El Emir Samarkand

We were relieved to check out. The room was very small and unlike the photos, the bathroom was extremely cramped, and the toilet flush was clogged, though we somehow managed. There was no complimentary water. At check-in, we were told there was no hot water, which was very inconvenient in that weather. Earlier reviews mention the same unresolved issue. The location is decent, but you have to access it through a narrow alley. I wouldn’t recommend staying here.

The setting is peaceful, without being in a crowded area, and the atmosphere is cozy and welcoming. Hotel Emir is convenient for getting around: the Al-Maturidi Mausoleum is about a minute away, while Registan Square and the city center take around five minutes. Breakfast was delicious, too. A lovely, comfortable place to stay while enjoying the city.

The room we were given wasn’t the family room we booked. Our reservation showed a large room with three beds. The attendant first offered two small beds, then took us to a room with one big bed. I showed him the booking photo, but he said that room wasn’t available, even though I had reserved it on booking dot com. I understood that mistakes happen and asked for a discount for the inconvenience. He offered only 15%, and I accepted because canceling was no longer an option after the cutoff time. We were stuck paying almost full price for a room we hadn’t booked. There were other room problems, but the booking mismatch was the main issue. I left a review explaining what happened, without being rude. The hotel then contacted me to say they were upset about the bad review. They claimed I hadn’t shown up and asked booking.com to collect a second payment, even though I had paid cash. I sent booking.com proof that I stayed, our WhatsApp conversations, and a recording of the disgruntled employee talking about my review. Claiming I hadn’t stayed and trying to collect payment twice was really bothersome. Don’t stay here. We were basically ignored when we tried to check in, even though the attendant was sitting at the desk and we were standing in front of him. We had to say hello to get his attention. The pool was very scummy, the shower was cold, and the air conditioner leaked condensation onto the floor. We needed a bucket to catch the steady dripping, and it nearly filled. I included photos of the bucket, the room we stayed in, and the room we booked, along with the booking description and the false claim that we hadn’t stayed. The room photos clearly show otherwise.

It’s good value, and the place is near Registan in a quiet area away from the tourist crowds. Breakfast costs extra and is served by the hotel, not as a buffet. Unfortunately, some guests nearby were noisy in the evening.