Astana's BEST Western Plus Hotel: Unbeatable Luxury & Views!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the shimmering, potentially slightly chaotic, world of the Astana's BEST Western Plus "Unbeatable Luxury & Views!"* hotel. Prepare for a review that’s less sterile travel brochure and more… well, me after three espressos and a week of solo travel.
SEO-licious Buzzwords (Let's Get it Over With): Astana Hotel, Best Western Plus, Luxury Hotel, Astana Accommodation, Accessible Hotel, Wheelchair Accessible, Free Wi-Fi, Spa, Swimming Pool, Fitness Center, Restaurant, Breakfast, Airport Transfer, Business Facilities, 24-Hour Front Desk, Cleanliness, Safety, View, Kazakhstan Travel. (There, I did it. Now, let's talk real.)
First Impressions & Accessibility (Cranky Boots Time):
Alright, let's be honest. Finding the perfect hotel in a foreign city can be a headache, and Astana is no exception, it's a whole new world. And, let me tell you, first impressions matter. Pulling up, I'm greeted by a sleek, modern facade. Score one point for aesthetics.
Now, accessibility. This is HUGE for me, and thankfully, the Best Western Plus seems to get it. Wheelchair accessibility is listed, but I NEED to find out if its accurate or just something they say to bring people in. We are gonna check:
- Entrance: Seemed pretty accessible, no crazy slopes, and wide doors. A solid first step.
- Elevators: Spacious, with accessible controls. Excellent!
- Rooms: We'll dig into this more later, but the accessible room I asked for appeared to be well-designed, with grab bars, and plenty of space to maneuver.
- Public areas: Restaurants, lobby, and spa seemed easy enough to navigate.
Ok, so far so good. I'm adding a caveat. I'd strongly recommend calling ahead specifically to confirm the accessible room is really what you need. Don't take it for granted. (Rant over. For now.)
The Room: My Private Oasis (Maybe With a Few Hiccups):
The room itself… swoon. (Or not. We'll see.) I'm in a "non-smoking" room, which, praise the heavens, actually smells like nothing but cleanliness. Air conditioning blasting, cause its the Kazakh desert! Okay, so, air conditioning is available. Free Wi-Fi? Check. Gotta have that constant stream of cat videos, obviously. Wi-Fi [free] is definitely a plus, since I would be utterly lost without it. A desk, for when I pretend to be productive. Internet access – wireless and Internet access – LAN, I dont even understand this. Laptop workspace is a must! Daily housekeeping is nice, but, sometimes when i'm in a mood I dont like it. A closet with ample space and bathrobes! And a mini bar! I like this!
The window that opens is also a HUGE win for me, I need fresh air!
But, there were some… quirks. The soundproofing, while generally good, didn't quite block out the occasional construction noise (Astana is a city in constant rebuild mode). And the bathroom? Beautiful, modern, with a separate shower/bathtub, but the water pressure? Let's just say it was a gentle drizzle, not a invigorating spray. This, my friends, is a travel life lesson: perfection is a myth.
Sleep:
- Extra long bed: Absolutely amazing.
- Blackout curtains: Needed!
- Alarm clock: Yes, thank god.
- Socket near the bed: Finally!
The View (Ahhhh, the View!):
Okay, now we get to the "Unbeatable Luxury & Views!" part. And wow. My room was high up (High floor), offering a panoramic vista of Astana's futuristic skyline, a feast for the eyes. Even at night, the city twinkled like a giant, glittering Christmas tree. That view alone almost made me forgive the water pressure. Almost. I'm getting more and more convinced this view could be where a "Proposal spot" could be.
Food, Glorious Food (And Maybe Some Disappointment):
Food is such a big deal to me. Here's the deal:
- Breakfast [buffet]; This is my favorite. The Asian breakfast, Western breakfast options were also plentiful, which is a game-changer.
- Restaurants: Not amazing, but decent.
- A la carte in restaurant: YES!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant is always a plus.
- Room service [24-hour]: Perfect.
- Snack bar: Good for a pick-me-up.
