I had a ~22 hour layover in Almaty, as I was arriving from Incheon at 4:45PM, and departing the following day to Astana at 2:30PM. Almaty doesn’t have that many major hotel chains, so after carefully reviewing the options I decided to book the Ritz-Carlton Almaty, which seems to be the best hotel in the…
Continue reading: Review: Ritz-Carlton Almaty
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I could be mistaken, but in the photo, it appears there's a blind that can be used to cover the window between the bedroom and main bath. I'd consider that sufficient, given that I've stayed in many properties without either a blind or a second toilet.
From your photo captioned "Ritz-Carlton Almaty suite bathroom view" there appears to be some kind of curtain-like thing that could be pulled down - did it not work?
You really need to learn how to travel better. You paid $250 to stay in a western chain when awesome Airbnb's there are $50. Plus you ate your meals in the club lounge.
There is a blind for the bathroom window...
Did you book the room through Ford?
Good job going to a fascinating new country and wasting your life by spending it in a completely blah chain hotel and eating lounge stuff.
This has to be one of the saddest posts I've read.
@Tyler You really don't understand the demographic that Ben is mostly reviewing for do you? It ain't the AirBnB crowd.
On the hand Ben, please tell me you at least left the hotel to explore Almaty a little? I mean, how many more times in your life do you expect to be in Kazakhstan?
It's funny how almost every time Ben does a hotel review, there are idiots that comment about how he doesn't know how to travel right because he stays in chain hotels and eats at the club lounge. What's puzzling is that these idiots don't understand that it's Ben's job to review chain hotels and part of that includes reviewing the restaurants and club lounges. It's like someone telling an accountant that they suck at their job for using a calculator and a spreadsheet and instead should be making sales calls to doctors.
I am so sick of the airbnb cultists. Hey! A lot of us don't want to shack-up in some stranger's spare room! We love a stay in a fine hotel. We love the concierge, the 24 hour room service, the perfectly made vodka gimlet in the swanky hotel bar, the twice a day housekeeping.
It's great that the @Tylers of the world love airbnb. That sort of travel suits them. Fine. They just need to spare us their bizarre feeling of smug superiority.
@Tyler you have no idea what you are doing here. I think you are reading the wrong blog
Yeah....I have nothing against airbnb but I would not stay in an apartment that is used by the owner..that is just disturbing on some level. My recent trip back ot Canada I would not get anything decent in terms of hotels so I decided to spring for Condos/Apartments In Montreal/Ottawa they were professionally managed by a company that also advertises on airbnb.. in Toronto I went for an airbnb which was owner managed but not occupied... I love that sort of place the amenities of a condo.. when I cannot get a good hotel rate I'd rather go for that.
And people saying crap and telling someone where he/she should stay should get a life...
The whole point of my post was that in this situation staying at a western chain and paying a ridiculous premium is a waste. It's only a Tier 1 so points would have even been a better option, but alas that would mean Ben would've needed to eat outside the hotel and actually experience something.
In those kind of countries where the offer of chain / premium hotels are not that big the prices are always proportionally higher. Check kiev for exemple Hyatt regency / Hilton and intercontinental has a kind of agreement and average price for the cheaper room is 350usd. Not chocking at all because it's very specific to those markets in emerging countries.
Regarding room / living room and lounge.... Nothing amazing to me. Suite looks quite classic and lounge nothing better than the average Hyatt regency or Hilton in Europe.
Regarding the level of the lounge they should grant access to platinum because it's nothing more than a good Sheraton or le meridien lounge. Was in a Hilton in Istanbul (bomonti) last week and the suite was 10 times better + lounge much more classy and with better food selection for sure.
@Tyler: The best analysis I've seen of AirBNB is that it's, "a disruptive business model in the same way pervasive mediocrity is disruptive."
I'll take the Ritz anyday. They won't allow cancelling my 1 month reservation the day before I arrive.
On the other hand, if you are 18-30, and relatively good-looking, couch surfing is a great way to have free sex. I've been told that, and wouldn't know for sure because I was never 18-30.
@ Tyler. Ur absolute idiot. If you cannot afford to stay in such place then keep your mouth shut. No one asked you to read this post. There are some people who appreciate his works and efforts and for me, i would have no chance going and stay at that property myself so having a detailed review gives me a good insight of how the property is. Why dont you just go back and stay at your favourite ABNB.
Hello, Ben. Thank you for such a gorgeous post. You have included so many photos in it. I have never seen any travel guides that provide readers with so many detailed photos. Usually, only three or four photos are posted. You made a great work.
I have visited Hotel Ritz Carlton Almaty twice. First time, I was invited at the hotel for a wedding. Thus, I had no opportunity to see its room, bathrooms, and other details. For the second time, I visited Ritz Amaty during my business trip. I spent nearly 2 weeks at the hotel. To be honest, the hotel is amazingly luxurious. The hotel staff does it best to satisfy its clients. However, it is not free from the negative sides you have mentioned in this article.
Again thanks, for the review!
@Tyler,
"...staying at a western chain and paying a ridiculous premium is a waste."
Kid - that may well be your opinion and financial situation and that's fine, but I can assure you that as someone who regularly stay at Ritz properties for both business and pleasure, I appreciate the detailed reports of my favorite chain, even if the city is not on my radar in the near future.
As a side note - Ben's job is hopping around reviewing five star properties - there are plenty of places that review AirBNB and hostels, those might be right up your alley...
@lovetosoendit. I was at the same Hilton. Neither the suite nor the lounge was not nearly as nice as the Ritz. You're dreaming.
Look, to me, Ben is not a traveller. Ben reviews airlines and hotels. And as much as I want hear about Almaty and as much as I was dying to read much more about Sardinia, I'm not going to get that here. I know that.
Ben does a great job at what he does (with a few quibbles here and there
Lol, $40 from the airport?! You got robbed! I paid about $5 (though I admit you went in a little more style)! I can see the apartment I stayed in from one of the pictures you took. I will check this place out next time I go, however the price is steep!
Ben you should have made yourself a favour visiting the rooftop bar. Amazing views of Almaty (albeit probably not very different from your suite), amazing cocktails and alcohol selection.
Also, 40USD for the cab is really a rob. You'd expect to pay 10USD today (in 2025), and back then it was probably 5