us like part of the family. The room was lovely, with a Buchara-style decorative touch. Breakfast is worth having, with eggs cooked fresh, plus a variety of salammi, fruit, and pastries. A mini fridge in the room would be a nice addition.

The solid AC, attractive decor, and approachable, helpful family running the place earned it two stars from me. I understand Bukhara is Uzbekistan's most touristic city and that people can be very pragmatic and transactional, but I want to offer honest feedback in the hope things improve. Our laundry, including the women's underwear, was hung to dry in a central, very visible part of the hotel where other guests could see it. My travel partner and I were outraged. Please don't put guests' laundry on display like that. Also, asking guests to pay for services such as laundry or transport before they're provided gives the wrong impression. And $5 for one load is already a good laundry price. Charging another $5 to wash one extra hoodie felt excessive.

It's a two-star hotel, so you get what you pay for. I like supporting local family-run places, and the warm family hospitality, friendly staff, and generous, tasty breakfast were all good. It's at the edge of the old town. The room lock could use some work, and the bathroom could use a toilet Shattaf (handheld water gun). I recommend arranging pickup from the train station with their driver. He was a real gentleman and treated my elderly parents kindly when he met us.