Asmald Palace Hotel

We paid $60 in the end after they offered a discount because of the poor service. At checkout, they first tried to charge $13.30 more than my reservation, calling it a registration service fee on top of the $82 I was supposed to pay. Our private guide said the tourist tax was already in the room price, so I refused the extra charge. The pool was open to the public, not just hotel guests. It was crowded with men, with every seat taken, and people were shouting, jumping in, and smoking. There wasn't a single woman there. Smoking isn't allowed inside the hotel, but kids at the pool are surrounded by it. I don't think this is a hotel to visit with children. The pool also didn't seem safe to me: my husband took our son in because he insisted, and he cut his toe, including the nail, on the bubbled stairs. It was treatable, but be aware. Our triple room, 206, was extremely disappointing for me, my husband, and our 9-year-old. I booked on the hotel's website, but staff couldn't find the reservation when we arrived. I had to go outside for an internet connection and show them the email; then three people looked for it on one computer. There's no lift, though staff did help with the luggage. There were problems throughout the room. One window wasn't sealed around the glass, so we could hear people shouting at the pool, which stayed open until 10 pm. The carpet was stained and dirty, one bed had a broken mattress that I only noticed when I went to sleep, and the air conditioner made a terrible noise that made sleeping difficult. The refillable bottles had almost no gel or shampoo, and the gel bottle was broken as well as empty. The towels smelled of tobacco. After I complained, clean towels and more shower gel took about 40 minutes to arrive. The toilet brush was broken, and the bathtub leaked. It's also a high-sided tub rather than a shower, something to keep in mind if traveling with older people. I did complain about the room, and they offered to move us, but we'd already unpacked, so I declined. Breakfast was at Amazonia restaurant, where plastic plants on the ceiling made the decor feel completely unhygienic. We didn't eat much.

The room was spacious and clean, with no complaints about it. Just know they may clean it even when the do not disturb sign is up. The breakfast buffet had lots of fresh choices, and the location made it easy to explore the city on foot. Staff were very accommodating. They arranged a private driver for a day trip to Margilan and the Q'um Tep Bozori (Sunday market), and the trip went smoothly at a fair price. They also helped me get taxis whenever I needed one. Have a translator app ready, since some staff don't speak English and I don't speak Russian or Uzbek. Our room was on the second floor facing the pool, so it could be noisy without earplugs. I use them, but the outdoor light also came through the drapes. I thought the price was a little high for a town this size.

The staff were really friendly, and I loved the peaceful pool area and garden dining spot. Rooms were clean and comfortable, the restaurant was lovely, and breakfast was excellent. Good location too. Loved it!

The breakfast was good, and the maintenance work happening in some rooms looked pretty decent. I'd recommend the place. The one downside was the DJ music by the pool. While I was there, it felt like being at Tomorroland.