Hotel Nusay

The hotel has changed its name to Diwan. Good WiFi. Friendly staff. Good sized rooms and swimming pool. Generous breakfast with lots of options. Centrally located although as with all things Ashgabat the surrounding area can feel a little dead. Good exchange rate at the hotel reception. Do not use cards here as you will get the government rate. So take dollars and change them and then use cash.

Met up with others through Saiga tours for Turkmenistan trip. One girl had idea to upgrade here as we heard it was the only hotel with internet. She was right, and it was worth the $190us/night. Still only worked in room, and watch out for cameras everywhere, don't take pics of gov't sites or palaces, don't post anything disparaging about the country or gov't, to get LOI use new email or delete everything in your profile about government job, media, journalist, religion, or anything controversial (ie abortion, women's rights). Pool was unheated but nice as hot. Hotel is lovely, sparkling marble and gold, friendly bartenders, feel watched all the time, breakfast was ok (nothing for gluten free except yogurt and eggs), service was excellent, we were 5 of maybe 10 people in whole hotel. Location is ok, very long to walk to go anywhere, taxis are generally available if you speak Russian.