Hotel Otrar Location: Almaty Rating: 3-star Well situated facing Panfilov Park, the Otrar dates from Soviet times but stands up very well. It has spick-and-span rooms with air-con and satellite TV, a fitness room, sauna and a good help-yourself breakfast.

Silk Road Lodge Location, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic Rating: 3-star (unofficial) The Silk Road Lodge was built in 2000 in the centre of the capital, next to the Central Park and just a few minutes walk from the White house and Bishkek's popular restaurants. In-house bar-restaurant offers a wide range of international and local meals. Hotel also has facilities for a leisure: heated indoor pool with two saunas. All rooms have en suite bathrooms with bath and heated floors, tea/coffee making facilities and taps that are equipped with water filters. [hotel website not available]

Hotel Four-Points Sheraton Ak Altin Plaza Location: Ashgabat Rating: 3-star Contemporary hotel located 5 minutes from city center & 3 km from Carpet Museum & Independence Monument

Hotel Dedeman Location: Tashkent, Uzbekistan Rating: 3.5-star An exceptional relaxing atmosphere, luxurious rooms and elegant restaurants await you at the Best Hotel of the Year 2005 in Uzbekistan. Rooms feature: Direct telephone, minibar, electronic safe, Internet connection (free, broadband, wireless connections), TV, air conditioning, hair dryer. [CLICK on photo for more information]

Hotel Malika Location: within walking distance to the main historical sites of Samarkand,Uzbekistan Rating: 3-star This newly built private hotel presents the finest Uzbek woodcraft. Hotel Malika features 26 guest rooms. There is a small yard in the hotel with Uzbek national sitting benches - "supa", where you can have breakfast or relax and have a cup of tea. Rooms: Air conditioning, telephone, satellite TV, mini bar, shower. Property amenities: Restaurant, internet, bar, laundry, souvenir shop. [CLICK on photo for more information]