Oi Qaragai Mountain Resort

We stayed in the tree house accommodation, which was comfortable and well-equipped, though carrying luggage up the incline was challenging; thankfully, staff assisted us using the lift. Breakfast featured tasty local Kazakh dishes that everyone enjoyed, and the resort was clean overall. The activity staff, especially at the Skywalk Adventure, were very helpful and attentive. The resort also has an Italian restaurant that offers delicious food, which is a must-try for guests. Their pizzas and steaks are especially tasty and amazing. The resort offers a wide range of activities—so many that it’s difficult to cover in just a one-night stay, as we did. For a full experience, at least a two-night stay is recommended. Its location is convenient, being only about an hour’s drive from Almaty city center. However, guests should note that most resort activities, facilities, and even restaurants close early—restaurants by 10 PM, and activities by 7 PM during summer (I’m not sure about winter timings, as our visit was in summer). The reception staff were sometimes unhelpful and provided inaccurate information about guest facilities. The shuttle bus service also did not follow the published schedule, causing some inconvenience until security staff helped us resolve the issue. Like many places in Almaty, the absence of a Shataff (bidet spray) in the toilets was noticeable and could be improved for guest comfort. Despite these issues, the resort offers a unique experience in a beautiful setting, with friendly activity staff, excellent dining, and plenty of things to do that make the stay memorable.

We recently stayed at Oi-Qaragai Lesnaya Skazka, a wonderfully scenic mountain resort conveniently close to Almaty. It's a great getaway offering good ski facilities right on site. A real highlight for us, especially travelling with kids, was staying in one of the tree houses – definitely an experience not to be missed! Just a friendly warning though: reaching these unique rooms means climbing a fair few flights of stairs, so pack smart and maybe leave the giant suitcases behind! If that sounds like too much work after a day on the slopes (or just relaxing!), they also offer comfortable villas situated on the lower levels. Even if you're not a skier, you can enjoy the mountain air with a ride up the chairlift for some great views. For those who do ski, they even offer night skiing, which is a cool option. Food-wise, there are multiple choices available, and they seem to cater well to different dietary needs. We found the meals tasty, though maybe a little on the pricey side for what you might expect from a 4-star place. One practical tip: Be sure to have a translator app on your phone. Most staff and locals we encountered spoke primarily Kazakh and Russian, so it really helps bridge the communication gap. Overall, we had a fantastic time! Overall: 5/5 Location: 5/5 Food: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Cleanliness: 4/5

I am giving a genuine and honest review of this place i stayed last week with family and friends. This can be easily a 5 star if not for the below... Location & size : 5 stars Entertainment: 5 stars Food : breakfast 4 stars, Italian restaurant: 5 stars Staff attitude: 2 stars Staff cooperation: 1 star (based on an incident with us) Cleanliness of tree houses: 1 star or less (we found hairs in the towels and bedsheets from previous guests, disgusting). If cleanliness and staff attitude is improved this resort will easily be 5 stars.