Rixos Almaty

The airline arranged my stay at Rixos Almaty after my flight was cancelled, and it was a pleasant surprise. I especially enjoyed unwinding in the lounge after a long day. The hotel feels calm and premium, and the food was a highlight, with both good quality and variety. It’s a huge property, with an impressive layout and well-kept shared areas that give it a grand feel. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The interiors are a little dated, but everything was clean and cared for, so it didn’t affect my stay. I was happy with the hospitality and would recommend it for a short visit or transit.

Meruert at reception was kind, friendly, and warmly welcoming. Her professionalism made me feel at home and well looked after. The helpful staff were a bright spot during my lengthy stay. The hotel may look fancy and high standard at first, but for the price, I found it a big rip off and nowhere near worth the money. The rooms were shabby, appliances were broken or falling apart, the bathroom kept flooding after a shower, and the carpets smelled bad and were covered in stains. It seems the current ownership and management are trying to get every penny out without investing in overdue room maintenance.

The spa and the lobby musicians were the only parts that left us with a good impression. The piano and violin were actually amazing and worth a visit. Google recommended this as family friendly, but it felt like a business hotel, with no facilities for kids. We arrived at 2am to a beautiful lobby and nice architecture, though maintenance seemed lacking. The only receptionist looked disoriented and unwelcoming. The corridors had old carpets, and the rooms we saw were dirty, with shabby furniture and badly discolored carpets covered in huge stains. There was hair and pubic hair in the bathroom, and black mold came out of the nooks and crannies and floated in the tub when we filled it. The receptionists were even more stern and unapproachable the next morning. Breakfast was plain, and the fruit and vegetables looked old and dried out. Shame on the Rixos name. I never expected such a terrible experience from the brand.

Really comfy stay in Almaty. The atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant, and I’d recommend it if you’re after somewhere to unwind. Everything felt top-notch, and I don’t think you’ll regret booking.