Radisson SAS Hotel Astana
Sary arka 4, +7 7172 99 0000, (http://astana.radissonsas...). new hotel, just north of ishim river with 180 rooms. singles/doubles at usd 480 including breakfast, access to fitness center but excluding current vat. rooms are modern design, with flat-screen tv and free internet. wi-fi in the rooms can be dodgy, but there is a cable alternative, and wi-fi works fine in the lobby/lounge. hotel has a reliable italian restaurant, and a sports club/spa.
Okan InterContinental Astana
113 abaya avenue +7 7172 391-000, (http://www.ichotelsgroup....). the first luxury hotel in astana, the service is very good and the room quality is consistent. singles/doubles from kzt 46000. a very good breakfast bar is included, and there are is a popular italian restaurant pucchini's and an eastern-style turkish restaurant, as well as a pub on the mezzanine floor. expensive but fast, reliable wireless internet, and a nicely equipped business center. a nice range of conference facilities. unfortunately, the once nicely equipped gym pool, exercise room/equipment, saunas is closed through the end of 2007 for a full renovation. located in the old area of town, within walking distance from many restaurants, it is a long way from the government buildings on the other side of the river now that the government has moved.
Rixos Presidents Hotel Astana
Make no mistake about it, this is the most luxurious hotel in astana. for starters, standard rooms come with heated tiled floors in the bathroom, step in showers and jaccuzi tubs, lcd wide-screen television, and free wireless internet although it is not very consistent. the service is friendly and professional. there is a bar, a cafe, and two restaurants, and the best conference facilities in astana. the spa has the best exercise equipment in astana, and the pool is lovely. it is within walking distance to the ministries and the better restaurants, and the breakfast buffet is more than fantastic they've been known to put out caviar! complete with a harpist. the main drawback? so many vips prefer to stay in this hotel visiting presidents, prime ministers, and other big-wigs that you often have to fight security to get in and out! rooms start around $350/night.