Hotel Oguzkent 

During our Silk Road trip, Ashgabat was our first stop, and our stay at this hotel truly set a positive tone for the rest of the journey. The hotel was recommended by our tour guide, but I also did my own research ahead of time, reviewing feedback on TripAdvisor and learning more about what the hotel industry offers in Ashgabat. I was looking for a place with a comfortable bed, great food, reliable service, and a welcoming atmosphere—and I’m happy to say this hotel delivered. The hotel itself is beautiful, with elegant gold-and-white décor in the rooms and a large, spacious lobby. We booked two rooms. In one of them, we initially experienced a Wi-Fi issue and a non-working air conditioner, but both were resolved quickly and efficiently by the staff. In general, the Wi-Fi worked perfectly throughout the hotel. Breakfast offered a good variety of options—a nice balance of Turkmen and Western choices. I especially enjoyed the local lemonades, yogurts, dried nuts, and “pokads” (a delightful local snack). The reception staff were helpful and knowledgeable. While there were some language barriers with English, it didn’t take away from the overall positive experience. I’m very happy with our stay and would absolutely return to this same hotel if I come back to Ashgabat. It was a wonderful start to our three-week Central Asia journey.