Tahar Hotel

The radiator stayed on and couldn’t be turned off, so even with 23 degrees outside, our tiny room reached 33. We needed a fan to sleep. We also had to pay one day at a time. Spent three nights feeling like I was in the tropics.

I keep coming back whenever I’m in Almaty. It was already clean and quiet when I first stayed a few years ago, before the renovations, and I’ve liked it ever since. The station is close enough to walk to with luggage, and getting to the airport is quick, so I don’t have to worry about missing a flight the way I would from the upper part of the city, where you need to plan around traffic. There are supermarkets just outside the courtyard, plus plenty of cafes, diners, and fast-food places nearby. The hotel is surrounded by avenues, so it’s easy to head off in any direction, and there’s a metro station close by. You can also walk to Arbat. In front of the Youth Theater there’s a big pedestrian area, with an ice rink in winter and a fountain running in summer. The staff are friendly and the rooms are very clean. I could say more, but that’s plenty.

Right in the city, with a great location. My room was clean and had its own bathroom, the staff were very helpful, and I didn’t hear much at night. No bugs either. I’d recommend it.

The room was very clean, and there are lots of restaurants nearby. It’s easy to catch a bus, too. The lobby is at the back, and the staff don’t speak English, so you’ll need to download Russian on Google Translate.