CULTURE — June 12, 2026
BBC Correspondent Liz Doucet Wins Women’s Nonfiction Prize for Kabul Hotel Book
The book draws on her time living at the Intercontinental Hotel starting in 1988 and examines the experiences of its staff across multiple eras of Afghan political history.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Amu TV — 2 min read
BBC senior correspondent Liz Doucet has won the Women’s Nonfiction Prize for her debut book "The Best Hotel in Kabul."
The book recounts Afghanistan’s history through the story of the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul where she lived starting in 1988 during the Soviet withdrawal. Doucet first entered the hotel that year and stayed for nearly a year.
She has reported on Afghanistan for more than four decades. Her coverage spans the communist era, civil wars, first Taliban period, republic, and Taliban return.
The narrative centers on the experiences of hotel staff as they lived through these successive political changes. It also examines current restrictions on women.
The award recognizes the book’s contribution to nonfiction writing by women authors.
Read the original reporting at Amu TV →
Reliability assessment
Single-source reporting with no cited officials, prize committee statements, or independent corroboration of the award win; core event remains unverified beyond this outlet
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Culture — Liz Doucet, The Best Hotel in Kabul, Women’s Prize, BBC, Intercontinental Hotel Kabul
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