Where to Stay in Khiva (Options Include 2 Converted Madrasahs)

When I write guides about where to stay in cities, I typically break it down by neighborhood and budget. This guide is going to be a little different, as I stayed in two different hotels in Khiva and I loved both so much that I don’t really have any additional recommendations outside of a second converted-madrasah option (in case the one I recommend has no availability).

This is my guide to where to stay in Khiva, Uzbekistan (including two converted madrasahs).

Whenever I make it back to Khiva, I will try to stay at a different location, so I have additional places to put in this guide… but for now, this guide includes the two fabulous places I stayed, which are perfect for mid-range travelers, as well as a third option that is also famous and targets a traveler with a larger budget.

Do you have any questions or recommendations for good places to stay in Khiva? Drop your favorite Khiva hotels and guesthouses in the comments… thanks!

Where to Stay in Khiva Overview

Khiva has a lot of accommodation options! In this guide, I cover three – two are inside the Itchan Kala and one is just outside the east gate of the Itchan Kala called the Polvon Gate.

Here is a quick overview of the Khiva accommodation options I discuss in further detail below:

• Polvon-Qori Boutique Hotel (a converted madrasah right outside the East Gate; mid-range option)
• Khiva Siyovush Hotel (a family-owned guesthouse inside the Itchan Kala; mid-range option)
• Orient Star Khiva Hotel (a converted madrasah inside the Itchan Kala; higher-end option)

I stayed at the first two on this list, but I visited the third. I actually planned to book Orient Star Khiva Hotel for a night but it was sold out, so I booked Siyovush instead (excellent choice as I loved the place).

Inside the Itchan Kala vs. Outside the Itchan Kala

Staying inside the Itchan Kala (walled city) is a great idea, but please research your accommodation well beforehand to ensure you can get dropped off easily with a taxi to it. Otherwise, you may be dragging suitcases around on the uneven stones. I stayed at Hotel Siyovush inside the Itchan Kala and fortunately, there was a road right in front of it that I could be dropped off at and picked up from.

In order to access sites inside the Itchan Kala, you will need to pay for the 250,000 UZS (around $20) 2-day ticket at the East or West gate. However, this is technically only if you’re going to actual sites (palaces, madrasahs, museums, etc). To reach your hotel, you do NOT need to pay this fee.

So, you can go straight to your hotel from the train station or airport without heading to a ticket office first. If you decide to purchase the ticket to see sites (I mean, why else are you in Khiva?), you can go to either of those gates or ask your hotel if there is an additional ticket point you can grab it from.

One perk of staying outside the Itchan Kala is that it tends to be quieter. A lot of restaurants have terraces and live music in the evenings. Hotel Siyovush was super quiet in the rooms but it was next door to a restaurant that was kind of loud, so I could hear it from the lobby before reaching my room. Polvon-Qori Boutique Hotel had no outside noise and was probably one of the quietest places I have ever stayed.

My Favorite Hotels in Khiva (+ Details)

1. Polvon-Qori Boutique Hotel

This was one of my favorite stays… ever. Polvon-Qori Boutique Hotel is a converted madrasah that dates back to the 19th century and has its own 21-meter-high minaret. How cool is that!? You can climb up it but do be aware that this is not for the claustrophobes (like me).

When you arrive at Polvon-Qori, you will head straight to reception before entering the green courtyard that is teeming with mulberry trees. I even got to help them harvest them one morning, a ritual I grew to love in Armenia.

There are 21 rooms on-site, including family rooms, single rooms, and more. I stayed in a room that had a queen-size bed and a spacious bathroom, equipped with a large bathtub. The room was perfect and the air-conditioning worked like a charm, a must in Khiva.

Breakfast was included in my stay inside the restaurant and you could eat inside or take it to the terrace which had several tapchans (traditional Uzbek wooden tables where you sit outside). They had everything on the buffet from crepes to fresh fruit to tea.

My favorite thing about Polvon-Qori Boutique Hotel (besides it having a minaret) was that it was super quiet at night inside the rooms. Maybe it is because it was built with such thick walls, but I never heard anyone outside my room. Granted, the people staying there were respectful travelers, but I still think the rooms were exceptionally quiet.

The only negative I found during my stay is that my room (Number 11) had a small step in the room that was covered by a carpet that I tripped over several times. It is a mini-step but it was still kind of annoying.

They covered it with a carpet that made it kind of difficult to see. I don’t believe the structure of a historic building should change but maybe a ramp or a different type of carpet would bring more attention to it.

Nevertheless, Polvon-Qori was one of the coolest places I stayed in and I highly, highly recommend it to everyone. You can stay there as cheaply as $38/night as a solo traveler, so it is definitely within most budgets.

