Rixos Khadisha Shymkent

This showstopper five-star hotel is Shymkent's answer to the Ritz. Expect plenty of marble, a stunning atrium with soaring golden eagles and Golden Man statues, friendly multilingual service that's not stuffy, and splendid rooms – all plush fabrics and chandeliers – that put you in mind of 19th-century Europe. Two superb restaurants, two bars and spa seal the deal.