Rixos Turkistan Hotel

From the receptionist, especially Ms Qumush and Mr. Saken, to room service, the breakfast team, and restaurant staff, people were happy to help throughout the hotel. Check-in was smooth, and the breakfast had plenty of variety. This was my best hotel experience in Khazakstan.

The ladies at the Irish pub were kind and helpful, but the rest of the service was extremely unprofessional, from sales and reception to housekeeping and the spa. Reception gave us the wrong breakfast hours, so we thought it was closed and missed going while it was still open. They also gave us a birthday gift with the wrong person's name on the card, despite having both passports. It was a nice gesture, though. Housekeeping took both bathrobes and brought back just one instead of adding a second. The bed wasn't very comfortable either. At the spa, the sauna was very dry and hot, and there was no thermometer to check it.

I came for the buffet breakfast, which had a huge selection. I was disappointed they no longer had kazi, which they'd served before.

The spa was pleasant, but one of our massages was canceled at the last minute, and we were given a false explanation. One receptionist had already said there was only one masseuse. When my husband arrived, another said she was sick, even though she was standing right in front of him. He'd seen her when I had my massage earlier. The cancellation itself wasn't a huge deal, but we'd rushed back from an hour away and would have appreciated being told. If you book at the spa, I'd confirm the appointment again. The hotel was otherwise great. The bed was comfortable, the shower was great, the air conditioning worked, and the restaurant food was excellent. The staff were all smiles and helpful. There was a big chip in a shelf that they'd tried to hide behind the minibar menu, which made me laugh. Their “Irish Pub” was nothing like any Irish pub I've been to, but I found it hilarious that such a fancy, high-end place had that name. I really missed having a hot tub, which I value in a hotel. The pool and workout room were nice, though. Apart from that spa mix-up, it was a great stay. Next to the Ritz in Almaty, it's the nicest hotel we've stayed at in Kazakhstan. We stayed one night for our wedding anniversary last year.