Absolute Hotel

There weren't any appliances for making tea, coffee, or hot water, just thermoses, and the breakfast wasn't the English breakfast I was used to getting in hotels. Still, the rooms are a good size for the price, and the staff are really friendly and hospitable. They speak good English, shared useful tips for getting around Astana and enjoying the nightlife, and easily upgraded us to corner rooms.

The reception staff were extremely helpful, and check-in was fine. Breakfast was okay, and room service seemed okay too. The room was clean and good, but needs renovation: cold air came in through a gap between the door and the floor. The heating was okay. The bathroom was okay, though a few lights didn't work. Early check-in costs 50% of a day's rent. It was okay overall and I'd recommend it, but it doesn't quite meet a 4-star hotel's standard.

The area felt safe, but there was nothing around, and getting anywhere meant at least a 10-minute cab ride. The hotel sits somewhere between the main station and the city. I booked a duplex but was given an ordinary room without an explanation, which I accepted. The air-conditioning kept shutting off after a few minutes, even after someone came to fix it. I was exhausted after a long flight and asked to change or upgrade rooms, but the receptionist showed no interest. She said all the duplex rooms were full and it could only be dealt with the next morning. The room itself was spacious, the bed comfortable as usual, and the WiFi worked well. Breakfast is free, but don't expect much. You can only get water in the room when the cafe is open, so there won't be bottled water at night. The unhelpful staff and unhappy check-in took two stars off what otherwise deserves four.

A clean hotel with nice staff and a good base for sightseeing. Breakfast was poor. We were charged for 1.5 days for early check-in, arriving after 8 am instead of after 2 pm.