2. Khiva Siyovush Hotel

The second place I stayed in Khiva was the Siyovush Hotel. Honestly, I booked this on a whim after my dreams of staying at Orient Star Khiva Hotel were dashed when it came up at full capacity. Siyovush had brilliant ratings and was a more affordable option, leaving me not entirely sure what to expect, as I wanted to stay somewhere within a different budget.

Either way, I am glad Orient Star was full because I had the chance to meet one of the nicest families at Siyovush Hotel. This family-run establishment has such a personal vibe and everyone was so kind. They even prepared us an early (and delicious!) breakfast for the following morning as we had an early departure to Nukus.

Our room had three twin-size beds, air-conditioning, and a spacious bathroom. It was all well-maintained. The reception and lobby area were beautifully decorated.

One of the best things about staying at Khiva Siyovush Hotel is that it is inside the Itchan Kala, but in an area that is quieter and has road access. This was so important when we got picked up for our transfer to Nukus the following day. Our driver was literally waiting outside our door. I had no negatives from staying here whatsoever.

Definitely one of the best places to stay in Khiva (and the near-perfect reviews speak for themselves). Rooms at Siyovush start at $42/night for solo travelers and a triple room with a private bathroom starts at $78/night.

3. Orient Star Khiva Hotel

As mentioned before, I didn’t have a chance to stay here because it was full when I needed a room in Khiva. I actually saw this madrasah-turned-hotel on TikTok first when someone was showing off their stay in an old madrasah. I immediately added Orient Star Khiva Hotel to my list, not realizing I was actually staying in a similar style place with Polvon-Qori.

Orient Star Hotel is located in the former Muhammad Aminkhan Madrasah, which dates back to 1855. Part of its appeal is that the famous Kalta Minor minaret is right outside its doors and the only entrance to the minaret is through a hotel room.

There is an on-site restaurant and free private parking available. When you walk in, you’ll see the reception, followed by a spacious courtyard surrounded by the rooms. Single rooms start at $73/night and doubles start at $95/night.

Where to Stay in Khiva FAQ

Is it worth staying inside the old city walls in Khiva?

Yes, it is worth staying inside the city walls (Itchan Kala) but do know that it may be slightly more expensive and it has the potential to be noisier, depending on where you’re going to stay. Another con is that the hotel or guesthouse may not offer road access, which means you’ll have to get dropped off a little further from your accommodation than if you were to stay outside of the Itchan Kala.

This is not the case for all hotels, so be sure to get in touch with your hotel beforehand if you have mobility issues.

What are the main accommodation options in Khiva?

In Khiva, you will find hotels, guesthouses, hostels, and unique accommodation options. There are a few places like Polvon-Qori Boutique Hotel and Orient Star Khiva Hotel that are actually converted madrasahs and some of the coolest stays in Uzbekistan.

Do guesthouses in Khiva include breakfast?

Most guesthouses in Khiva include breakfast. Breakfast hours range from 7-10am (give or take) and you’ll find everything from crepes to fruit to pastries on them. Fresh tea and coffee are usually also included on the breakfast buffet.

How much does accommodation in Khiva cost?

It depends on which type of lodging you choose but there is something for every budget in Khiva. Hostels can be $10 or less, guesthouses are around $20-30 a night, mid-range hotels are around $50-60, and luxury hotels are around $100+.

Prices will also vary with the season and are the highest in spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October), which is considered the peak season.

Should you stay in Khiva or Urgench?

If Khiva is the place you’re planning to explore, definitely Khiva. Urgench doesn’t have the same charm that Khiva has and even though it is only 35km away, it is still not going to be fun to commute back and forth just to stay by the airport.

How far in advance should you book accommodation in Khiva?

If you are planning to stay at a unique accommodation, like a converted madrasah, book as far ahead as you can. Otherwise, book as you’d book anywhere else… maybe two months ahead or more. There are plenty of hotels in Khiva, so you will be able to find something, but the popular places like Orient Star Khiva Hotel do fill up fast.

Are there any luxury hotels in Khiva?

You won’t find the super luxurious places you may find in Tashkent, but you can still find affordable luxury in Khiva like at the Orient Star Khiva Hotel or Farovan Boutique Hotel. These places will not break the bank, but you’ll be plenty comfortable and will have a good experience in Khiva.

Do you have any questions about where to stay in Khiva? Let me know your favorite hotels in Khiva… or the place you’d love to stay most when there. Thanks!

More Khiva Travel Guides

• Things to do in Khiva
• Woodcarving workshop in Khiva
• Shivit osh class in Khiva
• How many days do you need in Khiva?
• Should you visit Khiva?
• Best restaurants in Khiva

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