Our first night in Kyrgyzstan was spent at the Grand Hotel Chavo in Osh, the country’s second-largest city.
At check in we were handed two key cards for rooms 211 and 205. After a difficult conversation due to the Receptionist’s lack of English, we made our way up to the 2nd floor clutching the card for 211, only to discover it opened the door to 205. Having returned to reception and had another difficult conversation, we got into the right room, to discover only one set of towels. Fortunately, there was a lift as I returned to reception for yet another difficult conversation.
The good-sized, slightly old-fashioned looking room had a large bed, with just a single sheet which was fine in the heat. There was plenty of space for two cases to be opened, and a wardrobe with one robe and set of slippers and the safe. Tea and coffee making facilities for two were provided, and the mini bar was stocked with soft drinks.
The bathroom had a large walk-in shower which didn’t leak, lots of complimentary toiletries, and a good hairdryer and mirror combination.
Having had a very busy day crossing the border from Uzbekistan, followed by lots of exhausting sightseeing in temperatures of 30 degrees plus, we were desperately in need of a reviving G&T before an in-house dinner. Having discovered we were staying in an alcohol-free hotel, the receptionist, who had by now changed and spoke good English, helpfully suggested a nearby shop where we could buy beers, but as we found out, it too was alcohol-free. We sent an emergency WhatsApp to our guide, who promised to find a shop and bring in beers.
Whilst waiting for our drinks, we browsed the pretty standard European menu with salads, soup, burgers, pizza, pasta and some meat dishes, but disappointingly nothing traditional. However, the Kyrgyzstan Apna beers were brewed in the capital Bishkek and were much needed by the time they arrived. On trying to order food, we discovered the charming young waiter spoke no English, but he suggested using Google translate to communicate. My first choice of Greek pasta with beef and sauce wasn’t available, and so I plumped for spaghetti bolognaise with our other choice being chicken Caesar salad. Both were very good, but when I asked about desert, Google told me ‘No, unfortunately, sorry.’ With a bottle of Georgian Borjomi sparkling water, the bill came to 1,014 Som or £9.05, and we were able to pay by credit card. We appeared to be the only guests in the hotel, but possibly the no-alcohol policy made others eat out. The last Google translate of the evening was ‘Sorry for my poor English’.
Breakfast began at 7.30am and after a slightly disastrous evening, we found it was one of the better breakfasts on our tour, as there was so much space, and the dishes were beautifully laid out and presented. There was a good selection of cereals, yoghurts, dried fruit and nuts, fresh apricots, plums, apples sliced with orange segments, an assortment of cheeses and meats, mixed salads, the ubiquitous cucumbers and tomatoes, gherkins and pickles. Hot dishes included noodles, sausages, crepes, fried eggs, and porridge – with more things coming out during the half hour we were there. There was also cakes and bread, tea and tea pots and a coffee machine, although the hot milk part wasn’t working.
This was certainly a quirky hotel, but as our mantra of accommodation in Kyrgyzstan began, ‘it was fine for one night’.
