Mountain View Residence Almaty

The room was large, with a sofa, kitchen, and bathtub, but it felt dated and badly in need of renovation. The bed sat uncomfortably low, the side lights seemed to move by themselves, paint was peeling and cracking, and we could hear noise from the hallway. WiFi kept cutting in and out. The TV only had Russian news channels, with no way to change channels or watch things like YouTube. Breakfast choices were limited, though decent. They also charged 200 tenge for each extra bottle of water, since the daily supply is only two bottles. Even with all that, we had a better stay here than at the other place we tried in Almaty, and the central location is excellent, close to popular sights like Almaty Cathedral and several Starbucks. Staff were friendly, gave us complimentary fruit for our anniversary, and the jacuzzi, sauna, and gym were nice. I'd give it four stars, though the rooms need a serious update.

We spent three days here in Almaty and booked an apartment with a kitchen and living room. It was spacious, neat, and lavish. The central location made it easy to reach the main attractions, and the supermarkets and other shops in the building opposite were very convenient. Breakfast was just okay, with limited choices, and the staff were helpful. There are two small pools, one heated and one at normal temperature, as well as a sauna, steam bath area, and gym.

We chose the apartment suite, with a kitchenette, living room, and bathroom with a tub. It was roomy, and the living room and little balcony had mountain views. There were no blackout curtains, though, so the sun woke us at 5:30 AM even when we wanted to sleep. That needs fixing for guest comfort. As vegetarians we could have bread and fruit salad at breakfast, but everything baked contained eggs. Breakfast runs from 7-10 am. During our stay, ownership changed from Renion to Mountain View Residence. We were refunded and paid again, which meant conversion charges twice, but the manager adjusted things for us. That was fair of them. I also wish breakfast included whole wheat and sourdough bread instead of only white bread, so tourists could start the day healthier. I'd recommend the hotel for its gracious staff and its location, with markets, sights, and shopping within 1-2 kms.

The staff were really friendly and even arranged a free late checkout for us. Rooms are large, clean, and have everything we needed, with enough space for a family of 2+2. There are lots of food shops and cafes nearby, and both of Almaty's central parks are walkable.