Trip to Kazakhstan in Lufthansa First Class and Dubai to Stockholm in Qatar Airways Business Class
A few weeks ago, I traveled to Kazakhstan for the first time where I spent two nights in the capital city of Astana. I flew from Dubai to Astana via Frankfurt (and back) in Lufthansa First Class using my miles and needless to say, it was one of the best trips I've ever had. I had a separate ticket on Qatar Airways between Stockholm and Dubai where I flew in economy class on the outbound and business class on the inbound. My business class ticket on Qatar Airways from Dubai gave me the chance to visit their newly opened lounge which was really nice, as well as that of British Airways'. This whole trip lasted for a week and eventhough it was very extensive, I loved every single minute of it!
Photoreview: Lufthansa Business Class Lounge, Dubai T1 Concourse D (DXB)
Review: Lufthansa Senator Lounge, Dubai T1 Concourse D (DXB)
Review: Lufthansa First Class, Dubai-Frankfurt
Photoreview: Lufthansa First Class Lounge, Concourse A Schengen (FRA)
Review: Lufthansa First Class, Frankfurt-Astana
Top Attractions in Kazakhstan
Review: Hilton Garden Inn Astana
Review: Astana Airport Transit Hotel
Review: Lufthansa First Class Astana-Frankfurt
Photoreview: Lufthansa Welcome Lounge, Frankfurt (FRA)
Review: Lufthansa First Class, Frankfurt-Dubai
Review: Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Muraqabat
Photoreview: British Airways Galleries Club, Dubai T1 Concourse D (DXB)
Photoreview: Qatar Airways Dubai Premium Lounge, Dubai T1 Concourse D (DXB)
Review: Qatar Airways First Class, Dubai-Doha
Review: Qatar Airways Dreamliner Business Class, Doha-Stockholm
Hilton Garden Inn, Astana
Date of stay: September 10-11, 2016
Address: Kabanbai Batyr Avenue, 15, Astana, 010010
Nightly Rate: 112 USD including breakfast
How to get here: Taking a taxi from the airport to the hotel costs about 3000 Tenge. Just make sure you have both agreed on the price.
Hotel Exterior
Hilton Garden Inn Astana exterior
I took this picture to show how close the hotel is to Khan Shatyr (left of the hotel) which is one of the top attractions here in Astana. Actually, the Astana Opera (another top attraction) is much closer so this hotel has one of the best locations in the city.
Hotel Lobby
Hilton Garden Inn Astana lobby
Reception
Hilton Garden Inn Astana reception
5th Floor
Hilton Garden Inn Astana elevators
Queen Room
Hilton Garden Inn Astana room 522, queen bed
Room key
Video of my room in Hilton Garden Inn Astana
There's a comfortable sofa to the left of my bed.
And as a Hilton Diamond member, I also got welcome fruits, not one but two! Also included is a welcome card. Thanks, Hilton Garden Inn Astana!
Work desk
There's also complimentary wifi which allowed me to do some work.
Flat TV
There is a total of 46 channels including CNN, BBC and Discovery Channel.
Complimentary tea and coffee and two bottles of water
Safe and slippers inside the wardrobe
Flat iron and ironing board
The bathroom amenities consisted of Peter Thomas Roth products which was impressive since as far as I know, only Hilton hotels use this brand and Garden Inn uses another brand, so kudos to Garden Inn Astana on this offering!
Bathtub
Toilet
View
View from my room
Lobby Lounge
Hilton Garden Inn Astana's modern and lovely lobby lounge
Fitness Center
Hilton Garden Inn Astana fitness center
Business Center
Hilton Garden Inn Astana business center with computers and printers
Breakfast Buffet Restaurant (Ground Floor, 7-11am)
Dining area
Buffet area
Hot dishes including pork sausage, porridge, etc.
