I have to go to Moscow for a couple of days in late June. Can anyone recommend a good business hotel?

Any problem with going in on a tourist visa, rather than a business visa?

I think most people would say to you that there would be several to choose from. I would do a search on Moscow Hotels.However, to name a few that should suffice:Le'Meridien National, Kempinski,Grand Marriott, Hyatt,and Metropol. Just depends upon your needs and wants, there is always the Novotel at the airport.
I would think that you will have no problem to enter with the Tourist visa. I have done it with a problem, but have now taken a one year multi-entry business visa. Once the hotel has completed your 'passport/visa registration', be sure to get your documents back and carry them with you at all times. It is not unusal to be stopped routinely by the police to check passports and visas. If you have them, it is not a problem. If you are stopped and do not have them, you will wish you did.

oops, a small typo in prior response. To clarify, I have entered on a Tourist visa WITH OUT a problem. Did not not mean miss inform and imply that I had had a problem doing this. I think you will be fine.

Here is a page with a very good list of hotels all over Russia:

http://www.tourintel.ru/hotels/index.html

This is from the travel agency Academservice. I've never used them myself, but they've been in business for quite a long time and I've heard good things about them.

I've stayed in two of the three Marriotts (Grand and Aurora) and both are fine if not truly top-class. The locations are very central, and prices are reasonable by Moscow standards. There are other good hotels in the center too--I'll be at the Le Meridien National next week, where I have a rate of $185/night. The nicest hotel in Moscow is probably the Kempinski, but you'll pay hugely for it.

It is a great thing that there are now a decent number of hotels in Moscow to choose from. You can stay right in the center, a bit farther out (Radisson Slavyanskaya, Renaissance, Aerostar), or right at SVO (Novotel). I do NOT recommend staying at the airport hotel unless you are staying only one night and have an early flight out. The traffic in and out of the city is truly murderous.

You should be fine with a tourist visa. The documentation is a pain no matter which kind of visa you get.

I would make several recommendations.
Depending on your travel budget, there are several choices.

If money is not an issue, and you dont care about staying in the downtown, I would recommend staying at Le Meridien Country Club. Its on the outskirts of the city, but if your company arranges for a car for you during your stay, the property is truly amazing. National Hotel (right across from Kremlin and the great underground shopping centre on Okhotny Riad) is a very nice hotel, its a Le Meridien property also, but the rooms may be a little too dark and worn out (as Metropol rooms also), the hotel was famous for its restaurant Maxim (yes, supposedly the sister restaurant of Maxim in Paris, owned by Yvec Saint Laurent), but the restaurant is now gone, and the location is the main draw of this hotel.

If you want to stay downtown (my choice as I never seem to have a car reserved for me in Moscow), I would go with Marriott Grand or Mariott Royal. I would absolutely not go with Marriott Tverskaia. I have also heard good things about Hyatt Bolshoi, its right next to Bolshoi theater, and I have never stayed there myself, but like I said, good things were heard about that hotel). I would not want to stay at Metropol, as it is managed by the city and is overpriced for what is offers. Sheraton Palace is a nice hotel and slightly cheaper than Marriott Grand, situated kind of across the street from Marriott Tverskaia Being a starwood junkie myself, thats my humble abode away from home http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/tongue.gif (either that or Marriott Grand)
Kempinski Baltschug Hotel is also very nice, also across from Kremlin and right next to GUM (fabulously architectured department store), but I never stayed there.

If you want to stay at a boutique hotel, I would recommend Hotel Savoy near metro station Kuznetski Most. Many visiting celebrities choose that hotel because of its cozy atmosphere and perfect location close to nearly everything you may want to visit in Moscow.

If you are on a strict budget (under $120 a night for a room), I would look at Budapest Hotel (close to Marriott Royal), or Novotel Downtown. Location of Budapest Hotel is prefereable when compared to Novotel's location. Novotel, however, is a brand new hotel that just opened last year. Budapest Hotel is an old hotel that reminds me of a cheaper version of Savoy Hotel, but the location is great, once again.

While in Moscow, check out Sunday Brunch at Marriott Grand ($49 per person, plus tip, caviar, vodka, wine, champagne, juices, etc included along with some truly tasty dishes)

Also, check out LOFT cafe on top (I believe its 6th Floor) of the Nautilus Shopping Centre on Lubianka Square, its overlooking KGB Headquarters (really cool site), Detski Mir (Childrens World Shop, a HUGE department store for kids), and Polytechnical Museum (some cool stuff in there, I suppose). Food is amazing, and the service is impecable.

Enjoy your trip, Im envious (my next trip is only in March of 2004)

Cheers

[This message has been edited by asnovici (edited 06-08-2003).]

Does anyone have any thoughts on a hotel for an extended (3 week) stay? The best options so far look to be the National, Sheraton and Katerina, and I would particularly welcome comments on the Sheraton.

There does not seem to be any approximately reasonably-priced availability at the Marriotts or the Kempinski for my dates. I've previously stayed at the National, Kempinski, Metropole and Marriott Grand, so comparisons to any of those properties are welcomed.

