Komil Bukhara Boutique Hotel

Komil Bukhara Boutique Hotel is the kind of place many people picture when they plan a Bukhara trip: a small hotel in the old-town lanes, a short walk from the pond and the great minaret. Expedia gives the address as 40 Barakiyon Street and lists it as three minutes on foot from Lyab-i-Hauz and five minutes from the Kalyan Minaret, with a rating of 8.8 out of 10 from 99 reviews. Rooms include standard single, double, twin and triple rooms and a larger deluxe double or twin, with sizes from about 151 to 237 square feet. All have air conditioning, free WiFi, a safe, a television with satellite channels, a refrigerator, an electric kettle and a private bathroom with free toiletries. A free continental breakfast is included, and the hotel has a terrace, a coffee shop, a restaurant and a bar, along with laundry service, bike rentals and express check-in. An airport shuttle is available on request for a small fee per vehicle. Guests describe the rooms and courtyard as charming, and one mentions an outdoor breakfast area.

Location and getting around: this is the great strength of the hotel. Lyab-i Hauz and the Kalon complex are within a five-minute walk, so you can step out for dawn photographs or an evening glass of tea at the pond and be back in minutes. The trading domes, the Ark and most other sights are within a short walk or a cheap taxi ride. The airport is about eleven minutes by car, and the railway station is further out of town, so arrange a transfer for arrival by train.

The rooms and who it suits: rooms are modest in size and traditional in style, and the deluxe double or twin gives you the most space. The triple room suits friends or small families. It is best for couples and independent travellers who value location and atmosphere over a long list of facilities, and who are happy to climb stairs or walk uneven lanes. There is no pool, so travellers who want to cool off in summer may prefer a larger hotel with a pool.

Good to know: continental breakfast is included, which keeps costs down, and the outdoor breakfast area is pleasant in spring and autumn. Lanes around the hotel can be narrow, so luggage may need a short carry from the taxi stop. Rates are modest, around the mid-range of Bukhara boutique hotels, and rooms book up in the spring and autumn seasons. Because the hotel is small, noise from the courtyard or neighbouring lanes is possible; ask for a quiet room when you book. With Lyab-i Hauz so close, you will use the hotel as a base for walking, so pack comfortable shoes and enjoy the old town after the day groups have gone.