Residents and visitors of Almaty adore spending time in the mountains, and it's easy to understand why! With clean mountain air, stunning natural scenery, well-equipped ski slopes, and comfortable living accommodations, it's the perfect getaway from the city hustle.
Close to the former capital of Kazakhstan lies the Trans-Ili Alatau mountain range, a part of the Tien Shan mountains, practically adjacent to the city. Getting to your desired hotel is effortless, with numerous accommodation options catering to various tastes and budgets. Mountain hotels prioritize their reputation, ensuring cleanliness and order are meticulously maintained. They offer a full range of amenities, including high-speed internet, restaurants, children's and sports facilities, rental services, transfer arrangements, registration desks, private bathrooms, crisp bed linens, and excellent service.

Throughout the seasons, guests can enjoy outdoor swimming pools, saunas, ski slopes, and ice skating rinks. Some establishments even provide opportunities for fishing and swimming in mountain lakes. Importantly, when Almaty is plagued by smog, the mountain air remains clean and clear, offering a refreshing escape and breathtaking panoramas. Booking a room is hassle-free through various online platforms like Booking.com, but our curated list of 10 mountain hotels ensures you find the perfect retreat.

Shymbulak Resort Hotel and Spa 3*

This renowned hotel complex sits in the Shymbulak resort near Almaty's center, nestled in the Small Almaty Gorge at a high altitude. Cable car lifts are merely 100 meters away, making it a sought-after destination for skiing enthusiasts, mountain trekkers, and excursionists.

"Shymbulak Resort Hotel and Spa" offers a traditional array of services, including free Wi-Fi throughout, satellite TV, ski storage, conference facilities, and complimentary breakfast. The recreation area boasts a heated outdoor swimming pool, a Finnish sauna, skiing and balloon trails, ATV and snowmobile rides, horseback riding, a rope park, and the iconic Medeo skating rink.

Additionally, the complex features a hostel with shared rooms for 4-6 people, known for its cleanliness, spaciousness, and coziness. On-site, the Sarai-Bar restaurant serves European and Asian cuisine, including manti, Uzbek pilaf, duck breast, and lamb shish kebab.

Detailed description, room types, prices, link to the official website (follow this link)

Tenir

Operated on the "ski-in, ski-out" principle, this high-altitude eco-hotel sits at 3200 meters above sea level, above the Shymbulak resort, accessible via a gondola road. Guests stay in 10 separate houses, each equipped with individual Finnish saunas and sports equipment storage. Rooms feature amenities like TV, sound system, air conditioning, minibar, streaming service, and tea sets.

The shower rooms include bathrobes, slippers, hairdryers, and toiletries, with special hypoallergenic rooms available for those prone to allergies. Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the entire complex, with ski equipment and clothing available for rent. Adjacent to the complex, a ski pass sales point and slope access are conveniently located.

Detailed description, room types, prices, link to the official website (follow this link)

BeFine

Situated in the village of Beskainar, 18 km from Almaty, BeFine is a newly built resort hotel surrounded by the majestic Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. Guests enjoy comfortable rooms with air conditioning and panoramic windows offering breathtaking views. Reviews praise the hotel's impeccable cleanliness, excellent service, and hospitable staff, along with its restaurant and wide range of amenities.

On-site, BeFine boasts a vast swimming pool suitable for both sports and leisure, along with saunas, hammams, a modern gym, and table tennis facilities. There's also a playroom and outdoor play area for children, as well as hiking trails, roller skating tracks, and spaces for badminton and basketball enthusiasts. Gear and equipment rentals are available, while winter activities include a skating rink, skiing, sledding, and downhill tracks.

The hotel's banquet area and gazebos cater to various events, from festivities to corporate gatherings, both indoors and outdoors. Equipped with grills, cauldrons, and barbecues, the gazebos offer an ideal setting for outdoor cooking. Meanwhile, the spacious conference room provides a perfect venue for business meetings, seminars, and negotiations.

Detailed description, room types, prices, link to the official website (follow this link)

Apple Resort

A unique addition to the hospitality scene, Apple Resort emerged in 2023, situated behind Mount Kok-Tobe within Almaty's precincts. Comprising separate houses with domed roofs, the cottages offer panoramic vistas of the Trans-Ili Alatau. Both the structures and interiors boast eco-friendly materials. Services encompass complimentary internet, in-room dining, 24-hour reception, free parking, and airport transfers.

The property flaunts a garden, shared lounge, and terrace. At Apple Resort, "Le Pic" restaurant stands at an elevation of 1.5 meters above sea level, serving Greek, French, and Mediterranean delicacies. Special dietary needs such as Halal, vegetarian, or lactose-free meals are accommodated upon prior notice. Guests can unwind in the stylish, cozy bar.

A dedicated play area caters to younger guests, while an observation deck offers breathtaking panoramas. Barbecue enthusiasts can utilize the provided facilities. Nearby natural attractions include Yunnatskoye Lake, Mount Kok-Tobe, and Butakovsky Waterfall.

Detailed description, room types, prices, link to the official website (follow this link)

Alpine Rose

Nestled en route to Big Almaty Lake (BAO), Alpine Rose is a quaint hotel amid the Ile-Alatau National Park. While public visits to the lake are currently restricted due to lacking infrastructure, hotel guests enjoy unrestricted access, allowing for leisurely strolls or electric bike rides to the lake.

The resort caters to both winter and summer visitors, offering splendid vistas of alpine meadows, peaks, and forests. Cozy rooms with essential amenities await, with Deluxe rooms featuring wood-burning fireplaces for a romantic ambiance. A hearty breakfast is inclusive, with lunch and dinner served at the on-site restaurant, praised for its cuisine and service quality. Snowmobile excursions, balloon rides, and Moonlight Glade walks enrich the entertainment program.

