Kazakhstan Hotel

While we were aware it is an iconic, historic hotel, it did not live up to expectations. The room we had looked quite stuck in the soviet era, with an old, dated carpet and wallpaper. It is also quite cramped. There was a lot of visible dust on some surfaces, and the window was wide open when we entered the room. Air conditioning unit was clearly built in as part of the renovations several years ago, and wheezed periodically. Strangely there was literally only one power plug we could access in the entire room, and it was for the TV. Luckily we had a multi charger! The bathroom is very cramped. You can either choose to use the sink or step out from the shower, but not both. Similarly, if someone is using the wc, the door cannot be opened. In many ways this reminds us of Japanese hotel bathrooms, except poorly planned and nowhere as modern. Breakfast was busy and there clearly were insufficient tables for the guests, many had to share tables with other guests. When we went up to the room after breakfast at 1030am, our card no longer worked. We were told firmly that check out is at 12, which we are aware of. We asked for the card to be reactivated and when it was passed back to us at 1045, we were again sternly informed that check out is at 12. We've literally stayed one night - why keep telling us check out is at 12? We found this quite rude. All in, I'd only recommend this hotel if you're into the retro aesthetic and appreciate the history behind the building. It's clearly in need of an extensive renovation, and you need to be very specific if you want to stay in their refurbished rooms (evidently only on certain floors).

Very interesting experience staying in the old Soviet building. The location is very much in the center of the city with access to public bus and metro around its vicinity. The room is very basic but comfortable. Breakfast spread is really good. They have loads of fruits option. For those who are also traveling solo and wanted to use public transport to and from the airport, it is possible to hop on bus number 92 with metro access.

Over all It was a good experience

Excellent location. In the heart of the nightlife area and it has several restaurants and bars attached to the premises

I love staying at this hotel. Staff are friendly and helpful, it has a decent buffet breakfast. Location is great. Just needs to be refurbished! But staying in this Soviet era hotel has its charm.

Hotel staff are polite and very accommodating,they fulfilled most request during my week long stay. However, the TV in the room only offers Russian and Kazakh programs tho there’s a lot of non Russian/Kazakh speaking guest. Wide variety of breakfast but gets repetitive during a long stay. Spa/sauna is complimentary but almost impossible to book, partly lost in translation as the staff in charge doesn’t speak much English and it’s always occupied for some reason.

A classic Soviet icon building, beautiful lobby, that's where it ends. The rooms are ANCIENT - old big-box tv in the room, no safe and no refrigerator as advertised. Drilling noises in the early morning from my room. Old mattresses lying on the bedroom floors. Rooms clearly haven't been updated for 30 years. No sockets placed conveniently in room so have to put the tea tray on the floor to use it. Insane! No thought put into the comfort for guests using the room. Treated like a number instead of a guest. Not enough staff on reception. Breakfast very good but busy. Have a look inside and get a bite to eat maybe, but stay someplace else!

Hotel is in really strategic position in city from where can reach anywhere by foot or yandex. Lobby very big and nice, rooms very old and outdated with bad smelling from moquette, in 3 nights stay never provide change room and only last night set up room for double bed as booked. Breakfast huge but quality average. Forgot a sweater in wardrobe and mail them since was returning to Almaty days later to pick up but they answering cant find nothing in room so watch out for your belongings because staff robbery.