Sheraton Bishkek

Steve P9 months ago

Once you get used to the reception not being on the ground floor, then check-in is straightforward. Staff were really helpful both on the door and at reception.||The room was clean, spacious and had a good view of the city and mountains. The bed was comfortable, and they accommodated my request for feather-free bedding without any fuss. Sockets were in short supply, so much so that this is the first hotel I can recall staying in that had more lamps than sockets (there was a desk lamp and a standing lamp, and you had to unplug one to use the other).||The bathroom was clean, and well proportioned although the shaving light didn't work, and overall the bathroom was a bit dim, which is a shame, because it's clearly a fairly modern/recent build, and they've just not got that part right. ||The other challenge I had with the room was the a/c: it seemed to have just one speed. There was a "quiet" mode, and a baby symbol showed up, but in reality, it didn't seem to make any difference to the volume of the a/c so I ended up sleeping with the a/c off some nights, and put up with it on other nights.||Breakfast was OK, with a reasonable - but not outstanding - choice. The coffee machine was so slow, I could set it going, and wander offer, get my muesli, fruit and a croissant and head back and it was just about finishing making a small-ish cup. It was always busy at breakfast (often with airline crews), but the space is poorly designed, so it's quite cramped when you're choosing food from the buffet (not a "real" issue, but if any architects are reading this, take note ;-) )||I ate in the bar one evening, and the food was good, but atmosphere was lacking. I also ate in the steak restaurant, and it was too bright/no ambience, and almost empty. The food was fine, but I wouldn't race back.||The pool was closed by late September, but the spa was available and a massage was reasonably priced. I'd recommend a Balinese massage by the masseur who is from Bali. ||There is a rooftop bar, which has great views. I tried it in August when before this trip, and was rather [unpleasantly] surprised by the prices/bill. It's not cheap.||The location is really good though and it's very easy to get out to good nearby, inexpensive restaurants and cafes. The hotel adjoins Bishkek Park (a shopping mall, not a park), where you can get a local SIM/eSIM, use the ATM, or get hand-pulled noodles in the foodcourt on the the top floor. Better still, head to Navat, which offers a great atmosphere whether quiet or busy, live music (after 9pm?), and a wide choice of local food from a menu full of pictures (very easy if you don't speak Russian). They also serve good local filtered and unfiltered beers. Other places with good food and wine were Vinoteka, and Cyclone, and for a cosy drink, try Good Spirits. Bishkek felt like a safe place to wander around both daytime and in the evenings. ||Overall it was a good stay. I should have mentioned the a/c while I was there, but I didn't. I would stay again. Staff were friendly, and while not everyone speaks English, most did and it was very easy. ||