Dushanbe Serena Hotel — Hotel in Dushanbe

Tldr; the hotel charged me nearly $400 CAD for a basic laundry service with inflated prices for items that I never gave. Managers never addressed my concerns, and I never received compensation.

I stayed at Serena three times during the summer of 2025. The rooms and location are very good. However, I found that the prices are very overinflated. The biggest example of this is an incident I had where I was charged an absurdly high amount for laundry. I gave laundry two times during my stays. On the first occasion I was told that I didn't need to submit the list, and wasn't charged at the end when I checked out. The second time on another visit, I wasn't asked for a list of my laundry, but then at check out I was given a bill of over 2000 somoni. When I asked for the detailed accounting, it listed numbers of items that I simply didn't have. Even though I only had two pairs of pants with me on my trip, the bill it listed 10 pairs. Moreover, the prices per item are also very high. This is something to watch out for if you yourself are ordering laundry.

When I raised these issues to management over email, I was stone walled. I then visited the hotel again in-person on my return to Dushanbe, and was told by the manager Rustam that he would investigate the discrepancy and respond to me before I left the country. I told him that I was leaving on the weekend, and that I would return in person on Saturday to follow up. He confirmed this with a nod. When I returned on Saturday, I was informed that it was his day off and only interns were staffing the hotel that day! Despite assurances from the interns that I would be refunded for the charges when the managers returned on Monday, I never heard back. I followed up over email and was told by managers that the discrepancy would be "investigated as soon as possible", but weeks have gone by and I have heard nothing.

As a result of this experience, I can confirm that the administration of this hotel is highly duplicitous. Charging such a vast sum for a small load of laundry is shameful, and lying to my face that they would address the discrepancy only makes the matter more shameful. I would not trust them to manage any other dispute or incident that emerged, and would encourage other guests to be on their guard...

The staff at this hotel are incredibly friendly and helpful (especially Mansur at the front desk). They are kind and clearly care about their work. Everything else, however, is a complete disappointment. There are old guide books to the hotel in the room, describing their rooftop restaurant on the 9th floor. When I asked about making a reservation there at the front desk, the staff was confused because that restaurant has been closed "for 2 or 3 years." Okay, so why is it still in the book in the room? The book in the room also lists room service as 24 hours, but it's actually only 7 AM until 11 PM. On my first day, I informed the front desk that the refrigerator in my room was not working. They said someone would come fix it, but no one ever did. It remained unfunctional throughout my stay. When I ordered room service, it took me 15 minutes to get someone who understood they have more than one kind of wine - all he could offer was "red or white" - even though the menu says they have an extensive list. Moreover, they did not have the soup I ordered. So I asked for a different soup from the menu, which they also did not have (they didn't realize this until 25 minutes after I placed the order). The hotel also has the most bizarre rule I've ever heard of: no outside food allowed. You must sign a document when you check in that certifies you will bring no outside hot food in (meaning: no leftovers from a restaurant, no deliveries, etc). This seems obviously a ploy to make more money on the food in the hotel's own restaurant, which is dry and horrible. I ordered a chicken biryani and pulled out 5 full chunks of lemons (???), including their ring. I kept having to spit this out as I ate. I went to the hotel gym on a 90 degree Farenheit day, and the air conditioning was turned off, making it sweltering. There is also no one at the front door of the hotel to assist you with your bags or open the door for you when you arrive. Do not stay here - its price is very high for Tajiistan, and it's outdated interiors and senseless functioning make it absolutely not...

REVIEW OF THE RUDAKI RESTAURANT (LOCATED INSIDE THE HOTEL):

Located within the elegant Dushanbe Serena Hotel, Rudaki Restaurant offers a serene dining experience in the heart of the city. The setting is refined yet comfortable — a modern space with high ceilings, soft natural light, and a calm, airy atmosphere that feels worlds away from the bustle outside.

During my visit, I dined alone — the restaurant was nearly empty — making it an unexpectedly quiet spot for a dinner. Service was polished, polite, and attentive throughout, with staff who struck the right balance between professionalism and warmth.

The menu, while thoughtfully curated, could benefit from more clarity; there were no photos, and a beverage list was notably absent. When I inquired about juices or sodas, I was told none were available due to a machine issue. Fortunately, the team swiftly resolved the problem and soon presented a freshly squeezed orange juice, vibrant and refreshing — a small triumph that made me genuinely smile.

I began with a chicken soup, a reliable staple in Tajikistan, and once again it delivered — comforting, flavorful, and satisfying. For the main course, I ordered the lamb chops, which arrived as three impressively large single-ribbed chops. Though there was quite a bit of gristle and fat, the lean cuts were tender and full of flavor. The dish was accompanied by a grilled tomato slice and a round of potato purée shaped like a small cake — an understated but pleasant pairing.

While not a flawless experience, Rudaki stands out in Dushanbe’s modest dining scene. It may not be the city’s finest, but it certainly ranks above average — and thanks to its atmosphere, service, and a few memorable moments, I would...