Islam Khodja Guesthouse Khiva Review 2026: Solo Travel in Itchan Kala

🏨 This Stay Alone Would Make Me Return to Khiva 🏨

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The single room I stayed in was really small.

There wasn't even enough space on the floor to stretch out once.

But if I ever go back to Khiva, without hesitation,

I would book this accommodation again.

Even stopping the taxi that was taking me to the airport

to make sure I got my breakfast packed lunch,

all thanks to a truly kind host💞

01. My #1 Pick for a Return Stay in Uzbekistan

The host left a stronger impression than the room size.

Of all the places I stayed in Bukhara, Khiva, and Samarkand,

if I had to pick one to return to,

Khiva's Islam Khodja would be my top choice!

It's definitely not because of fancy facilities or spacious rooms.

That's certainly not why it's my top pick.

After all, the single room I stayed in was tiny.

Still, the bedding and bathroom were impeccably clean,

and it was incredibly convenient for walking around Ichan Kala.

Most importantly, the kindness I received

made me completely forget any disappointment about the room size.

02. A Truly Tiny Single Room

Small, but the Sunlight and Cleanliness Won Me Over

It had a single bed and a desk,

with hardly any floor space to stretch out.

I tried to stretch once and immediately gave up.

If you need to fully open and live out of your suitcase,

the single room I stayed in might feel a bit cramped.

However, the room and bedding were exceptionally clean.

Sunlight streamed onto the bed through a large window,

and outside the window was a quiet alley.

Among all the accommodations in Bukhara, Khiva, and Samarkand,

this was the only one with a window facing the outside!

With bottled water and tea provided,

it was perfectly sufficient for a solo traveler to relax for two nights.

The room had a private bathroom, not a shared one.

The toilet, sink, and shower area were all

spotlessly clean overall!

Towels and a hairdryer were available,

along with toilet paper and basic toiletries.

Both the hot water and water pressure were satisfactory for my two-night stay!

There were no issues with weak water flow or fluctuating temperatures during showers,

which can often be a concern.

While the room size was undeniably a drawback,

the bathroom's cleanliness and amenities were satisfying.

The excellent bathroom condition played a significant role

in why I was able to overlook the small room!

Breakfast was included for my two-night stay.

It was a hearty buffet-style breakfast

with bread, eggs, fruits, and vegetables...!

03. From Souvenir Magnets to an Airport Lunchbox

The Real Reason I'd Book This Place Again

I spotted some magnets for sale on the stairs on the first floor,

and being a magnet collector, I quickly dashed to grab some cash.

As I picked out a magnet I liked and was about to pay,

the host simply called it a gift,

and placed it in my hand.

He just asked that if I ever came back to Uzbekistan,

I would stay with them again!

On the day I returned from a tour outside Khiva,

I bought a whole melon because they were so cheap,

but as a backpacker, you don't exactly have a way to cut up a whole fruit, right!?

But then!

The host cut it up themselves in the kitchen

and neatly arranged it on a plate for me!

They even guided me to a spot in the courtyard

where I could eat it while enjoying the night view of the Islam Khodja Minaret.

And then, on my last morning.

I had to leave early for Urgench Airport,

so I took a taxi arranged by the host and set off.

I was supposed to get a packed lunch since I'd miss breakfast,

but we both forgot, and I just left.

But then again!

After the taxi had driven for quite a while, I received a call,

and the driver actually turned the car around and drove all the way back to the accommodation.

The host had realized they hadn't packed my lunch

and called the driver back!

A packed lunch with apples, a sandwich, tomatoes, sausages,

pastries, and croissants.

I grabbed it and headed back to the airport,

where I enjoyed my breakfast.

Not only was the room perfect,

but the host was incredibly kind too..♡

▼▼ Check Availability for Islam Khodja ▼▼

04. From Single to Triple Rooms

If you need space, start by comparing rooms

Based on Booking.com as of September 2026,

there are three types of rooms listed:

Room Type	Bed Configuration	Recommended For
Single Room	1 Single Bed	Solo traveler, just needs to sleep
Double Room	2 Single Beds	Two people, or those who need extra space
Triple Room	3 Single Beds	Three travelers

If you're traveling solo but value spaciousness,

don't just look at single rooms – compare them with others too.

Always double-check the payment methods and cancellation policy

at the final step for your chosen room and dates

before booking.

05. A Location Where I Walked All Over Itchan Kala

It was convenient to go back and forth to the accommodation during sightseeing

I arrived in Khiva by train from Bukhara, then

took a taxi from Khiva Station right to the front of the guesthouse.

It was a backpacking trip, and the paths inside Itchan Kala are stone.

Since Islam Khodja is located inside Itchan Kala,

I walked to all the main attractions.

According to the map, it's about a

2-minute walk to Islam Khodja Minaret,

4 minutes to Juma Mosque, 6 minutes to Kalta Minor,

and around 7 minutes to the West Gate of Itchan Kala.

Best of all, the Islam Khodja Minaret

was directly visible from the guesthouse courtyard.

It was lovely during the day, but absolutely stunning at night with the lights on.

The alley where the guesthouses are clustered

was set back from the main street, so it was dark at night.

I didn't feel scared, but if you're traveling solo,

keep this atmosphere in mind.

06. Recommended For These Travelers

Those Who Prioritize Location and Kindness Over Room Size

Recommended for those who want to stay 1-2 nights inside Itchan Kala

and explore on foot, those who prioritize clean bedding and a private bathroom,

and those looking for a small guesthouse with breakfast!

Conversely, if you want to spread out your luggage on the floor

and have ample space, a single room might not be recommended.

If you're expecting modern, large hotel facilities, or

want to be right next to a bright main street,

I'd probably look at other Khiva hotels first.

For me, I would re-book Islam Khodja

over other accommodations with slightly larger rooms.

Because the kindness I received from the host is

far more memorable than any downsides of a small room..♡

If you're looking for a single room for a solo stay,

first check the bed and floor size in the room photos,

and choose a room that also includes breakfast.

▼▼ Check Khiva Room Availability by Date ▼▼

If you have a memorable place to stay in Khiva,

please also tell us your top choice for a return visit!