I visit Almaty at least ones a year for one or two weeks for the past 8 years I always stay at the Dostyk. Love the Place, the staff are very professional, polite, helpful. The location is very convenient. The food at the restaurant and bar suburb, kudos to the chef Alecksandr Fomich, he never disappoints. The rooms are a little outdated, however clean and very comfortable.
I wish they would install a railing on the front steps. In the winter it makes me nervous because of the possibility of slipping.
I will definitely be back.