Holiday Inn Express Hotels in Almaty

The location, environment, and lobby are all very beautiful. The only and biggest drawback is the bed The bed was too old. It sank completely and was tilted to one side. It was very uncomfortable to sleep on. I asked the hotel to change rooms for the second night, and the front desk said that every room is the same🤷🏼♀️

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.

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.

Oh my God from where I start! This hotel deserves to be # 1 in Almaty. The moment we checked in it was pure luxury all through our stay. We booked two superior rooms and the rooms on the Privilege floor (11th floor) were just perfect for our 4 night stay...every small detail was taken care of by a fabulous team, jacuzzi on the same floor was so relaxing, the service was exceptional, breakfast spread had so many choices (their pâtissière dishes have to be given a special mention). What stands out is the location of the hotel, so close to Promenade and popular sights. Finding a Yandex will never be a problem, no matter what time of the day it is. Would love to stay again at Mercure Almaty City Center!!

We have booked 2 rooms for 3 Nights at the Hotel. The hotel is centrally located and very well maintained. Rooms are big and well designed. The USP of the Hotel is its swimming pool and Jacuzzi pool in the basement. They also offer SPA and its quite well maintained with courteous staff. Biggest flipside is the lack of veg/vegan options at the breakfast. Even a basic item like boiled eggs get over and not refilled. Housekeeping is another department where the Hotel needs to buck up. Overall a very good stay.

This is not a bad hotel but not quite as luxurious or high end as one might expect from the pricetag. Checkin was handled well and I get a modest upgrade for Hilton status. The best thing about the room was the view of the snowcapped mountains from two sides. Bed was comfy and towels were thick and plush. The bathroom was not great; a stand-in tub with a half door that doesn't keep the water from leaking out, and a ridiculously places handheld shower that either you had to hold or crouch down (unless you are under 5 feet tall) to use. Just unacceptable for a four star international hotel. Also the shower gel didn't work and the shampoo container was not even attached to the wall. Other things in the room didn't work quite right. Breakfast was a reasonably good buffet. The location is slightly out of the way but an easy and cheap Yandex ride or walk of 20-30 minutes to the more central sights. Overall not a bad choice (especially if you want to earn or burn Hilton points) but not sure it is worth the rates.