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Kazakhstan Hotels and Resorts - the largest of the former Soviet republics in territory, excluding Russia, possesses enormous fossil fuel reserves as well as plentiful supplies of other minerals and metals. It also is a large agricultural - livestock and grain - producer. Kazakhstan's industrial sector rests on the extraction and processing of these natural resources and also on a growing machine-building sector specializing in construction equipment, tractors, agricultural machinery, and some defense items. The breakup of the USSR in December 1991 and the collapse in demand for Kazakhstan's traditional heavy industry products resulted in a short-term contraction of the economy, with the steepest annual decline occurring in 1994. In 1995-97, the pace of the government program of economic reform and privatization quickened, resulting in a substantial shifting of assets into the private sector. Kazakhstan enjoyed double-digit growth in 2000-01 - and a solid 9.5% in 2002 - thanks largely to its booming energy sector, but also to economic reform, good harvests, and foreign investment. The opening of the Caspian Consortium pipeline in 2001, from western Kazakhstan's Tengiz oilfield to the Black Sea, substantially raised export capacity. The country has embarked upon an industrial policy designed to diversify the economy away from overdependence on the oil sector, by developing light industry. Additionally, the policy aims to reduce the influence of foreign investment and foreign personnel; the government has engaged in several disputes with foreign oil companies over the terms of production agreements, and tensions continue.

Hotel Otrar Kazakhstan 73 Gogol ul., Almaty, 480002, Republic of Kazakhstan Hotel Rating: ReserveInquireView Rates

The Otrar Hotel was built in 1981 and reconstructed in 2002. It is located in 1 km to the city centre and near Museum of Musical Instruments, Principal Mosque, Svyato- Voznesensky Cathedral. Airport - 13 km. Railway station - 2 km.

ACCOMMODATION:The Otrar is a functional business hotel that offers presidential six room suite two three room suites and two junior suites comprising two rooms each. There are two executive floors and two standard floors - executive rooms host internet connectivity by prior booking and offer queen size and twin bed accommodation. RESTURANT:Dining at the Hotel compirses the Otrar traditional restaurant where local banquets can be witnessed celebrating weddings and traditions of centuries old. The Restaurant which is interestingly decorated with wall murals and wall hung carpets, is Buffet style, although some of the dishes may not be instantly recognisable to the English, all food is well cooked and quite tasty. There is both hot and cold dishes available - although Starters and Sweet courses do not seem to feature very heavily. CASINO:There is a Casino attached to the Hotel at the rear, and two Bars - one to the left of the reception, and one on the 1st floor, which opens at around 2100 Hrs, also, there is a night club downstairs from the reception which plays music very loudly so I was not tempted to go into this area. There is also a fitness area, which I also avoided. OTHER INFORMATION:Most of our front office staff are fluent in english whilst our team of interpreters are at hand to assist you. you are always welcome to the Otrar. All rooms have a balcony.Staff are attentive, and a large number of staff speak good English.