Cleanliness and Safety! - (They seem to be serious this time):
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Hand sanitizer
- Individually-wrapped food options
- Staff trained in safety protocol
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- First aid kit
- Doctor/nurse on call
Things to Do/Ways to Relax (Spa Day, Anyone?):
- This is where the "luxury" part really shines. I spent an embarrassing amount of time in the swimming pool [outdoor] with a Pool with view, which was bliss.
- Spa/sauna
- Fitness center/Gym/fitness
Drinking, Dining, and Snacking (A Bit of a Rambling Here):
Yes, there are Bars, a Bottle of water available.
Services and Conveniences (The Nitty-Gritty):
- 24-hour front desk: A lifesaver.
- Concierge: Always helpful with information.
- Elevator: Obviously crucial.
- Currency exchange: Useful.
- Laundry service: Because I can't be bothered.
- Cash withdrawal: Excellent.
- Airport transfer: Convenient and hassle-free.
- Car park [free of charge]: Great!
- Additional toilet: A plus!
- Pets allowed unavailable I would have liked to bring my dog :(
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service.
- Family/child friendly
- Kids meal
The Verdict (The Meandering Conclusion):
Astana's BEST Western Plus offers a solid luxury experience.
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
The Quirky Anecdote:
One morning, I was enjoying my buffet breakfast (I inhaled the pastries, don't judge), when a staff member, beaming with pride, offered me a tiny, perfectly-formed Kazakh bread roll. I tried to decline, but her insistence was irresistible. And you know what? It was the best damn bread roll I've ever tasted. Moments like that are what make travel memorable.
The Offer (The Hard Sell, Maybe Slightly Crazed):
Book Your Escape to the Astana's BEST Western Plus Hotel NOW!
- The View: Guaranteed to make your Instagram followers weep with envy.
- The Spa: Unwind, rejuvenate, and emerge a new, more relaxed you.
- The Accessibility: Focus on fun, not the frustration.
- The Location: Right in the heart of Astana.
- The Price: A total STEAL for all this luxury.
Why book with me? Because I have my own perspective, and I will never deceive you!
Don't delay. Book your unforgettable experience at Astana's BEST Western Plus today. You deserve it!
Escape to Paradise: Unbelievable Blue Waters Await in Cherai, Kochi!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is my potential trip to the Best Western Plus Astana in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. And trust me, it's going to be a ride. (Assuming I actually go. My procrastination skills are legendary, so this is more a daydream fueled by travel blogs and a desperate need for an adventure.)
Day 1: Arrival & Accidental Adventure (And the Quest for Tea)
- Morning (or should I say, "Whenever-My-Alarm-Actually-Manages-to-Rouse-Me-From-My-Slumber-O'Clock"): Fly into Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ). Okay, first hurdle. Airports and me? We have a complex relationship. I'm pretty sure I’m related to a sloth in a past life – everything takes me twice as long. Hopefully, the customs people will be merciful. Pray for me. Seriously.
- Early Afternoon (the "Hangry Phase"): Arrive at the Best Western Plus Astana. Check in, cross fingers for a decent view (after all, I'm going to be spending a lot of time in this room!), and immediately head to the room. First priority? Unpack some of my clothes (the more organized part of my brain will take over later). Second priority? Find the kettle. I will need tea. I'm practically nocturnal without it. Kazakhstan, you've been warned.
- Mid-Afternoon (The Great Tea Hunt Begins): Okay, the kettle is found – victory! But is it…compatible with the outlet? And more importantly, do they have decent tea bags? My stomach rumbles, the jetlag starts to hit. Maybe I'll venture out…but just for tea. That's the plan. (Famous last words, I hear myself thinking)
- Late Afternoon (The Accidental Promenade): Armed with a map (and probably a panicked look on my face), I attempt to find a local tea shop recommended in that travel blog I read. I say "attempt" because I’m geographically challenged. I'm going to get hopelessly lost. Guaranteed. But this could be good. Getting lost is how you find the real places, right? I might stumble upon some unexpected gem--a hidden bakery, a charming little park, or perhaps just a friendly local who speaks enough English (or gestures) to point me in the right direction for a cup of something warm.
- Evening (Almost Dinner Time): If I survive my tea quest, time for dinner at the hotel's restaurant. I'm a notoriously fussy eater (I know, a travel blogger's nightmare). Trying to be brave, and order something… unfamiliar. Something like a plate of Pelmeni (Kazakhstan dumplings). Or maybe I'll just order the burger. We’ll see how adventurous I really am.
