If you are looking for a hotel in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Mövenpick Samarkand is a good choice to consider.
Generally speaking, Samarkand’s hotel landscape has expanded considerably in recent years, keeping pace with the growing number of tourists. International chains have arrived, and boutique hotels have proliferated. As a result, you now have enough options to choose from. Given a large number of hotels in the city, you will always find a place to stay. No doubt about that. However, keep in mind that some of the most popular hotels sell out quickly during high season and major holidays. This is true for most of the cities in Uzbekistan. It is therefore highly recommended to book in advance.
When choosing a hotel, make sure to consider its location, not just the amenities and price. Samarkand is a relatively large city that has heavy traffic at times, so you don’t want to stay too far from the main attractions.
About one month before our stay in Samarkand, I spent a few days researching different hotel options. Since I was going with my daughter, I needed to choose a place suitable for families. I checked the availability of some popular boutique hotels, but they were sold out by then. After considering the available choices, I eventually settled on Mövenpick Hotel. We had a fantastic stay there and recommend it to everyone who wants to stay in an international chain in Samarkand.
Below is my review based on our stay.
Location
As we quickly found out, one of the greatest advantages of the Mövenpick Hotel in Samarkand is its location.
It takes only 20 minutes to walk to the Registan Square, and less than 20 minutes to the Amir Temur tomb, so it’s very convenient.
Very close to the hotel are some stores where you can buy groceries and any necessities, as well as a number of good restaurants and even a shady park. When we stayed in Samarkand, I could not think of a better location for a hotel; everything was so conveniently located close to it.
Facilities
Mövenpick is obviously a large hotel, so its facilities are far superior to those you would see at any boutique hotel.
We found all the hotel facilities amazing. The outdoor pool was our favorite place to be. The pool is excellent in size, and the water is kept at a comfortable temperature. The pool is deep enough, but there is a shallow area for the kids, even the smallest ones. Plenty of towels by the pool, and the staff were helpful when we needed to put up an umbrella or something else. You can also order food and drinks by the pool. In addition to the outdoor pool, Mövenpick Hotel in Samarkand also has a smaller indoor pool. Next to it, you will find a hammam and a sauna. Don’t forget to try the gym – it has plenty of exercise machines, all very modern.
My daughter and I love to play tennis wherever we go, so we chose the hotel based on the availability of a tennis court. Movenpick is one of just a couple of hotels that have a tennis court in the city. If you are a tennis player like us, make sure to bring your racket.
For business travelers and events, the hotel has five meeting rooms with multimedia equipment. The wellness facilities are complimentary for hotel guests, making the property a convenient place to unwind after a day of sightseeing around Samarkand.
Restaurants
The Mövenpick Hotel offers an amazing breakfast with lots of great choices. While many hotels in Uzbekistan serve only a small breakfast, this is the type of breakfast I’m used to at all the major hotel chains. You’ll find many amazing fruit choices, pastries, eggs, vegetables, and other things. The breakfast room is very beautiful, and the service is excellent.
Beyond breakfast, Mövenpick Samarkand offers several dining options, making it easy to enjoy a meal without leaving the hotel. Atrium serves European, Turkish, and Uzbek cuisine in a spacious setting, while Chatqal is a good choice for exploring local Uzbek dishes, with views over the pool and park. The hotel also has Caramelle in the lobby and a Lobby Bar for more casual drinks and refreshments. For a hotel in the heart of Samarkand, the combination of international choices and local flavors makes the restaurants a convenient option after a day of sightseeing.
While the hotel has many dining options, I do recommend venturing out and exploring the city’s amazing landscape of Uzbek restaurants. Check out my Samarkand Guide for suggestions of local restaurants to visit!
The Final Word
We had such a good time at Mövenpick Samarkand that we cannot even think of staying at another hotel. If you are coming to Samarkand, I highly recommend this choice.
