Boutique Hotel Traditional

Amazing location. Great breakfast choices. Large room.

The plastic shower capsule was like from the 90ies and very small. They definitely need to get rid of them and make normal walk-in shower. They are cake traditional but it is in Russian style which does not make sense for Kazakhstan. I was expecting it will be more about Kazakhstan culture.

The hotel is within close walking distance of most of Astana's top tourist destinations (e.g., Nurzhol pedestrian Boulevard, Khan Shatyr -- the tent Entertainment Center, and the impressive Opera and Ballet theatre). The staff are very friendly and helpful (e.g., they printed documents for me, carried my heavy bags, and allowed very early check-in on my arrival day). The complementary breakfast was wonderful. There were many options on the menu and I was able to order exactly what I wanted. My meal was always beautifully presented and the service was fast and friendly. On my departure day, staff delivered my meal to my room at a very early pre-determined hour. This level of service exceeded my expectations.

I only wish there were more clear information (in English) about the spa and how it works. I think many international tourists would enjoy it if they better understood the process and options available.

Good choice of breakfast. Original decor.

The hotel is well placed for the huge 'yurt' shopping center and for access to the key central 'abu dhabi' plaza area of the city. Also a new metro runs from the airport which has a stop around a 20-minute walk away (but taxis are very cheap and easy and from the airport). The entrance to the hotel looks welcoming and the lobby is nice and large. The staff were all very pleasant and cheerful although their level of English was not good. The wifi was reliable and strong. Breakfast was in the price and was good. We did not use any spa facilities. The towels were really thick and fluffy! Although it's very near a busy major road the windows are well-insulated so you barely hear the traffic.

I don't get why this hotel is rated as 'Superb' (although it may be thought so by local people staying it's not so at an international standard). And I don't get the 'boutique hotel' label here as in my view it's not, unless it's due to the Victoriana-style furniture placed here and there in the lobby. The bedroom is very 'shades of browns' which looks a bit dull and gloomy. And the aircon was pretty old and clunky and at floor level so it wasn't great. The bedroom door locking mechanism was heavy and strange - as a result people tended to crash their doors several times to shut them. In a hotel which has wood-floored corridors with high ceilings it meant this crashing echoed around the halls and it woke us up several times (there was a wedding event on so people were coming to their rooms in the early hours). Moreover, the room sound insulation wasn't good and you could hear talking through the walls and from above (and their energetic humping too). The bathroom was quite tight for space, and there was very little room around the sink to put your wash things. There were no kettles in the room so you could not make tea or coffee even if you bought your own supplies. It wasn't available in the lobby either. Breakfast was good but was waiter service (which was fine with very courteous service) but it meant you were limited in choice and quantity (and speed if you were in a hurry).