DA Hostel Almaty

I’d never stayed in a shared room before, and I couldn’t have picked a better place. The hostel was spotless, safe, and comfortable. I loved the homely feel and the staff. Olga was especially helpful and friendly. : )

The setting is really peaceful, and the mountains around Almaty are right there in view when you step outside. The place was clean, the staff were friendly, and there’s a local grocery store nearby. Great spot, worth checking out.

The hosts were kind and helpful, and I had a wonderful stay. I met travelers from Egypt, Nigeria, Russia, and Kazakhstan, and they shared how much they enjoyed being here too. Thanks for making the visit so good. Best wishes, Ali from Pakistan 🇵🇰

Inside, the hostel felt deeply bleak to me. The lobby curtains stayed shut and the lights were off, so it was dark and dingy, with no music or other sound. The dorm was cramped and had the same depressing feel. My mattress sagged badly, like a sinking ship. There’s only one shower for women and one for men. On my last day there was no toilet paper because they were waiting for a delivery, even though a shop is five minutes away. Laundry needed a full day’s notice, and sometimes had to be arranged a day earlier. Most of the guests seemed to be workers over 40 who lived there long-term, so it didn’t feel like a hostel for tourists. Everything was satisfactory in a basic sense, but the place left me extremely downhearted, with no positive atmosphere. The exterior is attractive, with a secure gate and plenty of parking for cars, bicycles, and motorbikes. The area is pleasant too, about a 15-minute walk from the cathedral and monument park. The kitchen was clean and a comfortable size.