The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty — Hotel in Almaty

We’ve been fortunate to stay in dozens of the finest hotels on six continents, from St. Regis to Leading Hotels of the World, from ice hotels to palace hotels. And we can now add to that the Ritz-Carlton Almaty, a true world class luxury hotel. Capping off a trip to the Great Silk Road, we spent our anniversary with some of the kindest and most generous hospitality professionals we have ever met anywhere.||The hotel is physically stunning, occupying Floors 20-30 in one of the tallest buildings in Almaty, affording sweeping views of the city and mountains from every window. The public spaces are sleek and art filled. Our only tiny bobble was at check-in, where we learned that the hotel is not overly generous with Titanium upgrades; however, we had the good fortune to speak with Monette, who sorted things out and moved us to a Grand Suite. Grand it was – the shower alone was the size of a small bedroom! ||Our arrival day was our anniversary and champagne and cake was waiting for us in the suite, compliments of management. We had a spectacular dinner at Seven, on the 28th floor of the hotel. Our table was strewn with rose petals, the cellist serenaded us (OK, he serenaded all the diners) and Veuve Clicquot was sent to the table, this time compliments of the restaurant staff. Dinner itself was Michelin worthy and could have been served in the finest restaurants in any European capital. The breakfast buffet was hands down the most extensive we have ever seen – we’re talking stations upon stations of food, organized by geographic region and covering the globe.||But for all of that, as I said at the beginning, it is the hotel staff that stood out even among all this glamor, and among other great hotels. My wife had gotten food poisoning in Bishkek and it broke after our anniversary dinner. Sadly, she spent the next two days in the suite trying to get back to herself before a very long flight home. While I was out on a city tour, I called back to see how she was doing and word got out within the hotel that my wife was not feeling well. When I got back from the tour, she jokingly told me she couldn’t even take a nap because there was a procession of ginger tea and other palliatives that kept being delivered to her, each one accompanied by gifts – we’re talking a box of teas with a set of tea cups, a Kazakh hat, another bottle of wine, another cake, chocolate bars and various souvenirs. This went on for the two full days she stayed back.||Did I also mention that upon check-in we were provided a voucher for a pizza and beverage, which we used on our final night at Vista, the hotel’s more casual eatery, before a middle-of-the night flight home? We’re talking truffle pizza that had us dreaming of Italy and a rather good local Riesling that, while not quite Alsace, was more than impressive for Central Asia. ||No truer words can be said of the wonderful team here than Ritz Carlton’s founding principle that they are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen. There were so many ladies and gentlemen that we could not possibly remember them all by name. We just want to thank each of them for one of the most memorable...

As a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium member who stays over 100 nights per year across various hotels in the network, I typically encounter exemplary service that reflects the high standards of the brand. Unfortunately, my recent experience at Ritz Carlton Almaty was a stark departure from these expectations, marking it as the first and only Marriott property worldwide where I felt compelled to cancel my reservation upon check-in.

After a stay in Shanghai at three different Marriott hotels, including the W, where I received complimentary extra beds and room upgrades without request, my expectations were understandably high. Upon arriving in Almaty for a two-day visit, I booked a twin room at the Ritz Carlton, a hotel I had previously praised and reviewed positively.

Anticipating a potential upgrade to a suite, I had proactively contacted the hotel a day in advance to arrange for an additional bed in the living room for a second guest—a common practice at Marriott properties worldwide, including in Dubai, Shanghai, and Barcelona, without any issues or costs. However, to my surprise, the Ritz Carlton Almaty requested an additional fee for the extra bed, despite already charging premium rates for their rooms. This fee for a basic amenity, typically complimentary across the Marriott network, was unexpected and inconsistent with the full-service ethos the hotel purports to uphold.

Upon my late evening arrival, after my co-guest had already been accommodated with the additional bed, I was informed at check-in that the extra bed charge was included in my bill. Despite my previous communications with the hotel, which I believed had resolved the issue, the staff, particularly a second receptionist who joined the conversation, addressed the situation in a surprisingly confrontational manner. I was given an ultimatum: either move to a lower category room with two beds or have the extra bed removed.

Exhausted from travel and expecting a seamless check-in at what was supposed to be the best hotel in the city, I found this interaction extremely disappointing. I decided to cancel my booking and immediately relocated to a different hotel where I received a complimentary upgrade and the requested extra bed at no additional charge.

This experience at Ritz Carlton Almaty was not only an anomaly in my extensive history with Marriott but also a significant disappointment. It’s disheartening to encounter such unwelcoming service and a rigid attitude at a property that positions itself as a leader in hospitality, especially towards a loyal guest. This was a first in my travels with Marriott, where the usual standard is to accommodate and appreciate loyal patrons, not...

If you are searching for a definitive sign to book your stay in Almaty, look no further than the Ritz Carlton. As a seasoned traveler who has experienced over 30 Marriott brands worldwide, I can confidently say that the Ritz Carlton Almaty surpasses them all in every aspect. From their exceptional service to their luxurious amenities, this hotel left an indelible mark on our hearts.

The staff at the Ritz Carlton Almaty truly went above and beyond to ensure our stay was extraordinary. Their promptness and anticipation of our needs were unparalleled. During my visit, I fell ill, and to my astonishment, they sent me an entire pot of honey and tea, a small gesture that spoke volumes about their dedication to guest satisfaction.

While the Ritz Carlton Almaty might be priced on the higher end, every penny is justified by the level of service and the wealth of amenities they provide. The hotel's convenient location near a mall, Starbucks, and popular tourist attractions added immense value to our stay, making it all the more enjoyable.

The rooms at this hotel are a testament to modern luxury. Equipped with state-of-the-art amenities such as electric curtains, heated floors, and shower benches, the rooms offered a level of comfort and convenience that exceeded our expectations. It was evident that no detail was overlooked in crafting these lavish accommodations.

Before our visit, we had read some reviews mentioning that the hotel did not honor elite status. However, this was not the case during our stay. The staff at Ritz Carlton Almaty, treated us with utmost hospitality and honored our elite status, further enhancing our experience.

I would like to give a special shoutout to some of the exceptional staff members who made our stay even more memorable. Zhakisbek, with his extensive knowledge of Almaty, recommended the best things to do and places to visit, allowing us to truly immerse ourselves in the city's culture. Huru, who taught us about the exquisite Almaty deserts and the local culture, always greeted us with a radiant smile, making us feel truly welcomed. Rufat, the Terrace Restaurant Attendant, who curated the most delightful cocktail recommendations, making our evenings at the hotel even more enjoyable.

Definitely the epitome of excellence in...