Hotel Indigo Bukhara brings an international hotel brand to a city better known for carved doors and caravanserais. The Indigo brand is generally associated with design that draws on its neighbourhood, so it is worth looking at if you like a hotel with some personality rather than a standard business box. For many Silk Road itineraries that is a welcome contrast: you spend the day in dusty lanes and domed bazaars, then return to a modern, air-conditioned room with dependable service. It sits at the upscale end of the Bukhara choices in this guide, above the small family-run boutique hotels on price, and exact facilities such as a pool, spa or restaurant should be checked when you book.
Location and getting around
Confirm the exact address and the walking distance to Lyab-i Hauz, the Ark and the Kalon complex when you book, because Bukhara's old town is compact but the best hotels for walking are those inside or beside it. Taxis and ride-hailing are inexpensive for anything further, and the front desk can usually arrange a driver for Chor Minor, Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa or a transfer to the railway station, which lies outside the centre.
Rooms and dining
Expect modern, comfortable rooms in several categories, with suites for travellers who want more space. A breakfast is normally offered, and a restaurant or bar may be on site, but whether breakfast is included depends on the rate, so check your booking. If you want a pool or spa, check that one is available before you choose, because facilities and seasons can vary.
Who it suits
Couples, small groups and first-time visitors to Uzbekistan who want a recognisable brand and consistent standards, and travellers returning to Bukhara who have already done the courtyard guesthouses and want something different. Photographers who want to be in the old town at dawn may prefer a hotel closer to Lyab-i Hauz, so compare the location. Those who want carved wooden ceilings and a family-run feel will find that in the boutique hotels elsewhere in this guide.
Good to know
Check-in is usually in the afternoon and check-out around noon, but confirm the times. Book ahead for April, May, September and October, when the weather is best and rooms go first. In summer, midday heat makes walking difficult, so plan monuments for early morning and late afternoon, and make good use of the air conditioning in between. Carry some cash in soms for bazaars, taxis and small cafes, since cards work in hotels and some restaurants but not everywhere, and keep your registration papers handy.
Why stay here
- ✓International brand hotel
- ✓Design-minded rooms (check when you book)
- ✓Air-conditioned rooms
- ✓Restaurant and breakfast options
- ✓Help arranging taxis and transfers
- ✓Day-trip and tour planning help
- ✓Wi-Fi (check when you book)
- ✓Suites and larger rooms (check when you book)
Good questions
Is Hotel Indigo Bukhara in the old town?+
Check the exact address and walking distance to Lyab-i Hauz when you book, since location varies between Bukhara hotels.
Does it have a pool or spa?+
Facilities can change, so check when you book if these matter to you.
Who is it best for?+
Travellers who want an international brand with modern rooms and dependable service after days of sightseeing.
