Tashkent, Uzbekistan

With its grand, faux-medieval, brick-and-ceramic façade, this is the nearest thing to a luxury boutique hotel in Tashkent. It’s a little chintzy to convince as a five star, but the rooms are impeccably smart and there’s are two pools to lounge in (a rarity in Uzbekistan), as well as a pleasant inner courtyard with raised ‘tapchans’ where you can relax over a drink in the evening. The hotel is central and convenient for sightseeing and airport transfers.