The best hotels in Kazakhstan

This small local hotel sits a short walk from Al-Farabi Square in central Shymkent. Rooms are basic but clean, with functioning air conditioning which matters in the southern heat. The staff speaks limited English but makes genuine efforts to help. Breakfast is included and surprisingly filling. Good starting point if you are exploring the south of Kazakhstan on a tight budget.

The hotel sits near the Ural River embankment in central Atyrau, which is a practical location for getting around the oil city. Rooms are dated but kept clean and the beds are comfortable enough. Atyrau is not a tourist hub, so prices here are lower than you might expect for the quality on offer. The restaurant on the ground floor serves decent Kazakh food. Ideal for workers or travelers passing through the western region.

This hotel occupies a prime spot on the Left Bank near the Presidential Palace and the Khan Shatyr entertainment center. The rooms are spacious and well-furnished with views toward the futuristic Astana skyline. The spa and indoor pool are a genuine draw during the brutal winters. Service is polished and the staff handles both business guests and tourists smoothly. Book a room facing the boulevard for the most dramatic city views.

The Hilton sits on Al-Farabi Avenue in the upmarket Medeu district, with the Tian Shan mountains visible from upper-floor rooms. Rooms follow the reliable Hilton standard with good blackout curtains and fast wifi. The rooftop bar attracts both guests and locals on weekends and has strong views across the city. The gym is well-equipped and open late. One of the most consistent options in Almaty for business travelers.

Ramada Aktobe is located on Aiteke Bi Street close to the main commercial area of this western Kazakhstan city. The rooms are modern and well-maintained by local standards, with reliable hot water and good climate control. This is a transit city for many travelers heading between Russia and Central Asia, and the hotel handles that mix of guests well. The breakfast buffet is generous with both European and Kazakh options. Staff at the front desk speak reasonable English.

This hotel is positioned within walking distance of the Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the main reason most visitors come to Turkestan. Rooms are modern and clean, built as part of the city's recent redevelopment push. The design incorporates local tilework and patterns which gives it more character than a generic chain. Dining options on-site lean toward Kazakh traditional dishes. Rates are reasonable given the quality and proximity to the main attraction.

Rixos Borovoe sits directly on the shore of Lake Burabay inside the national park, roughly three hours north of Astana. The setting is dramatic, with pine forests, rock formations, and clear water surrounding the property. Rooms are large and luxurious, and the lake-facing suites are worth every extra dollar spent. The resort has its own beach, multiple pools, and outdoor activities organized year-round including skiing in winter. It functions as an all-inclusive escape and is the premier leisure resort in all of Kazakhstan.

Ibis Astana sits on the Right Bank near the train station and the old part of the city. The hotel does exactly what Ibis always does, clean compact rooms, reliable wifi, and no-fuss service. Families traveling with children find it easy to manage given the straightforward layout and ground-floor access. It is a more affordable alternative to the bigger flagship hotels on the Left Bank. The location gives decent access to both the old and new parts of Astana.

Hotel Dostyk is a long-standing institution on Kurmangazy Street in the Almaly district, close to the Green Bazaar and the central park. The rooms have been renovated in recent years and now offer a good balance of classic style and modern comfort. The central garden courtyard is unusually quiet for a city-center property. The restaurant serves some of the better European-Kazakh fusion food you will find in town. Booking the garden-facing rooms is worth the small extra cost.

The Ritz-Carlton occupies the upper floors of the Esentai Tower, the tallest building in Almaty, on Al-Farabi Avenue in the city's most affluent district. Views of the Tian Shan mountains from the upper rooms are genuinely spectacular and change completely between seasons. The spa is the best in the city with a full-service treatment menu and a beautiful pool. Restaurant options inside the hotel include a strong sushi counter and a formal European dining room. If you are going to spend on one night in Kazakhstan, this is where it makes sense.