The best accommodations Kazakhstan

Budget & Tips

Kazakhstan's hotel offer is growing year on year, especially in the big cities, where you can now find the full range of good-quality hotels. It's often staff training that lags behind, due to the lack of truly specialized hotel schools. The range of bed and breakfasts and guest houses has yet to be created, although there have been attempts in the past, notably in collaboration with CBT(Community based tourism), which has worked particularly well in Kyrgyzstan. In Kazakhstan, the number of tourists arriving each year is still too small to see the development of such a network. There are a few hotels in the country that have survived from the Soviet era and offer budget accommodation, but don't expect luxury or comfort.

As far as rates are concerned, you'll certainly find them higher than elsewhere in Central Asia, as hotels are tailored more to Chinese, Turkish or Western businessmen, depending on the location, than to tourists. In the mid-range, you'll sleep very well for a budget of €40 or more. If you're looking for top-of-the-range accommodation, try to book through an agency, which may be able to negotiate better rates than the rack rates available at reception.

To be booked

In Turkestan, it's best to book in advance if you plan to stay during a pilgrimage period or Navrouz. For the rest of the time, reservations are not necessary in the country, but it is wise to make them in Astana or Almaty, where conventions are sometimes held and can easily fill downtown hotels. As space is limited at the Shymbulak ski resort, it's also advisable to book your room (and equipment if necessary) in advance.

What's very local

Whether on the steppe or on a hike, you'll certainly have the opportunity to sleep in a yurt: an unmissable experience when traveling in nomad country.

Smokers

Some hotels still offer smoking rooms, but you'll need to make this clear at reception. But more and more establishments are now applying the law to the rule and prohibiting smoking.