Taking into account the inflated prices in Kazakhstan for hotels the Astana International is a reasonable deal. This was my third visit in two years and down to the pothole in the start of the hotel driveway all was the same. It was good to see familiar faces at the check-in desk. Rooms are a bit small but everything works, including the internet (not free). If you are a large or long person you will find the single bed on the small side. Ask for a double bed. The only drawback is the walking distance to the expat haunted bars and restaurants so if your on business it's bit of a hike. You need a taxi at night to get back. The hotel is in the student area of the town so there are plenty of small bars and restaurants close by and the Ultra brewery and restaurant is 300 meters away. It's rooftop garden is a nice place to visit in the summer. Pick up from the airport by the hotel shuttle (taxi) works well but the service back to the airport is not provided. I see from other reviews the rate of 3500 KZT is standard for the trip back by taxi which you can order at the front desk. There are nicer hotels in Almaty but the Astana International is consistently acceptable.

My wife stayed at the Hotel Astana for 2 1/2 days late June 2011. The room was very small but the bed was comfortable and everything was clean. Caution the shower cabinet was very slippery when wet. The weather in Almaty was very warm, room AC worked just OK to keep the room reasonably comfortable day and night. Internet was slow but reasonablly priced at 1000 Kzt for 24 hours, about $7 US. They also offer 12 hours at 500 Kzt ($3.50). Breakfast was included and very adequate listed as American Breakfast including fried eggs, meat, potatoes or rice and the usual Kazakh fare with cold meats, cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers and various cerials and breads, rolls etc. Cheap compared to other larger hotels in the area. Airport Transfer was free from the airport but they charge for the return. Going rate is ~2000 Kzt per person. This hotel front desk arranged a taxi for us at 3,500 Kzt ($24 US) for two. We would stay there again.

The hotels in Kazakistan are overpriced and the Astana can be a good option. The first impression was not good, the rooms are small and all the building is sovietic time, but after three nights we were happy with our choice. In fact the room was not big but was enough, the bathroom also well, the prices in restaurant much cheaper than we payed outside, the location not bad near the Independence (or Respublika) Square. About the internet was working, but everybody wants to sell (!!!) the service but without papers...Anywhere a good choice.

considering most hotels in almaty are well overpriced this one is reasonable enough

location not bad, rooms a bit soviet although very clean the usual CIS issues no bath plugs, bad design, doors opening on themselves etc etc

mini bar is sensibly priced, not often you can drink a bottle of cognac from the mini bar and not feel the pain at check out

lobby bar has all facilities a travelling businessman needs

breakfast is passable not grand

staff friendly helpful and english speaking, no issues at all there

be aware of staff doing things off the books such as offering to set up internet in your room 'unofficially' but will be at a price higher than doing it officially but they are soon haggled down to half the official price - things like this are rampant in this town

my second stay here, will continue to use,its good enough for this town

airport issues -
taxis are even worse even so called official ones will not agree price or have a meter but only have a paper print of so called official tariff sin the glove box to whip out when you arrive at your destination,sometime drivers make an excuse to carry a friend or colleague too who will help intimidate you at your destination, refuse to go with 2
much better to have a driver meet you and avoid nastiness....