Salads and fruits
Condiments section
Traditional spices
Restaurant opening hours
CONCLUSION
I arrived at the hotel around 11pm and since the taxi driver didn't have a change, I approached the male receptionist on duty and told him that I would be checking in but would first need help in changing my 5000 Tenge to smaller bills. Fortunately, he had some smaller bills and after paying the cab driver, I was back to the reception where the check in process went smoothly. He welcomed me as a Hilton Diamond member and informed of the breakfast time which was from 7am to 11am. He offered to give me a wake up call but I declined. It was my first time in Astana so I asked for a map of the city but I was told that they don't have it but they could print one for me and would give it the following morning. Fortunately, he found one just before I could take the elevators to my room. I really loved the room, specially the fact that they are using the Peter Thomas Roth products in the bathroom since they are my favorites. As for the breakfast buffet, they had nice offering which I think is pretty standard from Garden Inn hotels. After breakfast, I went to the reception and the two ladies (Amina and Dinara) were so friendly and helped with my queries as to how I could find my way to the sights I wanted to visit. The hotel has an ideal location as it is walking distance to the Astana Opera, Khan Shatyr and Baiterek Tower among others. Needless to say, I enjoyed my one night stay here and would stay here again when I'm back in Astana. To all the staff of Garden Inn Astana, "Raqmet!"
Related Posts:
Review: Hilton Budapest
Review: Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt
A few weeks ago, I traveled to Kazakhstan for the first time where I spent two nights in the capital city of Astana. I flew from Dubai to Astana via Frankfurt (and back) in Lufthansa First Class using my miles and needless to say, it was one of the best trips I've ever had. I had a separate ticket on Qatar Airways between Stockholm and Dubai where I flew in economy class on the outbound and business class on the inbound. My business class ticket on Qatar Airways from Dubai gave me the chance to visit their newly opened lounge which was really nice, as well as that of British Airways'. This whole trip lasted for a week and eventhough it was very extensive, I loved every single minute of it!
Photoreview: Lufthansa Business Class Lounge, Dubai T1 Concourse D (DXB)
Review: Lufthansa Senator Lounge, Dubai T1 Concourse D (DXB)
Review: Lufthansa First Class, Dubai-Frankfurt
Photoreview: Lufthansa First Class Lounge, Concourse A Schengen (FRA)
Review: Lufthansa First Class, Frankfurt-Astana
Top Attractions in Kazakhstan
Review: Hilton Garden Inn Astana
Review: Astana Airport Transit Hotel
Review: Lufthansa First Class Astana-Frankfurt
Photoreview: Lufthansa Welcome Lounge, Frankfurt (FRA)
Review: Lufthansa First Class, Frankfurt-Dubai
Review: Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Muraqabat
Photoreview: British Airways Galleries Club, Dubai T1 Concourse D (DXB)
Photoreview: Qatar Airways Dubai Premium Lounge, Dubai T1 Concourse D (DXB)
Review: Qatar Airways First Class, Dubai-Doha
Review: Qatar Airways Dreamliner Business Class, Doha-Stockholm
Date of stay: September 10-11, 2016
Address: Kabanbai Batyr Avenue, 15, Astana, 010010
Nightly Rate: 112 USD including breakfast
How to get here: Taking a taxi from the airport to the hotel costs about 3000 Tenge. Just make sure you have both agreed on the price.
Hotel Exterior
Hotel Lobby
Reception
5th Floor
Queen Room
View
Lobby Lounge
Fitness Center
Business Center
Breakfast Buffet Restaurant (Ground Floor, 7-11am)
CONCLUSION
I arrived at the hotel around 11pm and since the taxi driver didn't have a change, I approached the male receptionist on duty and told him that I would be checking in but would first need help in changing my 5000 Tenge to smaller bills. Fortunately, he had some smaller bills and after paying the cab driver, I was back to the reception where the check in process went smoothly. He welcomed me as a Hilton Diamond member and informed of the breakfast time which was from 7am to 11am. He offered to give me a wake up call but I declined. It was my first time in Astana so I asked for a map of the city but I was told that they don't have it but they could print one for me and would give it the following morning. Fortunately, he found one just before I could take the elevators to my room. I really loved the room, specially the fact that they are using the Peter Thomas Roth products in the bathroom since they are my favorites. As for the breakfast buffet, they had nice offering which I think is pretty standard from Garden Inn hotels. After breakfast, I went to the reception and the two ladies (Amina and Dinara) were so friendly and helped with my queries as to how I could find my way to the sights I wanted to visit. The hotel has an ideal location as it is walking distance to the Astana Opera, Khan Shatyr and Baiterek Tower among others. Needless to say, I enjoyed my one night stay here and would stay here again when I'm back in Astana. To all the staff of Garden Inn Astana, "Raqmet!"
Related Posts:
Review: Hilton Budapest
Review: Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt