Hostel Forum — Hotel in Astana

This hostel is immaculate! I came to Astana from Almaty via train and requested a transfer from train station to hostel, using the hostel services (had bad luck arriving into Kazakhstan, got scammed by airport taxi driver in Almaty, I didn’t want a reoccurrence). A gentleman from the hostel contacted me via WhatsApp and made sure to pick me up on time at the train station. I felt bad given the train was arriving in Astana at 6:30am (which is, let’s admit, an ungodly hour to be awake). On the way to the hostel, I am surprised to find out my “driver”, named Rustam, is in-fact the owner of the hostel. When asked “why are YOU the one picking me up?” He candidly responded “it’s ok, I enjoy meeting the guests who stay at my hostel!”. I was taken aback by his candor and courteousness. Arrived at the hostel, which is conveniently located a few blocks from the city centre, the first thing I notice is how neatly put the place is. I stayed in a dorm (8 beds...so 4 bunk beds). There are plenty of storage space for backpackers, which is always a great thing. There was a storage space, with lock, underneath the bed as well as an additional on besides it. The bathrooms/showers are above traditional standards for Hostels (in my experience). Super clean, 2 individual showers and 3 individual washrooms (with western sit-down toilets - no need for squatting skills here! Lol). There is a communal area with a couch, kitchen and fridge. Unless I am mistaken, the hostel does not offer breakfast, however cookies, snacks and instant coffee is made available for travelers. There are no major dislikes, but my critic observations are the following (and take into consideration I was a bit ahead of tourist season in Astana, which starts mid-May I believe). The hostel wasn’t very busy, therefore very little interaction with other travelers/backpackers. Most of the patrons, during my stay end of April, appeared to be locals seeking short to midterm lodging. Also, the on-site staff is “hidden” behind a high top reception desk, which makes social interaction with staff a little difficult unless you walk up to them and interrupt them from staring at their phones or YouTube videos. Lastly, I did find that the staff in general lacked a bit of knowledge of the city itself, I remember asking a staff member about pictures I had taken of buildings in the city (what those buildings were) and she was unable to answer. I also asked her to help translating something and to my surprise her answer was “I’m sorry I don’t speak Kazakh, only Russian!”. With the exception of the owner, Rustam, I did not find the staff really helpful or sociable for that matter. That would be an area requiring improvement, but this is minor in my opinion. Lastly, for all the old-fashioned people like me, you can buy postcards at the front desk, which are generally difficult to find in Kazakhstan (I couldn’t find any in Almaty). After depleting their stock, Rustam (the owner) had some printed for me from at nearby town and sent them to me in Bishkek (the next stop on my journey), what a class act! View my criticism in a constructive fashion, for I would stay at Hostel Forum again in a heartbeat should I ever be...

I liked the location of the hostel, within walking distance from the center and everything you need to buy can be bought nearby. Very comfortable bed, large locker next to where you can put your backpack. The hostel itself is also very clean. I was also pleased with the hanger and the shelf inside the bed, in addition to the light and the socket.||The reception staff look like they don't greet at all, they settled in with such a face as if I had come for a wake. The pillow leaves much to be desired, it is impossible to sleep on it, despite the fact that the bed itself is very comfortable. The room is incredibly hot, no one opens the window because the hostel is located on the first floor. Very strange neighbors, because of which I could not sleep. At 3am, while I couldn't sleep because of the heat, they opened my curtains and said I was snoring. At this point, I was lying with the phone and said how can I snore if I'm still awake. An hour later, the situation repeated itself, and this was already told to me by another man. Are you serious? I didn’t even sleep yet and it became even more difficult to fall asleep due to the fact that it seemed to me that I was now breathing like I snore, lol. In the end, it was other man who was snoring, but common, it’s hostel...

Alexei and his team are really hospitable, friendly & helpful throughout my stay in this Hostel for 4 nights in June 2024. They answered my typical tourist queries promptly and fast! They speak conversational english so it was easy to communicate too.

Hostel is located within a housing complex and is in a safe neighbourhood. Its also within 10 mins walk to the nearest shopping mall & 30 mins walk to the Park at the river. Good location

Hostel is a mix of long-term residents + tourists. Everyone was really friendly and respectful of the hostel rules so it was quiet in the night and clean facilities. 👍🏻

Hostel has 3 convenience stores nearby, some are 24 hours. Coffee Boom is right beside the Hostel for your morning caffeine.

Safe parking for your motorcycle, there are multiple entry points with parking barrier, however you can enter via the...