Interia

A nice spot to relax.

The banquet was a nightmare, and I wouldn't recommend the place. The beshbarmak was awful, with thick, sticky dough and tough meat. The lamb's head was undercooked, which embarrassed us in front of our elders, and the shelpek was so hard we nearly broke our teeth. They did everything they could to spoil the whole occasion. Management should hire Kazakh cooks or teach the Russian cooks to prepare Kazakh dishes properly. I can't put it into words.

The nice-looking facade sets you up for something better, but the inside is a bit dreadful. There was a constant kitchen smell throughout the hotel, and breakfast wasn't great. One useful feature: there's no fixed check-in or check-out time, since you pay based on your check-in time. The receptionist also reminds you about breakfast by phone, and they can bring it to your room if needed.

The waiters were polite and courteous, and the entrance was easy to access, with parking and sofas in the lobby. We went to the Interia restaurant on Abylaikhan Avenue. It's plain rather than luxurious, somewhere between a café and a restaurant. The hall we used worked well for a small gathering like a Kalzha, kudalyk, birthday, or similar event. It had three round tables, space for dancing and entertainment, and even a separate table for the Kalta show.