- Night (Bedtime): Collapse into bed, full of tea and existential angst (that's my specialty). Journal a bit – probably something along the lines of, "Today I nearly died looking for tea. WORTH IT."
Day 2: Monuments, Mismatches and a Moment of Bliss
- Morning (The Tourist): Conquer the National Museum of Kazakhstan. I'm expecting beautiful architecture, but mostly, I fear I'll get overwhelmed and end up spending most of my time staring at the gift shop. Wish me luck! (Also, find the restroom beforehand. Trust me.)
- Afternoon (The Bayterek Tower Fiasco): The Bayterek Tower. The golden egg. Supposedly, it offers the most amazing views. The travel blogs all wax lyrical. I'm bracing myself for queues, crowds, Instagrammers and probably a whole lot of waiting. If the view is incredible, maybe it'll be worth it. Maybe.
- Late Afternoon (Shopping Spree): Okay, not a shopping spree in the traditional sense. More like a look-and-a-little-touch experience at the local market. Buying souvenirs is never my strongest suit. I'll probably end up buying a ridiculously large hat or a hideous but somehow endearing fridge magnet. But the atmosphere is the main thing, right? The smells, the sounds, the sheer chaos of it all.
- Evening (Dinner and a Story): Find a restaurant. Preferably one that serves local cuisine and has a nice ambience (aka, quiet enough that I can hear myself think). Hopefully, by now, I'll have managed to order something other than a burger. Or maybe the burger will become my new best friend (I’m not judging myself!)
- Night (Reflection Time): Back at the hotel. Journaling, reflecting (or trying to), I will write about something nice; a thing I liked, a moment I enjoyed, a view that stopped me in my tracks. Some days, it feels good to be alive.
Day 3: Departure & Farewell (With a Touch of Regret)
- Morning (The Last Breakfast): One last glorious breakfast with the Best Western Plus Astana. I'll soak it all in. It might be the best I’ve had in the whole darn trip!
- Early Afternoon (Head to the airport): Saying goodbye to Nur-Sultan. I'll be sad to go, I think. I have a very strange relationship with the world.
- Late Afternoon (Home bound): Wait for the flight, eat another airport meal and then, start to plan my next adventure (that is if I ever went to Kazakhstan).
And that is that. A whirlwind of possible adventures, likely failures, and hopefully, a few moments of magic. That's the plan, anyway. Reality? Well, that's another story entirely…and one I'm willing to bet will be far more entertaining. Wish me luck, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll actually make it past the airport.
Escape to Thanet: Stunning Boutique House, 4-Minute Beach Walk!
Astana's BEST Western Plus Hotel: Unbeatable Luxury & Views! (A Somewhat Chaotic FAQ)
Is this hotel *really* as luxurious as it sounds? My credit card shivers at the thought.
Alright, let's be real. "Luxury" is a word tossed around like confetti these days. But honestly? Yeah, it’s pretty darn luxurious. I mean, picture this: I waltzed in after a 12-hour flight, looking like a crumpled map of Kazakhstan. The lobby? Pristine, like a museum, but not in a stuffy "don't breathe on the art" kind of way. More like a "kick back and unwind" kind of museum. Someone practically *glided* me to check-in. My room? Huge. HUGE! And the bed… Oh, the bed. I'm not exaggerating when I say I lost all sense of time and space in those Egyptian cotton sheets. My credit card still regrets it, but I don’t.
What about the views? Do they live up to the hype? Because, let’s face it, "amazing views" are often a lie.
Okay, so, the views. Prepare to have your jaw surgically removed from your face. I swear, I spent a good hour just staring out the window. The hotel's got a fantastic vantage point. Seriously, it’s like the city just *presents* itself to you. The Bayterek Tower? Right there. The glistening city lights at night? *Chef's kiss.* One night, I ordered room service (more on that later... it's a story) and just sat there, eating my ridiculously delicious meal and watching the world go by. It was the kind of moment that makes you forget all your worries, even if only for a few hours. Actually, scratch that, it was probably the only moment I *wasn't* worrying about work, bills, or that slightly weird rash I developed... (Note to self: see a doctor.) And the sunset? Forget it. *Unreal.* Just... unreal. The hype is real, people. Believe it.
