The SharZhum Resort Centre in the Akkol district of the Akmola region is only 108 kilometres from Astana, but offers views of a pine forest from every room as well as summer and winter outdoor activities.
The forest surrounding the alpine-style resort offers guests opportunities for camping, fishing, mountain biking or just swinging in a hammock in the summer and cross-country skiing, skating and sledging in the winter.
In January 2012, SharZhum hosted the Ski Veterans Open Cup competition for star skiing veterans of Kazakhstan. Its ski stadium is equipped with technology meeting international standards, and there is a ski school for guests who want instruction.
Within the resort are a soccer field and skate park, basketball and volleyball courts, a children’s playground, a pool, a Jacuzzi, a woodworking studio, an open air lounge bar, an eco-library and a spa.
The SharZhum spa is a getaway in itself, with an indoor swimming pool, hamam (a Turkish bath), sauna, fitness centre, massage room and sports shop. The resort also offers yoga classes. All guests staying in the hotel have access to the spa and its massage therapies, including Swedish massage, sports massage, aromatherapy massage, reflexology and anti-stress head massage.
Only an hour and a half from Astana, SharZhum attracts corporate events and families and couples looking to escape the city.
In summer, SharZhum is a popular destination for outdoor wedding ceremonies, private parties on the terrace and romantic weekend getaways.
The hotel has 19 guest rooms in four categories, from standard to the presidential suite, and two exclusive cottages. It has a restaurant, a private meeting room, a recreation zone for winter and summer sports, a billiards room, a conference room that seats 50 and wireless Internet. All of the guestrooms have open windows, forest views, cable TV and a safe for valuables.
