Hostel O2

Location: Conveniently situated near bus terminals with bus stops nearby, facilitating travel. Adjacent to a lake and parks, creating a pleasant environment.(based on 37 reviews)

The hostel is clean and well equipped, but I recommend that they separate long term guests from one night guests. Almost every night, there was someone with a late bus or flight who packed noisily, slammed lockers, or made a lot of noise with plastic bags, disturbing everyone’s sleep. I also suggest offering four bed dorms even at a slightly higher price because they would provide more comfort and better rest. Because of these issues, I couldn’t sleep well for three out of my seven nights here. The first night was especially unpleasant: at 4 a.m. someone pulled open the curtain of my bed and started arguing with me, claiming I was in their spot. That was really disturbing and made my stay uncomfortable. Aside from that, the beds and facilities were good. The staff were friendly; only one of them, a woman named Yasmin, spoke English, but she was very kind, helpful, and made things easier for me. The others were Russian and didn’t speak English, but they still tried their best to help. If you’re Chinese, you’ll find that about 90% of the guests are also Chinese, so you’ll have plenty of people to chat with. The location is very nice, right in front of a lake, which looks beautiful at night. There’s a 24 hour supermarket across the street and a restaurant next door with tasty food. The bathrooms, toilets, and kitchen were acceptable, and there’s a bus stop nearby.

Spacious hostel within walking distance from Almaty's main bus terminal. Location is great all-round with bus stops a few metres away and the reservoir park directly opposite. Prices vary across booking platforms, though regardless, this option is a reliable choice with great WiFi, AX, and complimentary tea and water. The kitchen is a good size too, and likewise the washroom facilities. Would recommend 100%.