Detailed description, room types, prices, link to the official website (follow this link)

Ak Bulak

Ak Bulak, a high-altitude resort-hotel operating year-round, provides an ideal escape to rejuvenate amidst the clean mountain air of Trans-Ili Alatau. Spanning 45 hectares, the guest house offers an array of facilities, including a cable car, sports grounds with round-the-clock lighting, a salt mine, and a spa center with a swimming pool and indoor ice skating rink. Multiple conference rooms cater to events.

The Alatau restaurant serves delectable meals, complemented by health complexes and programs led by professional sports instructors. An equestrian center lies a short drive away, while hiking enthusiasts can explore numerous excursion routes. Wi-Fi is accessible throughout, with parking available for guests. Nearby attractions include the State Museum of Arts of Kazakhstan and the Dolphin Sports Complex.

Detailed description, room types, prices, link to the official website (follow this link)

Kolsay Nomads

Kolsay Nomads, a charming 3-star complex atop a mountain, offers traditional rooms, glamping options, and two-story eco-cottages for 2-4 occupants, furnished for comfort and convenience. Though a four-hour drive from Almaty, its scenic location within Kolsay Kolderi National Natural Park rewards visitors with unparalleled views of the first Kolsai Lake.

Opened in early 2021, the resort boasts modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, private parking, and round-the-clock security. Breakfast is inclusive, while lunch and dinner can be savored in the summer cafe or indoor restaurant. Rooms feature separate bathrooms, desks, and TVs. Boats, catamarans, and horseback riding opportunities are available for an additional fee at the lakeshore.

Detailed description, room types, prices, link to the official website (follow this link)

Eight Lakes Park Resort (Vosem Ozer)

A 4-star haven tailored for memorable family getaways and events like team-building exercises, weddings, corporate gatherings, anniversaries, and open-air parties. Situated just an hour's drive from Almaty, the resort comprises 46 standard rooms and 24 standalone cottages, all boasting top-tier infrastructure and amenities including refrigerators, microwaves, TVs, air conditioning, and more. Each cottage features a private outdoor area with furniture, while round-the-clock room service ensures impeccable guest satisfaction.

Active recreation is a focal point, offering cycling, electric car excursions, mini-football, basketball, and volleyball facilities, a safari park, and a thermal spa. The little ones are catered to with a children's club, rollerblade and scooter rentals, fishing, and visits to the first private nursery featuring an array of birds and animals.

Dining options abound, with numerous bars and restaurants offering delectable fare and panoramic mountain views. Notably, the hotel hosts Asia's largest beach club spanning 20,000 square meters, boasting three swimming pools fed by artesian springs and multi-stage purification technology.

Detailed description, room types, prices, link to the official website (follow this link)

Reykjavik

A quaint mountain retreat nestled in Besqaynar village, Reykjavik attracts families seeking a weekend escape. VIP rooms offer Wi-Fi, jacuzzis, TVs, safes, refrigerators, minibars, and scenic mountain views.

Reykjavik stands out for its diverse family-oriented entertainment program, featuring a sauna with a summer pool, professional HQ karaoke, rope rides, and ATV excursions. Guided park tours along a mountain river with tent relaxation areas are also available. On-site outdoor dining serves renowned tandoori kebabs, while indoor banquet facilities cater to various events, including outdoor parties in the park. The chic restaurant offers Kazakh and European cuisine, complemented by nearby attractions like a lake, national park, and ski resort.

Detailed description, room types, prices, link to the official website (follow this link)

Oi-Qaragai Mountain Resort

Our selection concludes with Lesnaya Skazka mountain hotel nestled in the serene Ile-Alatau Park. Oi-Qaragai offers cozy chalets equipped with dressing rooms, safes, minibars, TVs, and private bathrooms with bathrobes, hairdryers, and toiletries. Each chalet boasts individual décor and balconies with stunning mountain vistas.

Just 400 meters from the resort lies a ski slope accessible via the Jer-sy cable car, while Shymbulak ski resort and Medeu skating rink are within an hour's drive. Activities include horseback riding, trolley rides, and rope park adventures. For relaxation, Umai Ethno spa offers sauna, jacuzzi, scrubs, wraps, and beauty services.

Dining options abound with six restaurants and cafes. Children can enjoy the Ugusha kids' club, climbing wall, rope rides, and ski school, with babysitting services available. Open year-round, the resort provides parking and amenities such as laundry, free Wi-Fi, banquet halls, and team-building areas.

Detailed description, room types, prices, link to the official website (follow this link)

What to Bring to a Mountain Hotel?

Your packing list largely depends on the season of your vacation and planned activities. For summer hiking, pack appropriate footwear, a hat, sunscreen, walking poles, and gloves. In winter, gear up with specialized attire for skating, skis, and skates. Remember, even in winter, the mountain sun can be intense, so don't forget protective spray. To avoid overpacking, check in advance what rental gear the hotel offers.

It's crucial to monitor the weather forecast beforehand. Mountain weather is notoriously unpredictable, with heavier rain and snowfall than in urban areas. Additionally, be mindful of the heightened risk of avalanches and landslides. Always heed the instructions of hotel staff and refrain from venturing outside during elevated danger levels.

While this guide concludes here, our website features numerous articles detailing various accommodations like houses, yurts, log cabins, cottages, and glamping sites.

 

Useful links

Best hotels in Astana (Kazakhstan)

Best hotels in Almaty (Kazakhstan)

4 ways to get to Shymbulak

How to get to the Big Almaty Lake (abbreviated BAO)?

Tourist Attractions in the Almaty Mountains

An abandoned rocket shaft in the Almaty region