Amulet Hotel

Set into the old city of Bukhara, a few steps from the Lyabi Khauz complex, Amulet Hotel occupies a madrasah built in 1861 by the merchant Said Kamol. Students once lived and studied philosophy and religion in its small cells; today the building stands as a protected monument, reconstructed to keep its original character intact. The courtyard still anchors the layout, with rooms opening onto galleries on two floors. It is a compact stay. Inside, oak beds are handmade, and rugs, ceramics and embroidery are worked by local craftsmen rather than bought new. Each room has air-conditioning, a satellite television and a bathroom with modern fittings, so period detail sits alongside plain comfort. Original wall paintings survive in places, done in plant-based pigment by an unnamed hand, and thick timber beams still cross several ceilings. A small library on Bukhara's history and architecture sits off the lounge, itself furnished in a traditional low-table style, with heated foot cushions in winter and a satellite television for guests who want one. Staff arrange transport, guided tours and a plov-cooking demonstration for visitors passing through. The old city's monuments, including the ensemble next door, are within walking distance. It is a small, family-run hotel rather than a chain property, and it reads that way from the front desk to the rooms upstairs.