9 of the Best Shymbulak Hotels

Shymbulak is Kazakhstan’s most famous mountain resort and Central Asia’s premier skiing destination.

Just a short drive from the hustle and bustle of Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, the Shymbulak Mountain Resort is perched high in the Ile Alatau National Park. Attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, the park is popular amongst hikers, climbers, and nature lovers in the summer and skiers and snowboarders in the winter.

For those wanting to explore Ile Alatau, there is ample opportunity within the Shymbulak resort and in nearby Almaty as well.

Here is our round-up of the best Shymbulak hotels and the best hotels in Almaty.

The Best Shymbulak Hotels

Whether hiking in summer or skiing in winter, nothing beats staying right on the mountain during a holiday. Luckily, in Shymbulak there are plenty of options to choose from to suit any style or budget. From luxury lodges to eco-friendly hotels, budget hostels or elegant chalets, here are the best Shymbulak hotels with the best views.

Tenir Eco Hotel

The Tenir Eco Hotel is the cream of the crop when it comes to the best Shymbulak hotels. staying at the Tenir Eco Hotel means staying on the mountain quite literally. Perched high in the Zailiyskiy Alatau mountain range saddled in the Talgar Pass, Tenir Eco Hotel has the best views of all of the Shymbulak mountains hotels.

The Tenir Eco Hotel offers ten rooms, each contained in its own cozy eco-pod. The rooms are spacious featuring comfortable double beds, a private bathroom, and a seating area with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the outstanding backdrop. Each room is also fitted out with its own Finnish sauna, perfect for resting those weary muscles after a day on the slopes.

The Tenir Eco Hotel has an onsite butler service ready to assist you with anything and everything, breakfast is included (when booking with Booking.com), and there are two on-site restaurants.

*One of the restaurants is temporarily closed after a fire in late January 2023.

The Tenir Eco Hotel is only accessible by three separate cable cars from Medeu-Shymbulak station. The first cable car will bring you to the Shymbulak resort, takes approximately 25 minutes, and is open from 8:30 am – 6:00 pm. The ascent from the Shymbulak resort to the middle station takes approximately 12 minutes and is open from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

The final journey from the middle station to the Tenir Eco Hotel takes approximately 10 minutes and is open from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm. The full journey should take approximately one hour to reach the hotel. Remember that you are traveling on the same cable car as skiers and so travel on weekends and holidays could result in a short queue for the cable car rides.

Staying at Tenir Eco Hotel is one of the more expensive accomodation options with prices starting at 200,000 ₸ or $450 USD for a night with panoramic views over the Talgar Pass.

Shymbulak Resort Hotel

A more affordable option while still staying on the mountain is the Shymbulak Resort Hotel. This ski-in, ski-out hotel is perfect for families and friends looking for a weekend getaway on the Kazakhstan slopes. The Shymbulak Resort Hotel features basic, yet comfortable rooms with private bathrooms for couples and families.

Budget-minded travelers and backpackers will be thrilled that there is even a hostel on-site featuring a six-bedroom dorm for females and a four-bedroom dorm for males.

Other notable features of the Shymbulak Resort Hotel include a Finnish sauna, an outdoor heated pool, and free breakfast included with your stay. There is an onsite restaurant featuring a variety of national dishes in a rustic dining room overlooking the mountain.

Rooms start at around 40,000 ₸ or $90 USD per night or from 10,000 ₸ or $22 USD for a dormitory bed.

Namaste Shalle 2000M

Not quite within the resort, this Shymbulak hotel is close enough to count located just below the resort at 2000 meters above sea level.

If cozying up by the fire in rustic, log cabin-style accommodation is for you then Namaste Shalle 2000M is your choice on the mountain. The cozy rooms are just perfect after a day out on the slopes or a day hiking in the mountains.

Accommodation options at Namaste Shalle 2000M include standard and deluxe rooms as well as suites, three-bedroom houses, and three-bedroom chalets. The property also features a shared lounge, shared kitchen (if needed), terrace, restaurant, bar, hot springs, and ping pong table.

The hike to the top of the mountain from Namaste Shalle 2000M is approximately 2 kilometers. Taxis are available and cost approximately $3,000 ₸ or $7 USD one-way.

Rooms at Namaste Shalle 2000M start at around 40,000 ₸ or $112 USD per night for a double room or from 10,000 ₸ or $168 USD for a three-bedroom bed.

S.N.e.G.

Another Shymbulak hotel found on the mountain is Hotel S.N.e.G. The name S.N.e.G. translates to Sun, Sky, and Mountain in Russian and that is exactly what you get when you stay at S.N.e.G. The hotel is located just off the Kombi-1 ski elevator and provides beautiful views over Shymbulak ski resort.

This small hotel only features seven rooms, so snagging a booking here may be difficult. The rooms are well-appointed and cozy, and the staff is friendly and helpful. The biggest drawcard, however, is the restaurant with its European cuisine and expansive terrace.

