Holiday Inn Express Almaty

Below average breakfast, and the hotel's Wi-Fi didn't work properly. Staff didn't cooperate at all, and housekeeping left the room poorly cleaned. Whenever we asked for help, their unruly attitude was disappointing. Food was unavailable after 6 p.m. They told us we were on our own if we needed anything then, because the kitchen closes at 6, and there was nothing at the bar either. We had to go out looking for food at night in freezing temperatures.

The room worked well for three adults and a child. It wasn't huge, but it was comfortable, and the sofa opened into a bed where we all slept pretty well. The hotel was clean, looked almost new, and didn't cost much. Breakfast had plenty of choice and tasted good, including options for the two of us who are vegetarian or vegan. We were meant to stay six nights in Almaty but stayed here for three. When we told Dildora (sorry if I got the spelling wrong) that we had to leave at 6 AM for a tour of Kolsai Lake & Charyn Canyon and would miss breakfast, she arranged sandwiches, fruit, water, and yogurt for us to take along. She spoke very good English. Most of the staff did too, apart from a couple of people in the restaurant, so getting by was easy. We had a great time and I'd happily recommend the hotel for its comfortable rooms, breakfast, and price.

We checked out without staying even an hour. The room was very cold, and when we asked reception to send an engineer, we were told to try setting the fan to 30 degrees ourselves. That didn't help. On calling again, the receptionist offered a portable heater, but the wheel was broken and it still didn't warm the room. We were already disappointed that nobody had told us before check-in that the Wi-Fi and TV weren't working anywhere in the hotel. When I went down to check out, the receptionist didn't ask why or how the stay had been. I explained the problems, and she said in a very bad attitude that she'd tell the front office manager. There was no apology. A really disappointing experience.

The location made it easy to get around Almaty, with shops and restaurants nearby and the Arbat area and Golden Square within easy reach. It worked well as a base for business or sightseeing, and the price felt like good value. I found the room comfortable, with a good bed, a spotless bathroom, and a well-planned layout. The big windows brought in lots of daylight and gave us a nice city view. The whole place felt clean and modern, and staff were welcoming and professional from arrival. Check-in was quick and easy. Breakfast was another strong point: fresh, filling, and varied, with local choices as well as eggs, pastries, fruit, and good coffee. The area stayed clean and well managed even when it got busy. I had a fantastic stay at Holiday Inn Express Almaty and would stay there again.