Nuratau Mountain Viewpoint

The staff were really friendly and helpful, especially Sitora. She was able to arrange private taxi for us from Samarqand to Tashkent airport, since we were leaving at 6am- she even arranged lunchpacks for the four of us to have on our journey. The hotel looks and feels very luxurious, extremely large spacious rooms and the biggest shower space i have seen in any hotel! Constantly being cleaned. I would still book this hotel again but some things for management to improve: * The breakfast area need some oversight- items run out without being replaced, no black tea. Loose tea option but teapots all run out too so cant use the loose tea! Serves ham so as muslims we were worried about contamination as they were using the same egg pan for all omelettes with ham option too. Breakfast area staff not as happy to help as rest of the hotel staff. * hotel looks new but fixtures and fittings coming loose, door handles loose, but any issues are sorted out fast. I wouldnt let this stop me staying here again

I had a very disappointing experience at the Continental Hotel in Samarkand during checkout. My sister unfortunately lost her room key card, and the receptionist immediately told us we had to pay a $30 fine. I asked him to show me the hotel policy or any written terms stating that a lost card carries a $30 charge. He could not provide anything. When I questioned the charge, his behaviour became increasingly aggressive. I asked to speak to the manager so we could resolve the matter properly, but he refused. He then began shouting at me. I explained that I had a taxi waiting outside and a train to catch, but instead of trying to resolve the issue professionally, he continued to argue. What was particularly concerning was that the amount suddenly changed. The original demand was $30, then it was reduced to $20, and eventually to $15 after I continued refusing to pay a charge that had not been supported by any policy he could show me. I eventually paid the $15 reluctantly because I was under severe time pressure and did not want to miss my train. I paid because of the circumstances, not because I accepted that the charge was justified. The issue is not really the $15. It is the way the situation was handled: an unexplained “fine,” no policy provided, refusal to let me speak with a manager, a repeatedly changing amount, and aggressive behaviour towards a guest who was trying to leave. My advice to future guests is to avoid this place at all cost. It’s run by gangsters.