It's hard to review the Intercontinental because this is a straight-down-the line middle grade four star property which has countless lookalikes across the world. Averagely nice bedrooms, averagely large bathrooms, averagely pleasant staff, it would fit the Hilton/IC/Marriott/Sofitel standard model anywhere in the world. What perhaps does make it remarkable is that it does all this in Kazakhstan, not a location noted for fine cuisine, dedicated customer service, or natural good taste in interiors. For achieving all these things, the Intercontinental deserves high praise. This was my second visit of the year and I noticed only a slight fall in service standards: early check-in and non-smoking rooms were both 'unavailable' on arrival, although they did manage to find a non-smoking king at 2pm after declaring the hotel totally full, which it patently wasn't. I ate once in the Belvedere Restaurant on the 10th floor, although my colleagues and I were the only diners, excellent views over the city and very well-presented and reasonably cooked 'international' cuisine with some flair and very charming service. Like most other things in this hotel, internationally expensive too since it knows almost all its customers are on business. Breakfast buffet, as some other reviewers have suggested, is very comprehensive - European, American, Japanese and Kazakh dishes are attractively presented, but there's no freshly squeezed juice and not having even tea or coffee served to the table means you have to work a bit harder than in some five-star properties. Make sure you negotiate a rate including the buffet, it's an expensive addition - and don't order it as room service because it may be charged separately even if you have breakfast in your rate.

The Intercontinental was formerly the Regent Ankara (also listed) and as the Regent, an excellent hotel in its own right, was nearly always full, I couldn't understand the reasoning behind bringing-in the Intercon people to manage it. But I have to say that the difference in the 18 months or so since Intercon took over, has been startling. Nothing really major, just a few dozen small, but noticable improvements in the decor, ammeneties, menus and presumably, staff training, that combine to major effect. I'm a lazy and inexperienced reviewer, so here's my short, but important 'B' list, each item on which can be prefixed by Great: Beds, Bathroom, Breakfast, Bar and Business centre. And the staff seem to compete, each vyeing to be the most helpful person you're likely to meet during your day.

Its a business trip hotel. I will probably not like to stay there for my holidays. But what I enjoy is the hospitality and that people remember you when you come back. Rooms Rooms are spacious, bed extremely comfortable. Bathroom always clean and in marble. They provide you with all small toilettery things you forgot to take with you (or had to abandon at London airport). Though I hate the air conditioner which makes the air in the room extremely dry. Strangely you cannot open the window, and you have to negotiate it for an hour with the reception. Dining Amazing breakfast: he breakfast is a buffet, and I particularly adore their omelettes. I am not an omelettes addicted, but the girl who prepare them does it with such dedication, that I am looking forward to going back there only for her creations. Limited dinner: There is one main restaurant there (or at least only one opened every time I come) and thus I would recommend to go out for dinner. During summer time, the hotel organises dinner outside in the garden. Spa The spa is lovely. There is a space for sun tanning outside, if you manage to find a free minute in your schedules. I went to the hair saloon a couple of times. Its not chic, but they do their job well at affordable prices. My main criticism is that there is no way to get the cash out of your card and put it on your bill (something that other hotels can provide you with).

I first stayed at this hotel in 2001. It was a refuge then and still is now. Staff are warm and helpful. Have been forced to stay at other hotels in Almaty when this hotel was booked out, but really the others just can't compare. Will gladly pay the extra that it costs to stay there...its worth every cent.

I stayed at the Intercontinental Almaty during 3 nights in October 2007. While the stay was rather pleasant, I found a disappointing surprise when I returned home. My stay at the hotel was pre-paid with a corporate card from my company. As usual, when I arrived at the hotel, I gave my personal credit card only to guarantee any extra consumption. However, when I returned home, I found that the price of the room was charged to my personal credit card even though my stay had already been paid before arrival at the hotel. I am still struggling with the reservation offices in Almaty but I haven't found any satisfactory response yet. As a consequence of that, I now have a US$ 1500 charge in my credit card and the hotel does not want to reimburse the money. This is an error in the reservations department of the hotel. If a hotel does not know how to make a reservation what would you expect about the rest? I wouldn't even expect this mistake in a hostel. Even less in a hotel that charges US$ 500 per night.