Karagat

A quick check-in, a big lobby, and a nice breakfast. The rooms are large, but the furniture is outdated, there's no AC, and the toilet needs redesigning. Still, it's a nice option in Karakol.

The room size and storage were the best parts. There was plenty of cupboard space, and we could fit several bags without feeling cramped. These were the largest rooms we stayed in on our trip around Kyrgyzstan. The Wi-Fi was extremely unreliable, working only by the entrance door or in the bathroom. There was no bidet, which may be uncomfortable for many Asian guests, and the hand shower didn't work. That left the lower tap or overhead shower, so there was no way to shower without getting your head wet. Breakfast was limited too, especially if you're vegetarian. Karagat was comfortable in some ways, but came with a few real compromises. For us it's a 3 out of 5.

The hotel looks nice, but the things that matter weren't working. The shower temperature swung between scalding and freezing, and the Wi-Fi wasn't fit for purpose. The freestanding air conditioner wasn't very effective and needed water, which staff didn't fill for us. All its buttons were in Chinese. Our toilet cistern also failed to refill on its own, so we had to open it and do that by hand each time. The kettle and fridge cords couldn't reach the sockets. Breakfast didn't start until 8, and even after our tour guide asked the manager for a 10-minute early start so we could leave at 8, it didn't happen. Staff were very reluctant to give us two keys for a twin room and weren't helpful. The website lists a gym and pool, but neither exists. The place has been refurbished, so these problems shouldn't be too hard to fix. It has potential, but right now it's terrible. There must be somewhere better.

The hotel looks modern, and its location near Karakol's main areas is convenient. My short stay was average, though, with several things that need attention. The beds were comfortable but creaked loudly whenever I moved, which got annoying at night. The outlets by the bed didn't work, and although I told staff on the first day, nothing was fixed before I left. There were frequent power cuts in the area, but the hotel had no generator. Breakfast was the same every day, with no variety or freshness, and the staff seemed disorganized and not very proactive. The broken toilet seat cover remained broken despite several reminders. Towels weren't replaced regularly: there were no foot towels for the first two days, then one arrived on the third day as I was about to leave. Hand towels were missing until the last day. Garbage wasn't cleared, and the room wasn't properly cleaned, they only made the bed. The hotel has potential, but needs better management, maintenance, and care for guests. As it is, it doesn't justify the price or the “four-star” label.