Hotel Zhetisu

This is not a place that lifts the spirits, and reception may pretend the rooms with shared bathroom don't exist, and it's a good idea to unplug the phone to avoid middle-of-the-night calls from prostitutes. But the location is pretty central and the rooms are clean, reasonably big and equipped with satellite TV. Rates include breakfast. In-house services include a one-computer 'business centre' and a travel agency.

Trolleybus Nos 5 and 6 from Almaty-II station along Abylay Khan go past the door.