A contemporary mountain retreat redefining Kazakh hospitality through silence, materiality, and light

Nestled within the Ili Alatau mountains near Almaty, Mountain Hotel Alatau is more than a destination — it is a contemporary sanctuary for those seeking harmony between architecture, landscape, and the self

Here, the mountain is not a backdrop, but a living presence. Every element — from monolithic facades to soft interior tactility — reflects the dialogue between human and nature.

The project reimagines what hospitality in Kazakhstan can mean: intimate, rooted, and timeless. Inspired by the raw spirit of the Alatau landscape, the design translates silence into space and geology into geometry. The building sits low and grounded, blending into the slopes as though carved by wind and water

The architecture embodies brutalist honesty softened by human touch — combining stone, plaster, and patinated metal in a palette of sand and rust. Sunlight pours through double-height windows, illuminating the mountains like a sacred theater. Interiors are defined by mass and calmness: large planes of textured plaster, sculptural fireplaces, and tactile furniture made of natural leather and wool. Each suite is conceived as a private retreat — a space for contemplation, warmth, and restoration.

The material narrative follows three layers:

• Material Authenticity — plaster, stone, bronze, linen.
• Mindful Living - inspired by Aman resorts and Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy.
• Kazakh Heritage — felt patterns, qoshqar muyiz ornament, mountain herbs, and the ritual of fire.

Mountain Hotel Alatau is a meditation on permanence and impermanence

The mountain stands immovable, while light, fog, and snow constantly reshape perception - reminding guests that serenity is never static. Every space is designed for slowness: warm light, quiet textures, and elemental geometry invite guests to reconnect with the essence of being. This is Kazakh hospitality reimagined - not through service, but through a sense of belonging to the land

In a time of noise, Mountain Hotel Alatau offers silence as luxury