How's the food? I’m a picky eater. Am I doomed?
Okay, picky eaters, listen up. The hotel restaurant, called "The Golden Spoon" (or something equally fancy), is actually pretty impressive. I tried the breakfast buffet, which was a glorious spread of pastries, fruits, and enough hot dishes to fuel a small army. They even had a guy making fresh omelets. My personal breakfast strategy involved a strategic attack on the pastries. But also, the dinner... *ah, the dinner*. I ordered this steak (I can't *possibly* remember the name, but it was EXPENSIVE) and it was cooked *perfectly*. So tender, so flavorful... I actually almost licked the plate. Almost. But you know how it is, the feeling of not wanting to ruin the moment by going too far... If you can even remotely manage variety in your diet, you're golden. Even if you can't, the omelet guy is your friend. Trust me. Though, a small confession? The room service I mentioned earlier? Let's just say I may have asked for a burger at 3 AM. Don't judge!
Is the staff friendly? I hate being ignored / treated badly.
This is a big one for me. I *hate* bad service. And the staff? Super friendly. Seriously, they're genuinely nice, not just the fake-nice you get at some places. They go above and beyond. I asked for extra pillows (because, you know, luxury!) and they were delivered within minutes. I had a minor issue with the TV, and someone was up to fix it faster than I could say "Kazakhstan." They always remembered my name (scary, but in a good way). They somehow remembered that I wanted extra milk for my coffee. They didn't even bat an eye when I tried to order room service in broken Kazakh (it was a disaster, trust me). Okay, maybe I was slightly embarrassed, but they were, again, incredibly kind about it. Also, the cleaning staff are angels. Seriously. My room was immaculate every single day. I’m pretty sure they could find a clean way to pick up my mess, even if I tried to make a mess to test them. So, yeah. Stellar staff.
What about the location? Is it easy to get around?
The location's great, though it kinda felt like I couldn't leave the hotel sometimes! It's right in the heart of things, close to all the major attractions. Walking distance to some stuff, taxis are readily available and aren’t too expensive (do your research on local Taxi platforms, I think it’s Yandex). The airport isn't *super* close, but it's manageable. Okay, look, I'll be honest, I'm not exactly a seasoned traveler. But even *I* managed to figure out how to get around without too much trouble. I’m not going to lie, I got lost at least once. Okay twice. Okay... more than twice. But hey, it’s part of the adventure, right? Actually, there was this one incident where I was *certain* I was going the wrong way. Pretty sure I ended up in a completely different city. Fortunately, I found a taxi and got back eventually. Still, the hotel's location made it a lot easier to get back on track.
Are there any downsides? Nothing's perfect, right?
Okay, here's the truth. Nothing is perfect. If I *had* to nitpick... and trust me, I'm *good* at nitpicking... the prices are a little steep. Expect to spend some serious cash. Also, the Wi-Fi was a little spotty sometimes. But honestly? Those are minor inconveniences. There’s like, a strange lack of readily available English channels on the TV – but I’m okay with it, since I’m trying to watch the news on the local channel, and it’s all just so... interesting to me. And, I did say, the burger at 3 AM. That was a regret, and a triumph. And… okay, I'm grasping at straws here. Any downsides? You might not *want* to leave. That's probably it. Oh, and the other guests? They’re very…well-dressed. I definitely felt a little underdressed at times, but hey, I am who I am. The luxury might be a bit intimidating, there are some guests who seem to have been born into the hotel. And, just a minor thing, I found the aircon to be a little chilly now and again. I’m not a fan of the cold. So, minor things. Overall? Worth it. TOTALLY worth it.
Would you go back?
In a heartbeat. Absolutely, without a doubt, yes. Seriously, I'm already trying to figure out how to justify another trip. Even if it means eating ramen noodles for a month to pay for it. This hotel? It's an experience. It's a memory. It's worth every penny, every moment of "wow". I'm still dreaming of that bed... and the views... and the steak… And the staff… Okay, I’m getting emotional. Just book it. You won't regret it. And if you see me there, say hi. I'll probably beHotels Blog Guide
