Single Room
- 1 Single bed
Hotel · Almaty · Almaty City
Otrar
A landmark hotel on Gogol Street with a Soviet-era charm, central to Almaty's cultural sights and the Green Bazaar.
- Central location near Panfilov Park and Green Bazaar
- Historic Soviet architecture with characterful interiors
- Free Wi-Fi in rooms and on-site fitness and sauna
8
Great
686 reviews
Booking.com 8 · 686 reviews
About
Otrar
Otrar is a 4-star hotel in the heart of Almaty, set on Gogol Street. The building dates from the Soviet era and retains much of its original character—think heavy carpeting, red wood doors, and a grand lobby that feels like a rollback to the city's past. It's a 15-minute walk from the Central Mosque and a short stroll to Zhibek Zholy metro station, making it easy to explore the city on foot.
Rooms range from singles to suites, with several offering balconies and mountain views. The hotel also hosts a restaurant, a fitness centre, a sauna, and a steam room, plus practical touches like valet parking, a business centre, and 24-hour reception. While some rooms show their age, they are kept clean and comfortable, and the breakfast buffet is a highlight.
- No smoking on site
- Parking
- Safe deposit box
- 24-hour reception
- VIP check-in/ -out
- Express check-in/ -out
In brief
What works, what to weigh
+
Strengths
4 reasons to book- Central location for exploring Almaty — The hotel sits on Gogol Street, a short walk from Panfilov Park, the Green Bazaar, and the city's main attractions. Guests repeatedly note the convenience of being near restaurants, shops, and cultural sites.
- Characterful Soviet-era atmosphere — The property retains its original architecture and interior details, from the grand lobby to the traditional room furniture. Many guests appreciate this historic charm, describing it as a step back in time.
- Generous breakfast spread — The breakfast buffet is a consistent highlight, with hot and cold dishes, crepes, eggs, porridge, and traditional Kazakh tea. The breakfast room itself, with Kazakh-style rugs and ceiling paintings, adds to the experience.
- Friendly and helpful staff — Guests frequently mention the warm, professional service, from reception to restaurant staff. Several reviews note the staff went out of their way to arrange transfers or assist with requests.
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Worth weighing
4 to weigh- Rooms show their age — While clean and comfortable, the rooms feature Soviet-era furniture and dated decor. Some guests mention that the lighting could be improved, and the overall comfort rating is below the hotel's other scores.
- Check-in window is narrow — Check-in is only available between 14:00 and 18:00, which may be inconvenient for flights arriving later in the day. The hotel does offer express check-in/out, but the standard window is fixed.
- No pets allowed — The hotel does not permit pets, so travellers with animals will need to look elsewhere.
- Basic rooms for the price — While the location and atmosphere are praised, some guests find the rooms simple for the price point. The Value rating is the lowest of the categories, and one guest described the rooms as 'basic'.
01 — Rooms
Rooms & rates
High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.
Twin Room
- 2 Single beds,1 Single bed,1 King-size bed and 1 Sofa bed
- Mountain view
- Shower
- Heating
- Bathtub
Business Double Room
- 1 Double bed,2 Single beds,1 King-size bed
- Mountain view
- Shower
- Heating
- Bathtub
Family Twin Room
- 2 Single beds,1 King-size bed and 1 Sofa bed,2 King Size Beds
- Mountain view
- Shower
- Heating
- Bathtub
King Suite
- 1 King-size bed,2 Single beds
- Mountain view
- Shower
- Fireplace
- Bathtub
Suite
- 1 King-size bed,1 Double bed,2 Single beds
- Mountain view
- Shower
- Fireplace
- Bathtub
02 — Amenities
Services & amenities
Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.
