ASTRA HOTEL

I really wanted to give this hotel a better rating, but it came up short in many areas. The room was comfortable but housekeeping was minimal. I checked in on Sunday and didn't see a fresh towel until Thursday. Bed was never made during my week - long stay. No hot water the last two times I took a shower. Noisy! There was a youth soccer team in the two floors below, and twice I had to tell the front desk about the noise that came up the open stairwell like an echo chamber; the second time, the boys were playing ball in the hallway. Room features were inconvenient: only one light switch at the entrance, so I had to use my cell phone to find my way back to the bed after turning out the lights. Very little space on the bathroom vanity. Positives: the staff was courteous. Breakfast was good. The location is a bit away from the central sites (but near the train station 2), and easy for taxis to find and take you around for 1000-2500 tenge.