Glamping Pana Ayusai

The scenery at Kolsay Nomads (Pana Kolsay) was stunning, but the stay was a disaster and not worth the money. In such a remote place, I expected some hospitality and preparation, yet we felt completely on our own. There was no help getting to the resort, no clear communication, and nobody to guide us. We waited about 20 minutes before reception appeared. There was no WiFi or mobile network, and the staff made no effort to welcome us. Even a kettle had to be requested, and when it arrived, there wasn't a glass to use with it. The staff seemed indifferent, as though guests were an inconvenience. The service, comfort, and hospitality fell well below basic expectations. I wouldn't repeat the experience.

Hotel Pana Kolsai is in a stunning spot near Kolsai Lake, but the service was the worst I've experienced. After our long journey, we arrived at check-in time and found the restaurant fully booked for a private function, with no food options left. Staff didn't know what to do when we asked for help, and suggested walking 4.5 km down the mountain to the lake. We argued for a while before finally getting a ride down. After dinner, it was freezing and pitch dark, and no car came to take us back. We were told to walk up the mountain. We waited an hour in the cold before they eventually sent a car, but only after telling us to sit with the luggage. The staff were rude and unhelpful. A truly unforgettable stay for all the wrong reasons. Avoid this hotel!

We loved the place and had an amazing three days with my wife. The room was amazing, the website pictures were 100% real, and the grounds were immaculate. I even saw staff cleaning around 5 am. We ate at the restaurant, went hiking, and had two barbecues. The staff were friendly and helpful throughout, checking if we needed anything and being present. There was no WiFi, but we bought a SIM card with unlimited internet and were fine. They don't seem to pay much attention to Google or other platforms, but they really look after the property. One drawback was arriving: we used booking and messaged to request early check-in since we were landing at 4.00 am, but got no reply on the website or via calls and WhatsApp. We went around 8 am, and they didn't seem to know we'd booked, though they gave us the room we'd reserved and let us check in then. Highly recommended.

We spent the last 2 days of our Kazakhstan tour here, paying around 10,000++ pesos for two nights after booking directly on their website. We wanted to hike to big almaty lake early, then relax on the second night before heading to the airport. It was peaceful and relaxing, with a nature vibe. salamat po