Shera Inn Hotel

Well situated and short distance from shopping malls

My wife and I booked the Shera Inn through the MySTOPOVER promotion, for a very reasonable price, including transfer from the airport. The hotel itself was very mediocre and if the MySTOPOVER program is intended to put a positive spin on tourism in Kazakhstan, they would be advised to provide better hotel options. The location of the hotel is not convenient to any attractions, shops or restaurants; there are just a few small shops and a money changer across the street. The room we had was clean, but the bed was too soft, they initially only provided one set of towels (for two people), and there were no hangers! The room had a TV and mini fridge, but no water kettle for hot water and no tea or coffee provided. On the positive side, the shower was very good. The staff were rather unenthusiastic, uncaring, and mechanical (e.g., there was no follow-up to our request for a second set of towels even though we were assured they would be provided).

Dear travelers and adventure enthusiasts, if you are looking for a place where your heart can experience a full spectrum of emotions from disappointment to anger, then SheraInn is the perfect choice! This hotel, which calls itself "expensive" and "good," actually reaches unprecedented heights of unpleasant surprises. Yes, yes, I am a traveler with experience, a genius of the highest level, who has stayed in luxurious Dubai hotels where the staff is ready to anticipate your every step, and have spent nights in hotels in Novosibirsk where mosquitoes played the role of free blood-sucking masseurs. SheraInn has managed to create a unique combination of the "best" from both worlds! Let's start with the rooms, where I expected to immerse myself in comfort and luxury, but instead, I was greeted by the smell of dampness as if I found myself in an underwater cave. The air conditioner, which was supposed to create an oasis of coolness, turned out to be not only noisy but impossible to make quieter, depriving us of the opportunity to enjoy tranquility. And all this happened after calling a technician who entered the room in dirty footwear. Furthermore, the problems kept accumulating: besides the dampness, there was a smell of old bedding in the room, which did not add any charm to our stay. Imagine my astonishment when I opened the curtains and saw construction netting in front of the window, ruining the view of the mountains. It seemed as if the windows had not been cleaned for a hundred years and served as a source of dust and dirt. And how enlightening it was when I headed to the spa, hoping for relaxation and tranquility! Instead, I was greeted by a rude spa staff member who didn't even offer towels. I had to beg for them myself. And what about the fitness bar? Unfortunately, it doesn't exist, so if you want to replenish your energy after a workout, you'll have to seek inspiration on another continent. But the most horrifying moment was breakfast, where I was welcomed by a rotten chicken with an unpleasant odor. My complaint to the senior waiter did not receive any apologies, only indifference and explanations that it was a mistake by a novice waiter. In conclusion, SheraInn deserves the title of the world's most dreadful four-star hotel. Travelers, be prepared for an unforgettable experience that you'll want to forget like a nightmare, and share your story with others so that they know what hospitality pitfalls await them in Almaty!