Guest House Arcabay-Karligash

Hearty travelers, this is an authentic property at the foothills of Lake Kolsay & Lake Kandy and Charyn Canyon all in a day trip! It only cost a few dollars to stay here so it would be unfair to compare this to a fancy hotel room! For what you get it’s awesome (and I’ve traveled to 152 countries). You get a nice large space with a shared great room, a shower and bathroom with other guests if there are any, and a delicious breakfast to get started before your adventures. I had a lovely conversation with Karligash – the proprietress, who is a down to earth Kazakh woman earning a little extra living, welcoming, adventurous travelers… What could be better? If you’re on a budget, this is a fantastic place to stay. And of course you are in Saty, exactly where you want to be, just minutes away from launching into your Lake adventure. Thanks Karligash!

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, 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!