Almaty Hostels

It’s not new but generally speaking it’s good. After my nightmare stay in Astana and aktau with those international groups’ properties I am more certain about it.

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.

On a holiday in Kazakhstan for 15 days, my wife and I stayed at this hotel on 3 different occasions and have returned with mixed reactions - 1) 2 Nights on the first leg of our trip - Though the hotel and room looked a little rundown requiring refurbishment, it was a comfortable stay and service though, very stiff and formal, was acceptable. Breakfast - Very good; Communication - Poor due to most staff members being unable to communicate in English. 2) 1 Night on the second leg - Room very good. Service - Stiff but again acceptable. Breakfast again very good and communication poor. BUT the worst part was that the integrity of house keeping and reception staff was suspicious. While checking out after our first stay, my wife had left behind a set of clothes in the wardrobe. This came to realization, after reaching our next destination and I immediately called up the hotel and informed them. The lady assured that she would check and ring back, which she never did. When we checked-in around 5 days later, I was told that house-keeping had reported that nothing was left behind. My wife was firm and we asked to speak to a senior manager or the GM. It was then that we were asked to please wait for a recheck once again. One hour later, I received a call in my room, requesting me to collect the dress from the reception, without the courtesy of having it sent up to our room. 3) 1 Night on the last leg, before taking our flight back home. Room - Small and in very poor condition with walls having peeling wall paper and stains, Shower room, very small restricting mobility for me at 184cms height. I requested if the room could be changed but was answered with a curt - SORRY. OVERALL - This hotel definitely needs to upgrade it's service which is the FIRST ESSENTIAL in the hospitality business. A mechanical smile and words of welcome are not enough to convince a traveller to come back. If my bookings were not pre-confirmed, I would certainly not re-visit after our experience on the second time.

The room was not cleaned; no drinking water was provided (drinking water for the next day). I have stayed in this hotel many times, and this time it feels much worse than before.

Dinner in the hotel is problematic. The menu needs to be downloaded to the phone. It is not readable there. There is no alternative. Or from the phone or not. Frozen waiter will not help you. As a result, dinner was in a restaurant opposite the hotel. The hotel was filled with interest on thirty, but behind the wall we were settled by drunken people who arranged a debosh at four in the morning. Resepschn did not solve the problem, said ”we spoke to the guests,” but the noise continued. Only after the promise in the morning to complain to the leadership, we were offered to move to another room for the night. And be ready, that in the morning, at breakfast, you will be treated with pro-Ukrainian propaganda on two TVs. At the request of changing the channel, the answer was that ”we are obliged to show the world news.” Well, the yelling maids in the hallway are fully voiced It is clear that all the forces of the leadership have gone to build a building of the corresponding level of a five-star hotel, and the building has really succeeded, and the service of the forces is no longer enough. Usually I don't write reviews, but these guys tried very hard to spoil the rest. Good boys, it turned out

Our July 3-12, 2023, family stay at the Novotel Almaty City Center Hotel for our son and daughter-in-law’s Qyz Uzatu bride’s wedding was memorable and outstanding. The staff was accommodating beyond expectations. Examples of services and assistance furnished include: 1) gorgeous congratulatory bouquet of roses, cake, and bottle of champagne for bride and groom upon their arrival, 2) Front Desk Receptionist Elmira ordered, negotiated, and “babysat” multiple wedding flower bouquets the day of the bride’s wedding event, 3) Deputy General Manager Yevgeniy personally helped finalize five 10-day room reservations, following up multiple times ensuring our full satisfaction, then emailing us a farewell and thank you note for our stay, 4) Front Desk Manager Altyn happily assisted with various requests, 5) entire staff was cooperative, positive, and professional, and 6) hotel restaurant’s breakfast buffets were delicious, and lunches were quite satisfying, too. Additionally, the hotel location was fantastic b/c: it’s adjacent to the large public plaza with memorial and fountains, as well as the tram to the nearby mountaintop which had restaurants, zoo, amusement park, etc.; walkable city center with nearby restaurants, shopping, green spaces, and more. Based on our family’s experience, we zealously endorse and recommend the Novotel Almaty City Center Hotel and will fondly remember our stay and the hotel’s kind, thoughtful, and service-oriented staff for taking care of our family.