Golden Palace Hotel Almaty — Hotel in Almaty

I have had multiple negative interactions with Golden Palace Hotel since March of this year. It's possible that it's been bad luck, but when these things keep on happening again and again, it seems like overall it's a poorly run place.

In March of this year I ordered a taxi from GP to pick up a guest who was going to be staying there and paid in full before his arrival. I find out the next day that there was no one to meet him at the airport, and he had to find his own way to the city. This would have been acceptable if I had not expressly told him that there would be someone waiting for him at int'l arrivals to take him to the hotel. I came back and had to wait until a manager appeared in order to receive my money back. Also, all the necessary flight information was taken down - arrival time, from where, flight number, and it was given to the driver right after I booked it in person.

I had the opportunity to stay at the hotel in October of this year. While overall the experience was satisfactory (the breakfast is great, and the rooms are comfortable) the staff, management tend to merely nod their heads and not do a thing if a guest has an issue. The first thing that happened was a drunken (most likely) man was on the 5th floor of the hotel screaming out loud, slamming himself against doors - did anything happen? Did security come to see the guy out? Nope. In all the time I've been there it doesn't seem like there is such a concept as security. At one point, the man even pushed himself into my door. Did I mention that this was happening at 4 am?

Another, not nearly as life-threatening incident, was the absurdly poor wi-fi on the 5th floor which is advertised as included along with breakfast. I talked, called to the reception at least 4-5 times during the course of my stay (stay was for five nights). Each time, my complaint about the wifi was meant with "Oh it's being fixed," to "check later" to "are you using the right password?" Ultimately was anything done? Of course not. It seemed like they were merely waiting for me to leave so they could avoid doing anything at all.

Today was my latest and most frustrating experience. 1 week ago I had gone to the hotel to make a reservation. I come back today to change it slightly, and to make a down payment for the reservation. It turns out that no reservation was ever made, even though I had a real-life conversation with a guy at reception, and the manager tells me that it can't be that I came here and made the reservation since it's not in the system. The guy (new?) at reception tries to make another booking, but then talks with the head of the place who then tells me that everything is booked due to Universiade at that time.

To be honest I am sick of trying to work with you people. Every interaction has been plagued with astounding incompetence or a laziness matched by few slugs. I will definitely not be having guests stay at your establishment or recommending it to anyone ever...

I really wanted to like this place. I booked Golden Palace based on the high ratings, but unfortunately, it just didn’t live up to the hype.

The staff were not friendly or helpful. We were only given one room key and they wouldn’t give us a second, which was super inconvenient. The air conditioning barely worked, and when it’s hot outside, the room gets uncomfortable quickly.

We also ran out of toilet paper in the morning. I went downstairs around 9 a.m. to ask for more, and they told me someone would bring it at 10. We didn’t get it until 2 p.m. I still don’t understand why they couldn’t just hand me a roll right then.

To make things worse, housekeeping walked into our room while I was in the shower — no knock, no warning. That felt like a serious lack of respect for privacy.

There were also bugs in the room, which was a major turn-off. The rooms are spacious but pretty outdated, and honestly don’t match the price or the online photos.

The hallway near our room had a window that people constantly used to smoke. Because of that, it smelled like smoke all the time — not great when you’re trying to relax.

On top of that, there were no lights in the stairwell at night. I had to use my phone flashlight just to get down safely.

Breakfast was also disappointing. It’s from 7–9 a.m. but if you show up closer to 9, expect most of the food to be gone and not restocked.

I’ve stayed in plenty of budget hotels and even hostels with way better service. I hate leaving a negative review but this hotel really doesn’t deserve the rating it has. Wouldn’t...

A Step Back in Time: Unique Charm Meets Dilapidation.

This hotel offers a distinctly unique experience, transporting you back in time with its vintage charm. The picturesque surroundings and well-maintained exterior create a positive first impression. However, stepping inside the rooms reveals a different story.

The accommodations themselves are undeniably outdated. Worn carpets and dilapidated bathrooms, with questionable cleanliness, significantly detract from the overall comfort and hygiene. These aspects are crucial for any hotel stay, and their neglect falls short of even basic expectations.

Despite the drawbacks within the rooms, the customer service deserves praise. The staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely helpful, making every effort to ensure a pleasant stay.

Transportation options, however, pose a significant challenge. The hotel's location, while beautiful, is poorly served by public transport. This can be a major inconvenience for travelers who rely on readily available transportation.

In conclusion, this hotel caters to those seeking a unique and historical experience, but be prepared for significant drawbacks in terms of room quality and limited accessibility. For those prioritizing modern amenities, comfort, and convenient location, alternative options might be...