General
- 24-hour reception
- 24-hour security
- Lift
- No smoking on site
- Safe deposit box
- Luggage storage
- VIP check-in/out
- Express check-in/out
Food & Drink
- Restaurant
- Bar/Lounge area
- In-room breakfast
- Special diet menus
- Packed lunches
- Children's menu
- Welcome drink
Wellness & Leisure
- Fitness centre
- Sauna
- Steam room
- Public Bath
- Night club
- Leisure/TV room
- Billiard tables
Services
- Laundry
- Dry cleaning
- Tours/Ticket assistance
- Grocery shopping service
- Business centre
- Meeting/Banquet facilities
- Fax/Photocopying
Accessibility
- Rooms/Facilities for disabled
- Bathroom for disabled
- Allergy-free rooms
In-room
- Free Wi-Fi in rooms
- Air conditioning
- Heating
- Sitting area
- Dining table
- Ironing facilities
- Electric kettle
- Flat-screen TV
- AM/FM alarm clock
Photos
Gallery
03 — Reviews
What guests say
Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.
Guest-rated 8/10 from 686 reviews
Booking.com · 8 · 686 reviews
8Verified guest“The breakfast in the dining room was excellent to start the day. Everything was good and the staff were well-trained and affable. Location: the hotel was adjacent to cafes and restaurants, shopping centres, and the interesting Panfilov park, the main market and big shops, and the center of Almaty. Had tea and goodies at Cafe Kangnam, a mile from the hotel.”
8Verified guest“The hotel had a great location, close to all the popular tourist spots. What really stood out was the historic charm, giving a glimpse into what it was like to stay in one of the best hotels in Almaty 35 years ago. The old Soviet architecture and luxurious lobby, with heavy carpeting and red wood doors, added a unique touch. Rooms were equipped with traditional cabinets, taking you back in time. The full breakfast offered a variety of delicious options, including hot entries, crepes, eggs, porridge, and traditional Kazakh tea. The spacious restaurant had plenty of comfortable seating, and the attentive wait staff kept tables cleared. A fantastic experience, highly recommended.”
8Verified guest“Good hotel, but the lighting system and breakfast could be improved.”
8Verified guest“Friendly staff.”
8Verified guest“Central to many interesting and cultural sights. The breakfast room is incredible, with Kazakh-style rugs and paintings on the ceiling. The staff were helpful and arranged a smooth taxi to the airport. The building has lots of character, and the rooms, though basic, are comfortable.”
8Verified guest“Clean, comfortable room with good air conditioning. Lavish breakfast buffet. Good hotel services, very helpful staff, free internet.”
04 — Location
Getting around Almaty
The property sits in Almaty.
Around the hotel: Otrar is on Gogol Street, within walking distance of Panfilov Park, the Green Bazaar, and the Ascension Cathedral. The Zhibek Zholy metro station is nearby, and the Central Mosque is a 15-minute walk away.
Getting around: The hotel's central location means many attractions are reachable on foot. For further afield, the metro and taxis are convenient, and the staff can help arrange airport transfers.
Almaty, Gogol Street, 73, Almaty, Almaty, Almaty City, 480002, Kazakhstan
05 — Good to know
Policies & conditions
Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.
- Check-in
- From 14:00-18:00
- Check-out
- By 08:00-11:00
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
- Payment
- Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
- Pets
- Not allowed
- Property
- 122 rooms
06 — Questions
Frequently asked
What are the check-in and check-out times at Otrar?
Check-in is from 14:00 to 18:00, and check-out is from 08:00 to 11:00.
Does Otrar allow pets?
No, pets are not allowed at the hotel.
Is parking available at Otrar?
Yes, the hotel offers parking, including valet parking.
What dining options are available at the hotel?
The hotel has a restaurant and a bar/lounge area. In-room breakfast is also available, and the restaurant serves a buffet breakfast with hot and cold dishes.
Does Otrar have a fitness centre or spa facilities?
Yes, the hotel has a fitness centre, sauna, steam room, and a public bath.
Is Wi-Fi available in the rooms?
Yes, free Wi-Fi is provided in the rooms.
The bottom line
Otrar is a solid choice for travellers who value character and location over modern luxury. Its Soviet-era charm, central setting, and hearty breakfasts make it a memorable base for exploring Almaty, provided you're comfortable with dated rooms and a fixed check-in window.
8Best for history-minded travellers who want to stay in the heart of Almaty without paying a premium.
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