Kazakhstan
This NGO runs one of Kazakhstan’s longest-running community tourism programs, with comfortable homestays in houses with hot showers and good local meals…
Must-see hotels in Kazakhstan
Almaty
The rooms at Almaty's most luxurious hotel are suitably sumptuous but surprisingly understated and decked out in neutral shades. The Olympic-sized…
Shymkent
This showstopper five-star hotel is Shymkent's answer to the Ritz. Expect plenty of marble, a stunning atrium with soaring golden eagles and Golden Man…
Shymkent
This little gem 2km west of the centre has just a handful of rooms, all individually and pleasingly designed with features like half-timbering and exposed…
Kazakhstan
Used by Outfitter KZ but welcoming any guests, this friendly Kazakh lady and her hospitable family put up visitors in comfortable rooms and feeds them…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
The pick of Nur-Sultan's hostels comes with a wonderful roof terrace, featuring panoramic views of the city. The two dorms are gender-segregated, there's…
Turkestan
One of the two best sleeping options, the Edem has pleasant rooms with wood-and-wrought-iron beds and cane furnishings. Thoughtful touches like lamps…
Shymkent
With its individually decorated rooms and friendly, incredibly helpful, English-speaking host Albina, this hostel gets rave reviews from backpackers. The…
Almaty
This three-storey house on the outskirts of the city hides one of the country's best hostels. The warm welcome from the owner makes guests feel like…
Almaty
Vying for the title of 'Almaty's Top Hostel', this friendly place has earned a steady stream of guests for its pop-arty decor, helpful English-speaking…
Almaty
The cheaper rooms in this efficient, sparkling-clean hotel on a quiet lane off Zhibek Zholy are the best value at this price level. Desk staff speak…
Kazakhstan
The favourite of Western business-folk, the metallic, contemporary Renaissance provides very comfy, brightly decorated, well-equipped rooms, plus a great…
Kazakhstan
In Tulkibas, 18km west of Zhabagly village, amiable, English-speaking Misha offers homestay accommodation with good meals in his simple family home with…
Zhenja & Lyuda’s Boarding House
Kazakhstan
This cosy guesthouse-cum-small-hotel on Zhabagly’s main street has rooms with two comfy single beds and private bathroom, and vegetarian meals can be…
Kazakhstan
Run by a Kazakh-Dutch family, Ruslan has six good rooms at their main house in the village, and four twin-bed rooms in a lovely country property on the…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
This friendly, well-kept little hostel in the old city is unsigned and hard to find, so contact them ahead of arrival. It offers spacious four- and six…
Kazakhstan
The health resort of Rakhmanovskie Klyuchi nestles in a mountain valley, 30km up a track from Berel village, and offers the Altay's cosiest accommodation…
Kazakhstan
Kokshebel is a well-built, well-run hotel with attractive pine-wooded grounds stretching down to the lakeshore (with private beach) at the west end of…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
The abode of choice for many Western business and official visitors, the three-towered Radisson provides the expected comfort and professional service…
Almaty
A classy business-oriented hotel with more reasonable rates than most competitors, the Rahat boasts two good restaurants, a spa as well as a fitness…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
Ideally placed for the exploration of attractions in the new part of town, this gleaming circular tower is just around the corner from the Bayterek…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
Popular with solo travellers and with a very helpful owner, Nomad occupies a modern, clean apartment with a good kitchen and sitting area, a mixed eight…
Kazakhstan
Still the best central hotel, the 'Gasman' is a modern, 21-room affair with good, carpeted rooms boasting paintings, international TV channels and bath…
Almaty
Contemporary art and beguiling carpeting are welcome splashes of colour at this intimate hotel in the centre of the city. The young, English-speaking…
Almaty
This hostel is one of the best in town. It's certainly the most spacious, with large rooms and a good outdoor area with a sociable atmosphere. All rooms,…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
As much a guesthouse as a hotel, this small, family-run establishment on a quiet street is as close as you'll get to the left-bank attractions at midrange…
Almaty
Helpful multi-lingual staff, balconies from which to observe the city and power showers are some of the boons at this friendly hotel. Rooms are mid-sized…
Eco-Park Charyn Canyon Tourist Complex
Kazakhstan
On the banks of the Charyn River, at the bottom of the Valley of Castles, the only lodgings in the Charyn Canyon consist of some basic bamboo huts on…
Almaty
This glitzy high-rise is the lodging of choice for many foreign business-folk. It has plenty of five-star amenities, including four restaurants, a classy…
Kazakhstan
One of the nicest places in town is the Hotel Pushkin, restored and furnished by an Italian company, with impressionist paintings adorning its walls. It…
Kazakhstan
This attractive, well-run hotel provides cosy, solidly comfy rooms (that could be dragged into the 21st century, ideally) with nice big white bath-tubs…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
The building is a modern, 10-storey glass cylinder but the inside has an elegant air, with chandeliers, patterned marble floor and sizeable, comfortable…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
Well-located for train-station access and within easy reach of attractions in the old part of town, this friendly business hotel is part of a local…
Almaty
This large, friendly hostel represents the best value when it comes to a supercentral stay near the Green Market and Panfilov Park. The private rooms have…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
There's excellent service at this seven-room hotel, with staff going out of their way to be helpful. Decor is somewhat reminiscent of old-world European…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
Cosy little hotel, tucked away down a little side street. Staff are very helpful (though not much English spoken), and the compact, spotless en suites…
Kazakhstan
Hikers are allowed to camp wild in the Kolsai Lakes National Park and around Lake Kaiyndy and it's difficult to think of more picturesque spots to bed…
Kazakhstan
Silk Way has a friendly, English-speaking reception, small gym and spacious, impeccable, well-equipped, if bland, rooms. Staff can find a driver for you…
Almaty
The Uyut has a traditionally ornate decor, and is a welcoming and, as its name translates, cosy place to hang your head. Rooms are decked out in earthy…
Kazakhstan
This excellent modern hotel overlooking the Ulba has sober but tasteful and very comfy rooms, with shiny silk cushions and bedspreads, plus two bars, two…
