Malika Prime

Rosalie E5 years ago

On planning a recent trip along The Silk Road, we found most larger hotels in Samarqand already booked, so we settled on a rented apartment - which was absolutely awful. Imagine our delight when we stumbled upon the charming boutique Hotel Malika Prime, which was not only able to accommodate us almost immediately, but also arranged for a car and driver to help with our relocation. Our spacious and quiet room had the bonus of being located over the front door, so had a tiny balcony embraced by national flags, and boasted a view of the park across the street and the stunning Mausoleum of Emir Temur. While the beds tended to be hard, we found this to be a norm across Uzbekistan. Bathrooms were modern and had mostly reliable hot water. Just enough decor touches to remind us we were in Samarqand. Included breakfast was basic but so convenient. The whole hotel was as clean and tidy as a new pin; the shady rooftop terrace a great place to unwind with a cold beer; and at night it was possible to see both the gorgeously illuminated Gur Emir and the tops of the buildings in the Registan Ensemble. The location is wonderful - within walking distance of these big tourist sites, the entertaining bazaar, and a variety of restaurants. While the hotel is near a main thoroughfare, its leafy street is quiet and cool. Best of all? The friendly and ever-helpful front desk staff, who spoke fluent English and always had time for conversation.