Hilton Garden Inn Samarkand — Hotel in Samarkand City

Extremely Disappointed with Language Barrier and Food Options at This "Five Star" Hotel

I recently had the unfortunate experience of staying at the Hilton Garden Inn a part of a well-known chain of hotels that I've been a regular customer of. To say that my stay was disappointing would be an understatement. I felt compelled to share my experience here, as I believe honest feedback can contribute to improvements in the quality of service.

Upon arriving at the hotel, I was immediately struck by the glaring language barrier that seemed to permeate every interaction. It's puzzling how a reputed "five star" hotel, catering to a global clientele, could fail so spectacularly in ensuring that its staff is proficient in English. This language barrier not only hampered basic communication but also made it incredibly frustrating to get even the simplest requests across. The lack of effective communication significantly hindered my overall experience.

What was even more disappointing was the attitude of the staff members. The rudeness and lack of willingness to assist were evident in every encounter. It's disheartening to be treated so dismissively, especially when you expect a certain level of hospitality from a hotel of this stature. The staff's behavior contradicted the very essence of hospitality that a hotel should stand for.

Moving on to the dining experience, I was shocked to find that the hotel offered absolutely no vegetarian options on its menu. In this day and age, when dietary preferences and restrictions are acknowledged and catered to by even modest eateries, it's incomprehensible that a supposedly prestigious establishment would have such a glaring oversight. The lack of any consideration for vegetarian guests is not only disappointing but also indicates a severe lack of awareness and inclusivity.

As someone who has been loyal to this chain of hotels, I expected much more. My stay was a stark departure from the positive experiences I've had at other properties within the same chain. The issues I encountered, ranging from the language barrier to the absence of vegetarian options, collectively painted a picture of a hotel that falls far short of the standards it claims to uphold.

I sincerely hope that my feedback reaches the management and prompts them to take swift corrective actions. They has a lot to learn in terms of guest experience, communication, and menu diversity. As a regular customer who has invested time and resources into this chain, I am deeply disappointed and can only hope that my next stay will not be marred by the same issues.

In conclusion, I urge the management of the HILTON to reflect on these shortcomings and work towards creating a more welcoming, accommodating, and inclusive environment for all its guests, regardless of their language or dietary preferences. Only then can the hotel truly justify its claim of being a "five star"...

A stylish, modern, and comfortable Hilton property in Samarkand. The lobby is large and inviting as you step inside from the blistering Uzbek summer heat. The good size indoor swimming pool is a very welcome amenity after sightseeing in the sun all day. It’s open until 10 pm, which I really appreciate, as a swim before bed is one of my favourite holiday rituals. The young reception staff are professional and can complete your transactions in English. The breakfast, included with some rates, was great. On demand fresh eggs or waffles, along with a buffet. Proper espresso (latte, cappuccino, etc) in a country where it’s not always easy to get coffee. Fresh fruit, salad, cheeses, cold cuts, somsa, and 3-4 hot dishes each morning. Guest rooms are spacious, nicely designed, and everything feels new. The only small problem is that the TV doesn’t really work. It receives channels via Ethernet connection and perhaps the system lacks capacity because the channels are distorted. (English news option is BBC). The hotel is a bit distant from the main tourist sites like the Registan or Bibi Khanyum mosque, but Yandex (rideshare service like Uber, download the app!!) is so inexpensive, that it doesn’t really matter. Rides from the hotel to the historic centre in July 2024 cost me between 10,000 - 15,000 som (USD $0.80 - $1.20). The on site restaurant is Giotto’s, which has a stand alone property in Old Bukhara that has good reviews. I didn’t eat here for lunch or dinner, but it’s an option. While I didn’t get around to using the spa, I noted that the prices for massage are very affordable by western standards (about USD $35 for...

One of the worst hotels I have ever stayed at. At the beginning, I was told that the invoice would be waiting for me at check-out. I left my details, told them when I was leaving, and there was supposed to be no problem. Of course, there was no invoice, my details had not been passed on, and the man at the reception explained that I could only receive a pro forma invoice at the moment, and the rest would probably be sent later.

In addition, the restaurant's operation is a joke. At breakfast, the lady practically yelled at me that she wanted to eat something at 9:50 a.m., told me to quickly decide what I wanted and sit down because they wanted to clean up. Later that day, there was a problem with room service orders. The only thing you could order via that app, was cola. Nothing more, nothing less. For two days, I reported the problem that it was impossible to order through the app on the TV. No one fixed the problem. Later, when I placed an order by phone, the restaurant staff pretended to be cats. Yes, cats. So when I tried to order anything, the only response was “meow meow,” which the same man from the reception desk acknowledged with a smile and almost laughed in my face. In the end, the food arrived, and it was mediocre. The best part was the service charge, despite the problems with the order and the service.

Great advertising for Uzbekistan. Never again Hilton, never again to Samarkand. I do not...