Duman hotel is a new 18-floor hotel in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Opened just on 28 June 2008, it even did not have a website at the time when I stayed there.

Taking apart negative sides that are below, one BIG positive thing is that this is the first decent budget hotel in Astana - previously dominated by big names and large bills.

A standard room is just 18K Kazakh tenge - or just $150 per nite. This is two to three times below other big names in Astana!

For this you will get a spacious room, double bed (hard, guess it was imported from China) but it is good for your back, large flat screen TV, a small fridge (two bottles of welcome water inside) and air conditioning (hot/cold options).

Also it features a huge balcony with astonishing views over Astana and the sunrise or sunset (depending which side you get).

Sorry business travellers no Wi-Fi or wired internet in rooms. I've noticed Wi-Fi transmitters fitted on corridor walls but... more