If you’re planning a trip to Khiva in Uzbekistan then you’ll want to know the best area to stay for the perfect trip.
Luckily, finding accommodation in Khiva is very simple as most of the hotels and tourist attractions are located inside Khiva’s Old City Itchan Kala.
In this article you’ll learn where to stay in Khiva so you can relax and enjoy your trip.
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Where to Stay in Khiva: Quick Answer
Khiva’s main tourist attraction is the Itchan Kala, a walled fortress which is home not only to most of Khiva’s historical landmarks but also dozens of lovely affordable boutique hotels and a small number of restaurants.
For most tourists, the best place to stay in Khiva is inside the Itchan Kala walls where you’ll be no more than a 20 minute walk away from all landmarks and restaurants.
Staying inside Itchan Kala enables easy navigation of the UNESCO site and offers the chance to experience the city at night when many monuments are illuminated.
Some of the best (9+ rated) hotels in this area are:
- Best Overall: Khiva Siyovush Hotel (9.7)
- Best Location: Nazira Boutique Hotel (9.5)
- Best Boutique: Ulli Oy Hotel (9.6)
- Best for Families: Polvon-Qori Boutique (9.4)
Where to Stay in Itchan Kala
Staying inside the Itchan Kala walls means you’re never more than a 10 minute walk to any of the city’s tourist attractions or restaurants.
Most of the places to visit in Itchan Kala stretch from the Kalta Minor Minaret by the West gate to the Tosh Hovli Palace in the East of the old city. Most of the hotels are grouped together either North or South of Itchan Kala.
Where to Stay in Itchan Kala (North)
The Northern part of Itchan Kala is home to around 20 hotels as well as Terrassa Restaurant, one of Khiva’s best restaurants. The gateway to climb the walls of the fortress is also here.
In terms of monuments, the only main monument in this area is the majestic Amir Tura Madrasah, built in 1870. It’s a relatively quiet part of the city since other than hotels, it’s mainly a residential area with narrow backstreets and Khiva’s iconic mud-walled houses.
Some of the best hotels in this area are:
Art House Boutique Hotel (9.4)
Has a stunning rooftop view of the city, homemade breakfast and spacious rooms. They also play traditional live music at the hotel.
Meros B&B (9.3)
Meros also has a beautiful rooftop view, especially beautiful at sunset. Rooms have hand-painted ceilings, some with balconies facing the fortress walls. Staff can help you to book trips and transportation.
Ulli Oy Hotel (9.6)
One of the most stylish hotels in Itchan Kala, Ulli Oy is a family-run boutique hotel with a beautiful lobby. It also has a rooftop view of Kalta Minor Minaret.
I stayed here myself and enjoyed breakfast until I exploded…
Where to Stay in Itchan Kala (South)
The Southern part of Itchan Kala is also home to around 20 hotels as well as a couple of restaurants like Cafe Zarafshon.
Monuments here include the beautiful Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, the Islam Khoja Minaret and the Southern Stone Gate. It’s also a fairly quiet part of Itchan Kala that covers a little more area than the North. Walking around the fortress walls is particularly interesting in this area.
Some of the best hotels in this area are:
Khiva Siyovush Hotel (9.7)
Located by Islam Khoja Minaret, Siyovush Hotel has excellent service, incredibly clean rooms and staff can help you with tours and transport. One of the highest rated hotels of the whole city.
Conveniently located next to the Islam Khoja Minaret, this family-run hotel has some fantastic views from its balconies. Staff are exceptionally helpful and attentive and will go out of their way to help you.
Rooms are clean and spacious, and the whole hotel is elegantly decorated with traditional Uzbek rugs, wooden columns, and wooden ceilings.
Islam Khodja Hotel (9.7)
With a beautiful courtyard looking onto the minaret of the same name, Islam Khodja hotel is praised for its friendly hosts and homely environment. It’s also popular for its breakfasts.
Luxury Hotels
The majority of hotels inside the old city are family-owned small hotels all with different charms, atmospheres, and unique local touches.
If you’re looking for something a little more upmarket then the only luxury hotel is Farovon Hotel, a 4 star hotel just 3km away from the old city. Taxis to the old town can be booked from reception and are incredibly cheap at around 15,000 Som.
Farovon has the best facilities such as a swimming pool, gym, and huge courtyard. I stayed here myself on my first night in Khiva and it was worth the extra money for the comfort.
If you’re planning a trip to Khiva then your best bet is in Itchan Kala or just outside. With so many highly rated hotels in such a small space it’s difficult to make a mistake!
Read our guide on things to do in Khiva if you want to know more about visiting this quaint little city.