Mary, Turkmenistan

The regional capital and successor to ancient Merv, Mary is a classic Central Asian provincial capital – functional and well scrubbed, but somewhat lacking character. Which just about sums up the Hotel Yrsgal. Conveniently located in the centre, the property looks like a throwback to the Soviet era, but was in fact opened in 2005. It is as smart as things get in this remote corner of the Karakum, with 47 simply furnished rooms and a restaurant.