Torgaj Hotel

It is a very nice and quiet hotel. I am not sure about all the months of the year, but when I was there (the end of May), it was perfect. Though sometimes it is possible to hear a neighbour snoring behind the wall or people walking to a cooler for some water at night, which means the walls are thin and not soundproof, nevertheless, it was really quiet. I could sleep without ear plugs at all, and usually I use them. The bed was comfortable, and very good curtains let me hide from the sun. There is a TV set on the wall, some channels are in Russian, and I found a very interesting channel with programs about culture that was in Kazakh, but it was easy to get almost everything because there were a lot of pictures, music, etc, making the narrative intuitively understandable. I could use a small fridge for food, and if you want to have some meals, they provide good and simple breakfasts in the morning approximately from 7 am till 11 am (Monday - Friday) and from 7.30 or 8 am on Saturday and Sunday. I am not sure the music they played on TV in the dining room was the best choice, but if you have a music player and headphones, it is not a problem. And on Saturday, there was a good movie for kids. Also, there is a small restaurant in this building, you can get a sort of discount voucher at the hotel reception. But in case you do not like the music or the prices (I found them expensive), there are cafes in this district. Pub Chechil is good. For vegans, it is not easy to find diversity in this part of Astana, but you will not be hungry, of course. If you want to see a new part of the city, then take a bus from the shop Dream (Мечта) near the hotel, it is a usual public transport, not an excursion, and you can see what they got across the bridge. The only thing you need to manage is paying for this ride, ask local citizens how to do it. They say the bus makes a circle and gets you back right at the same bus stop. A huge city mall is just on the other side of the street from the hotel. So if you need some souvenirs, it is possible to find a few in Eurasia. If you are a musician, I definitely can advise a little music shop in the farthest part of the building (if you come in through the entrance closest to the hotel). Walking through the ground floor, go straight forward until you see the opposite entrance and a stairway. Rising up the stairs, you will find this shop with a friendly shop assistant. She even let me play a traditional instrument, and I found more souvenirs there. If you want to buy some food, there are shops on the same side of the street where the hotel is located. Not far away from it, you can find a very small market with cheap and good fruits. If your room is on the highest floor, do not hesitate to buy a lot of fruits and whatever you like - they have an elevator in Tоргай. The staff of the hotel is very friendly, helpful, and nice. It was possible to ask them for helping at any time, and it is very much appreciated. I highly recommend this hotel!