Guest House Arcabay-Karligash

Location: Situated at the foothills of Lake Kolsay, Lake Kandy, and Charyn Canyon, offering convenient access to start lake adventures. Close to attractions like Kaindai upper lake and with proximity to cafes and shops.

Staying here feels a bit like school with the owner constantly shouting at people for breaking her many, strict rules (leaving different doors open or closed, being 1 minute late to breakfast, leaving shoes in the wrong place, etc). We’ve stayed in many places across Kazakhstan and Central Asia and never met a host as needlessly and constantly rude and bullying as this. Everyone is made to feel like they are a huge inconvenience and she is doing them such a big favour letting them stay there. So it is very uncomfortable. The rooms are very small with no towels and no storage, barely big enough for the beds. There is one small bathroom between 12-14 people which is far too little - you’re constantly having to wait. There are no locks on any of the doors, which isn’t great when there are so many people coming in and out at all times. And the wifi was terrible - the worst I’ve seen in Central Asia. It in fact didn’t work at all for two of our days there - but don’t mention it to the host(!), I saw her shout at someone for asking. Definitely avoid this place if you can!