This boutique Shymbulak hotel has even been included in the British World Boutique Hotel Awards.

Rooms start at around 70,000 ₸ or $155 USD per night.

Best Almaty Hotels

If you are looking for something a little bit more affordable or want to be in the city for better dining and nightlife options, you will want to stay in Almaty. Shymbulak is only a 30- to 45-minute bus ride from the city center depending on where you are staying.

Almaty has a wide array of hotels suitable for all types of travelers, but here are what we think are the best hotels in Almaty in order from the most budget-friendly to the most opulent.

The Wanderlust Hostel

Those looking for comfortable lodgings at a great price need look no further than the Wanderlust. Located conveniently in central Almaty, you’ll be close to public transport, restaurants, bars, and attractions. The hostel features a shared kitchen and a shared lounge, along with free WiFi throughout the property and 24-hour reception. The rooms are comfortable and cozy.

Rooms start around 12,600 ₸ per night or $28 USD. Dormitory beds start around 6,500 ₸ per night or $15 USD.

Kazakhstan Express (Hotel Kazakhstan)

A great option in Almaty coming in at under $100 USD a night (45,000 ₸ a night) is Kazakhstan Express making it the best hotel in Almaty for those on a budget. The location is unbeatable located on Dostyk Avenue and minutes from some of the best restaurants and bars in Almaty. Bus Route 12 to the Shymbulak Medeu Station is only a stone’s throw away from the Kazakhstan Express making it a great option for those headed to the ski slopes.

The Kazakhstan Express is also housed in one of the most iconic buildings in Kazakhstan and is even included on the 5,000 ₸ note!

The Kazakhstan Express offers basic air-conditioned rooms featuring a desk, kettle, TV, and private bathroom. The staff at the Kazahkstan Express are friendly and helpful, and the breakfast is one of the best things about staying here. And better yet, it is included in the price of your accommodation.

Rooms here start at 35,000 ₸ or $76 USD a night for a single room and 39,000 ₸ or $86 USD a night for a double room.

Opera Apartments Almaty

Opera Apartments is easily one of the best hotels in Almaty if you are looking for a little bit more space and the ability to cook your own meals at home, then Opera Apartments Almaty is likely the best option for you. Centrally located, the apartments at Opera Apartments Almaty are beautifully appointed with modern furnishing.

Each apartment features one bedroom, a washing machine, and a full-service kitchen. Some rooms are also equipped with a sofa bed to accommodate more than two people and others even have a bath, perfect for a hot soak after a day on the slopes.

As this is an apartment hotel, there is no regular reception or security as with other hotels. Regular operating hours are from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, but the team at Opera Apartments Almaty is willing to accommodate late or early arrivals if needed if notified in advance.

Prices start around 45,000 ₸ or $99 USD per night for a standard apartment.

Renion Park Hotel

The most centrally located of all of the best hotels in Almarty, the Renion Park Hotel is the perfect place to stay if you want to explore Almaty a bit during your travels instead of heading straight to the slope. Only 500 meters from famous landmarks in Almaty such as the Ascension Cathedral and minutes from some of the best restaurants and bars, you won’t be disappointed with your choice to stay at Renion Park Hotel.

Outside of being centrally located, the rooms are clean and spacious, the staff are helpful and friendly and go out of their way to make your stay enjoyable, and there is free private parking if you are coming in with your own wheels. The hotel also offers a shared lounge, fitness center, indoor pool, and sauna.

Breakfast is included with your stay at the Renion Park Hotel.

Rooms here start around 50,500 ₸ or $112 USD per night.

The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty

What better way to pamper yourself after a day on the slopes than with the 5-star luxury of the Ritz-Carlton in Almaty? This stunning hotel is unbeatable and may possibly be the best hotel in Almaty! The Ritz Carlon prides itself on being the cream of the crop when it comes to luxury and it is no exception here in Almaty.

The first-class luxury doesn’t end with the hotel rooms. As with many Ritz Carlton hotels, there is an onsite spa with a wide arrange of treatments, a dedicated relaxation area, steam rooms, and an oriental hammam. There is also an indoor swimming pool and fitness center.

The Ritz Carlton hotel is not in downtown Almaty but on the outskirts of town at the foothill of the Alatau Mountains providing you with an on-mountain feel in town. The downtown area of Almaty is only minutes away and is easily accessible by taxi using the Yandex app.

For those who are interested in staying close by, the Ritz Carlon offers multiple on-site restaurants including SEVEN Bar & Restaurant (fine dining), a Sky Lobby and Lounge as well as Vista Restaurant with stunning views back over the mountains from the 30th floor.

Rooms here start around 200,000 ₸ or $440 USD per night.

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That rounds out the best Symbulak hotels and the best hotels in Almaty. Let us know if you think we missed one and enjoy Shymbulak and the Ile Alatau.

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