I would normally do a review starting good points then leading into bad points and leave it like that. This place the 'Bad Points' are potentially life threatening. There is a live 'always on' electrical socket in the shower cubicle. The 'Fire / Emergency' exists are propped open on each floor (which would lead to spreading of smoke incase of a fire) and the stairs are obstructed with beds, mattresses, building materials. The actual fire doors were obstructed by bags of cement (photos provided). That out of the way I'll talk about 'inconveniences' the hot water is inconsistent so you cannot guarantee a hot shower when you want. If your room has a pool view - the music starts between 7 - 730am daily. If you order 'Room service' then the food is delivered uncovered, it moves from kitchen through reception, into public lift, corridor. This includes drinks. There in one door in the shower/toilet area so you can either use the toilet in private or swing the door back to form a cubicle. Before I arrived I checked the reviews and the biggest issues seemed to be breakfast. First day I understood the issue. The food was not fresh (even though I was early), sliced cheeses were old, tray bakes weren't fresh. Potato products (hash browns etc) all tasted like they were prepared the day before and reheated. The prepared eggs, sausages etc were all just warm and again looked and tasted like leftovers. I was in a party of 40, within 3 days 12 of us has food poisoning. I'm not just saying we felt poorly, an emergency doctor was called to the hotel as people were collapsing. I know people say, should have mentioned it there and then as opposed to making a review. I did. I spoke to tour organiser, reception, restaurant manager who brought out the two chefs. They first thought that we had maybe picked up the bug from outside but that wasn't possible. The group had only ate together at the breakfast. This bug spoiled the rest of my holiday and some people are still unwell (5 days later). That aside the hotel is nice, really spacious rooms but could do with some surface cleaning on the walls etc, but it's a bit isolated. You can walk about 15 minutes to 'essential mall' which has supermarket, currency exchange and some expensive restaurants. This was my first hotel in Almaty so I cannot compare to others in the country. I have however travelled to over 35 countries and this hotel is bad.
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