Not Just a Bed for the Night

Until recently, hotels were viewed primarily as places to rest after a busy day of sightseeing. Travelers chose their accommodation based on location, price, service, and room comfort. Today, however, many seek out unusual hotels that offer something more than an overnight stay.

For instance, at Kenya’s Giraffe Manor, giraffes peek through the windows during breakfast. At Japan’s Henn na Hotel, guests are greeted by robots and holograms. In the Maldives, tourists can live in underwater villas surrounded by marine life. These places create unforgettable memories and become attractions in their own right.

Some hotels are cultural and architectural landmarks. Historic castles, wineries, decommissioned observatories, retired ships, and even old trains are being transformed into places to stay.

And a unique hotel does not have to be expensive or luxurious. It could be a cozy yurt in the steppe, a transparent bubble in the forest, or even a treehouse. What matters most is that the experience goes beyond a standard hotel room.

Unique Hotels in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has something to offer travelers looking for unconventional accommodation. The country is home to towering mountains, vast steppes, coniferous forests, lakes, and dramatic canyons. Here, a unique stay is often defined not just by the hotel's design but also by the stunning landscapes surrounding it.

Below is a selection of interesting places to stay in different regions of Kazakhstan.

1. Treehouses at the Oi-Qaragai Mountain Resort

If you dreamed of living in a treehouse as a child, the Oi-Qaragai mountain resort can make that dream come true. Its wooden cabins are nestled among pine trees in the foothills of the Ile Alatau mountains, not far from Almaty. Each treehouse is equipped with a shower, heating, and the amenities needed for a comfortable stay.

In addition to treehouses, the resort features Orman Auyly, an ethno-hotel where guests can stay in traditional Kazakh yurts.

The resort also offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including skiing, snowboarding, horseback riding, mountain hiking, e-biking, snowmobiling, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). Guests can also choose from other accommodation options, such as private chalets, cottages, and glamping sites.

Location: Almaty Region, Talgar District, Beskainar village, Site 225.

2. ULAR PARK in Katon-Karagai

Katon-Karagai National Park in western Kazakhstan is known for its spectacular mountain scenery, forests, and rivers. ULAR PARK offers guests the chance to stay amid this natural beauty in futuristic capsules with panoramic windows.

The complex offers more than just accommodation. Guests can enjoy spa treatments, a traditional banya (Russian-style sauna), and massage. The property also operates its own wapiti deer farm, where visitors can experience traditional antler baths. During this procedure, a person sits in warm water infused with a concentrate made from the antlers of wapiti.

Location: East Kazakhstan Region, Katon-Karagai, 3.2 km (1.9 mi) north of Arshaty village.

3. Aspen Eco Hotel

Aspen Eco Hotel offers dome-shaped cabins and transparent bubble rooms located in the middle of a pine forest in Burabay. Staying in one of the fully transparent bubbles creates the feeling of being immersed in nature. You can fall asleep beneath a starry sky and watch the surrounding forest without even leaving your room.

Some accommodation options feature a jacuzzi or bathtub. The hotel is a great choice for a romantic getaway or a weekend escape from the city.

Location: Akmola Region, Burabay resort area, Sarybulak village, 7/1 Jailau Street.

4. Tenir Eco Hotel

Tenir Eco Hotel sits at an altitude of approximately 3,200 meters (10500 ft) above sea level, near the upper station of the Shymbulak ski resort. It is one of the world's highest-altitude hotels.

Guests stay in standalone units with panoramic windows overlooking the surrounding mountains. An overnight stay offers a different way to experience Shymbulak. Most people go there for just a few hours of skiing, but you can stay in the mountains after all visitors have left. Watch the sunset over the peaks and wake up to the sunrise the following morning.

Tenir Eco Hotel has also received a Michelin Key, a distinction awarded to hotels with striking architecture, superb service, or unique character. It is the hotel equivalent of the Michelin Star award for restaurants.

Keep in mind that temperatures at 3,200 meters are significantly lower than in the city, so pack warm clothing even if the weather in Almaty is hot. It is also worth considering your tolerance for high altitude and lower air pressure.

Location: Almaty, Talgar Pass, 604d Kerey-Janibek Khandar Street. To reach the hotel, take the cable car to Shymbulak's highest station, known as Combi-2.

5. YURTA Boutique Hotel

Located in the heart of Almaty, YURTA Boutique Hotel combines nomadic heritage with modern comfort. It is an excellent choice for travelers who want to experience Kazakh culture and aesthetics without leaving the city.

The interiors feature an ethnic design inspired by traditional materials such as wood, felt, textiles, and carved decorations. All the furniture was made by local artisans. Kazakh artists also contributed to the interiors.

The hotel has a restaurant serving Kazakh cuisine and a kumis bar offering more than 20 varieties of fresh kumis, shubat, and saumal (traditional milk drinks). A kumis sommelier helps guests discover the differences between regional varieties and recommends drinks to suit their tastes.

Location: Almaty, 106g Dostyk Avenue.

6. Dikaya Soap Farm

Dikaya Soap Farm is a family-run eco-farm and glamping site near Almaty. Its owners grow lavender, make natural soap, and organize soap-making workshops for visitors.

The farm is tucked into a small gorge beside a stream, about an hour's drive from Almaty. Guests can choose between a cozy cabin, a two-story A-frame house, or a tent. Those who prefer to bring their own camping equipment can pitch a tent on the grounds.

There is plenty to do here beyond simply enjoying nature. You can explore the lavender and herb gardens, relax in a hot herbal bath, go horseback riding, or play badminton. It is an inviting place for anyone looking to slow down, spend time outdoors, and experience a more relaxed side of rural life.

Location: Almaty Region, Ryskulovo village, 17B Amangeldy Street.

7. O’MIR Glamping

O’MIR Glamping offers futuristic cabins that resemble space capsules, set on the shores of the Caspian Sea in Mangystau. The cabins have glass walls that allow guests to admire the sea from their rooms.

In addition to the capsule-style accommodation, the glamping offers dome-shaped houses with panoramic windows and traditional Kazakh yurts.

On-site facilities include a restaurant, swimming pools, a spa complex, and a bathhouse. The glamping site also regularly hosts themed parties, outdoor movie screenings, and concerts, making it an appealing option for travelers who want to combine a seaside escape with entertainment.

Location: Mangystau Region, Kyzylkum area, Munaily District, 47 km (29 mi) south of Aktau.

8. The Veil Taste & Relax

Not all unusual hotels are located in mountains or forests. Kazakhstan's capital also offers places where the architecture itself becomes part of the experience.

The Veil is more than a hotel. It is an architectural statement, distinguished by flowing lines and unconventional shapes. The project was developed in collaboration with the Italian architectural studio Archea Associati.

Inside, visitors will find a boutique hotel, restaurants, and a spa. The property is an excellent choice for travelers who appreciate contemporary design and want to stay in one of the  striking modern buildings in Astana.

Location: Astana, 4 Kadyrgali Jalayiri Street.