Lotte City Hotel Tashkent Palace4

Lotte City Hotel Tashkent Palace is a hotel with a singular character, blending monumental 1958 Soviet architecture with high Asian hospitality standards. Guests unanimously praise its phenomenal location right in the heart of Tashkent and the astonishing level of care from the staff. However, the fabulous breakfasts and the politeness of the team are counterbalanced by rooms that are noticeably dated and in need of a refresh. It’s a great pick for those who value top-notch service and historical atmosphere but are willing to overlook retro interiors.

Key Observations

Exceptional service: The hotel staff regularly earns rave reviews. Guests note the doormen who open taxi doors, and the concierge team — with special thanks to Samir and Abdullah — who are ready to assist in any unusual situation, including buying tickets and solving transport troubles.

Legendary breakfasts: The buffet is considered one of the best in the city. Korean dishes are a particular highlight, including ramyeon, kimchi and soups that change daily, along with freshly squeezed juices and an abundance of fresh fruit, which can be enjoyed on the open terrace in the courtyard.

Historical spirit and wear-and-tear: The grand facade and elegant lobby make a pleasant first impression, but the corridors on upper floors and the rooms themselves clearly need renovation. Guests complain of worn, stained carpet, old furniture and dim, cold lighting.

Main Pros

• Superb location in the historic centre of Tashkent, opposite the Navoi State Academic Bolshoi Theatre;
• Incredibly responsive, polite and English-speaking staff that exceed expectations for a four-star hotel;
• A varied and high-quality buffet breakfast with Korean and vegetarian options;
• A picturesque courtyard with an outdoor pool and a well-tended garden;
• A well-equipped gym and an excellent Finnish sauna;
• An on-site currency exchange desk and ATMs right in the lobby.

Main Cons

• An outdated room stock that needs redecoration and carpet replacement;
• Plumbing issues, such as slow-draining sinks, and weak air conditioning;
• Weak and unstable Wi-Fi signal in the rooms;
• Icy water in the outdoor pool, which is unheated even in September despite warm air temperatures;
• Overpriced rates compared to more modern competitor hotels.

Overall Grade: B

Hotel Overview

Basic Information:

• Name — Lotte City Hotel Tashkent Palace
• Address — Tashkent, Buyuk Turon Street, 56
• Contact details — Phone: +998-78-1205800, Email: [email protected]
• Year opened — 1958 (major renovation completed in 2013)
• Number of rooms — 232 rooms
• Positioning and category — Chain four-star business and premium-class hotel

Description: Lotte City Hotel Tashkent Palace occupies a grand neoclassical building constructed in 1958 and formerly known as the Hotel “Tashkent”. The hotel harmoniously blends Eastern hospitality with the exacting standards of the South Korean Lotte chain. Guests can enjoy a spacious lobby with live piano music in the evenings, a courtyard with a pool, a wellness centre with a sauna and a gym, as well as the Italian restaurant Bella Notte and a rooftop terrace. Access to facilities and the famous breakfasts are usually included in the room rate.

Target Audience: The hotel is ideal for business travellers and conference attendees who appreciate a high level of service, as well as for tourists wanting to stay in the very heart of the city surrounded by major attractions. Thanks to familiar Asian cuisine, it is especially popular with guests from South Korea.

Location & Transport

Location: The hotel is set in a prestigious, leafy and safe neighbourhood in the very heart of Tashkent. Across from the building stands the majestic Alisher Navoi State Academic Bolshoi Theatre with its famous fountain. The surrounding area is quiet and perfect for evening strolls.

Key Points of Interest: The Museum of the History of Uzbekistan, Independence Square (Mustaqillik), Amir Temur Square and the pedestrian Broadway promenade are within walking distance. The journey by taxi to Tashkent International Airport takes about 10–15 minutes, and to the central railway station about 10 minutes.

Transport: The “Mustaqillik Maydoni” metro station is about 500 metres away (around a 10-minute walk). Taxis can be summoned instantly, and the door staff are always ready to help with boarding and luggage. For guests with cars, there is a secure parking area with electric vehicle charging stations.

Walkability: The neighbourhood is extremely pedestrian-friendly. Wide pavements, abundant greenery, squares, cafés and restaurants make walks pleasant and comfortable.

Grade: A

Rooms & Cleanliness

Rooms at this hotel evoke mixed feelings. On the one hand, guests are pleased by the spaciousness, high ceilings, comfortable beds with quality linens and excellent pillows. On the other, the interiors clearly lag behind modern standards: the carpet is often worn and stained, furniture looks old-fashioned, and the lighting can be too cold and dim. Cleanliness is maintained at a high level thanks to thorough daily housekeeping, although occasionally guests report small issues, such as torn linen. Soundproofing is generally good, but windows facing the busy street may let in traffic noise.

Grade: C+

Service

Service is the great pride of Lotte City Hotel. The staff demonstrate an exceptional level of hospitality and professionalism, noted even by the most discerning travellers. Receptionists and concierges are fluent in Russian and English, quickly resolve any issues, and often go the extra mile by arranging early check-in. Guests give special thanks to Davron, Samir, and Abdullah for their genuine care and assistance in emergency situations. Complaints about slow room service occasionally appear, but they do not mar the overall excellent impression.

Grade: A+

Dining

Dining at the hotel earns the highest praise, especially the buffet breakfast. The selection is incredibly wide: European classics (syrniki, omelettes, pancakes) sit alongside traditional Uzbek dishes (plov is sometimes served) and a full Korean corner (ramyeon, soups, kimchi, rice). Guests remark on the high quality of ingredients and the availability of freshly squeezed juices. On the ground floor there is the Italian restaurant Bella Notte and a Piano Bar, while in warm weather dinner can be enjoyed in the courtyard. Some guests complain about having only one coffee machine at breakfast, which can lead to short queues.

Grade: A

Facilities & Amenities

The facilities include a picturesque courtyard with an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers and a well-kept garden, though the water is unheated, making it comfortable for swimming only at the height of summer. Guests also have access to a spacious fitness room with modern equipment, an excellent Finnish sauna, a business centre, conference rooms and a currency exchange desk in the lobby. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge, but the connection speed in the rooms occasionally draws complaints from business travellers.

Grade: B

Important Notes

• Room rates and breakfast prices are quite high by Tashkent standards, which is not always justified by the condition of the rooms;
• Rooms lack power outlets in the bathroom and full-length mirrors, something many guests point out;
• The glass bottles of complimentary drinking water provided in rooms have very tight caps that are difficult to open without assistance;
• Pets are not permitted.

Practical Tips for Guests

• If you are travelling with elderly people or children, choose a room with courtyard-facing windows to avoid street noise and enjoy views of the pool and garden;
• When booking, be sure to compare rates on the hotel’s official website and on third-party platforms — the official channel often has more attractive special offers;
• If you find the signature water bottles in the room hard to open, don’t hesitate to ask the front desk staff — they are well aware of this issue and will help right away;
• Be sure to go to breakfast early so you can take your time enjoying Korean soups and freshly squeezed juices, and secure a table on the open terrace in the courtyard.

Final Verdict

Lotte City Hotel Tashkent Palace is a magnificent example of Eastern hospitality with flawless service and the best breakfasts in town, set in an iconic historic building. The main compromise for guests will be having to put up with tired room interiors that cry out for a refresh.

Overall Grade: B

Breakdown: Location: A | Rooms: C+ | Service: A+ | Dining: A | Facilities: B | Value for Money: B-

Best for: business people, tourists who value a perfect central location, and fans of Korean cuisine.

Not for: those seeking ultra-modern designer interiors, brand-new rooms, and a heated pool in the shoulder seasons.