Ethical Accommodation Kyrgyz Republic - Responsible tourism, ecoaccomodation, sustainable holidays/places to stay

castle hotel Issyk Kul

property description: The Hotel is situated close to the resort town of Cholpon Ata (Lake Issyk Kul) and local beaches. The Hotel is ideal for safe family holidays and where tranquility enables you to truly relax. There are ten rooms which offer both double and twin bed options, all decorated and furnished to western standards.

Lake Issyk Kul, the jewel of Central Asia, is the second largest mountain lake in the world. It is 1,600 metres above sea surrounded by the Tien-Shan mountain range. Some of the peaks rise to more than 7,000 metres in height. The water is slightly brackish (over 80 rivers drain into the lake). Plus for the active tourist you can enjoy bathing in the clean, clear mountain water, explore the numerous beautiful, high altitude gorges. Walking, pony trekking, mountain biking and rock climbing are popular activities.

This British owned and managed hotel is available for bookings throughout the year. Our deluxe rooms are furnished to Western standards and all have en-suite. The outside summer and panorama cafes are exclusive to residents. We are just 10 minutes walk to the nearest sandy beach. The owners can arrange transport to beaches, excursions local attractions: Karakol town, museums, gorges, Lake Son Kul (about 2000 meters above sea, accommodation are shepherd Yurts), petroglyph sites, Dungan church, and our own “dead sea” and much, much more.

accommodation: 10 Bedrooms (6 twin rooms and 4 lux rooms with en-suite facilities) Pets allowed. There is a laundry service, hairdressing and massage (by appointment). Linen and towels provided. Maid service daily unless requested otherwise.

Guest lounge includes large (metre wide) wide screen, HD flat screen TV. There are over a 100 Russian / English DVD films (home cinema surround sound system) available to guests.

We privileged to be situated in a world biosphere site and therefore take environmental issues seriously. For such reasons we have constructed a septic tank to prevent sub-soil contamination (lined and sealed) which is emptied according to all official regulations (same as for normal rubbish). When we built the Hotel we tried to source all materials locally thus supporting the local economy. We have used natural local stone for wall terracing in the Hotel grounds. We have planted over 20 trees. We used local labour to build the hotel and employ only local staff in running the hotel. Hotel staff are employed to pick up “other people’s” rubbish (wind-blown plastic bags, glass and plastic bottles are a particular problem). We use only local self employed driver / owner taxis.

New in 2008 a traditional Kyrgyz Yurt for meals or accommodation.

changeover day: No real fixed time (we’re pretty flexible, but usually midday)

surroundings: Nearest sandy beach is about 10 minutes away and the main town is about 3 kilometres away. Outside there is a children’s play area with children’s toys and a large blackboard and large padding pool. There is an outside cafe for guests and non-residents, and a roof panorama cafe (exclusive to residents) with views to the lake and snow capped mountains.

At the nearby local Canyons you can enjoy pony trekking, hiking, picnicking, etc. The hotel garden has been landscaped using local natural materials. Also, for 2009 we plan to develop an ecological garden using natural plant species rescued from building sites, and an outside Kyrgyz BBQ – “Shaslik”.

location: Situated about 10 minutes walk to the beach. About 3km to the town centre of Cholpon Ata, about 5km to a major Petroglyph site, and about 30 minute drive to some of the local nature reserve / canyons. The town centre has many cafes, bars, food shops, museums, parks, post office, exchange office and Internet Cafes.

prices: Basically we have only high and low season prices. High season runs from June to August, all other times are low season.

We charge per room not individual, thus a per night charge of $50 works out as $25 per person with two sharing. Prices include breakfast (either local cuisine or continental breakfast). Dinner, evening meal and bar drinks extra.

Low season room rate : $50 per night

High Season room rate: $100 per night

Note: Special rates apply during Christmas and New Year.

contact details:

Nigel and Elmira Browne,

Castle Hotel, Cholpon Ata,

Lake Issyk Kul,

Chui Oblast, Kyrgyzstan

email: nbrowne174@yahoo.co.uk

website: www.kyrgyzstay.com

Tel: +996 (0)555 714667 (mobile)

Owners speak English, Russian and Kyrgyz.

if you are traveling somewhere remote, or to a country with an unstable political climate, please check the travel advice section first