I would suggest that for a 3 weeks stay, that perhaps a negotiated rate can be made with one of the mentioned hotels, that is less than the standard posted rates. I am not sure of this, but you may want to give it a try.
It has been my experience in Moscow that if the rates are spiked up on some given days at any of the major hotels in Moscow, the same is true for the rest.
I know there is a nice small boutique hotel near the Polyanka Metro, that seemed quite nice when I was there at the restaurant.
I have no experience at the Sheraton Palace on Tverskaya. I think it is near Mayakovskaya
Metro. I would think it is plenty nice hotel.
I have stayed at most of the hotels you have mentioned. In my opinion, as of today, the nicest hotel in Moscow is the Ararat Park Hyatt located @ 4 Neglinnaya Str., adjacent to the Bolshoi Theatr. Was there a few weeks ago.My rate was $250+VAT.
I would think you could negotiate something at far lass than that at Metropol or National. You may want to check on the Savoy that is located on the back street from the Hyatt near Kuznetski-Moct Metro station. However, the one time that I checked there when other hotels were full, the rates were right up there with the best of them. If distance into the city is not an issue, and you have access to a driver or other means of transportation, I know from time to time, there are some attractive rates at the LeMeridien Moscow Country Club. I have stayed there a few times. Rooms not great, but adequate and it is very secluded and quiet.
If cost is absolutely an issue you may check want to look at the old Rossiya hotel or the Presidential Palace(?). Presidential something? Good luck.

Just completed two stays at the Sheraton Palace and at the Novotel Downtown.

Sheraton Place:
Nice hotel. Staff were very good. Rooms were nice (I had a SPG Preffered room). Quiet ok decoration, but no Heavenly Bed. Worse bit was the view of the concrete inner courtyard. Breakfast was alright. I paid our company rate at $160 and also $230 (both included breakfast, but not taxes). Nearest metro is Belorussskaya (closest for the green line, just turn right after the Marriot!) and Mayaskova is near (but a bit more of a walk). BTW, nice cafe in the direction of Mayaskova called Cafe Fame. It's a 40 minute walk to the Kremlin, but if you walk to Belorusskaya or Maysokova, you can be at Bolshoi reasonably quickly. Transport to SVO was $99, but I could charge it to my room (which was a god send as I had misplaced, cancelled, then found my ATM card :mad: )

Novotel Downtown:
Good location for the Metro (right at Mendeleyevskay), which means a good gatway to anyware (tickets on the metro work out at about 12 cents for a ride anywhere and your mobile works deep in the depths!). Hotel is new, staff were nice and helpful. Very modern (bit IKEA'ish) rooms, but a tad basic. The room I got was on the 18th floor with nice views over Moscow. Breakfast was disappointing (how can a French hotel chain have bad bread!).
Transport was cheaper as it was only 60 Euros (about 70$) for a car to Domodedovo (they really want cash rather than cards.) Bank was annoying as I could not get cash off my credit card (see above) and ended up going to the Sheraton to do this (most banks in the area wouldn't do it either, so I guess it's a local thing).

Now, if it was me, I would consider the Ararat Hyatt, that looked really impressive (though modern) inside. Had a nice (but hatefully expensive) meal at the Cafe Ararat (Armenian). However, if you can find it, Noah's Ark had a lot more food (and very good at that) for a third the price.

I see this is kind of an old thread and was just wondering if anyone who has travelled to Moscow recently, has an updated reviews of some of the hotels. I'll be there for business for 8 days.

Thank you in advance

Jason

Have been to Moscow several times since my last post at this thread. Not much has changed. Albeit, presumably, there are a few new hotels scheduled to open in the next few years. At this time, I am not aware of any new factoids relative to other hotels other than the ones mentioned. Last time at Moscow I stayed at the Sheraton Palace. My hotel of choice as of now is still the Ararat Park Hyatt. As mentioned, there are several nice Marriott Properties, the National is still not bad at all. The Savoy has just recently reopened after an extensive renovation. I have a feeling that it would be quite nice. Perhaps others can chime in an let us know about the Savoy if anyone has been there since it re-opened.

I understand that a Holiday Inn recently opened not far from Belorussky Vokzal (a bit farther out from the center than the Marriott Tverskaya). No information as of yet. My favorites are still the Kempinski and National, depending on one's taste and location (the National is far superior). The Hyatt is also liked by those who have stayed there. On a slightly less expensive level, the Katerina looked quite good when I inspected it in advance of a potential stay.

For longer-term opportunities, serviced apartments are also now available at very reasonable rates. I recently used one for several weeks, and was very satisfied. PM me for information.

Definitely the Park Hyatt or Kempinski. You can't go wrong at the Kempinski.

Definitely the Park Hyatt or Kempinski. You can't go wrong at the Kempinski.

The Park Hyatt is now my favorite hotel in Moscow, but it can be tough to get a room there because it's now everyone's favorite hotel in Moscow. I have heard some truly staggering rates quoted there, rivaling the Kempinski, which has always been preposterously expensive.

For future reference, there will be a Swissotel opening in a few months at the Riverside Towers office complex, a bit out of the center but not too far.

I stayed for three weeks at the President Hotel. This hotel features top security, only guests or people with official business are allowed to enter the building. There is a nice resturant in the hotel as well as a small cafe for drinks and snacks. Shopping is within walking distance. The rear of the hotel overlooks a park and the river.

Just stayed at the Renaissance Hotel Moscow (part of Marriott).

Not a bad hotel. Nice reception and staff. Rooms were fairly decent. Not particularly big but ok size. I had requested a king, but got two doubles instead (not worth arguing as I was only there for a night). And as a plus, they do have wireless internet ($12 for an hour, $36 for 24 hours). You can get a card at reception, but they just rung me back with the pin code for it. They even sent someone up to help me with it (it wasn't taking the pin code), but then I realised that it does not like firefox!

Didn't get a chance to try the restaurant for breakfast as I wasn't too hungry.

The only real down side, was it could have been a bit closer to the metro stop (nearest is Prospekt Mira) and it is not straight forward if you've not been (i.e. I wouldn't necessarily arrive via metro not having been to the hotel before). However, they do have a shuttle that runs one every hour/half hour to Tverskaya and back (times are at reception).

Otherwise, not a bad one and worth considering. Though to be honest, I would personally love to try the Park Hyatt.

Stay at the Marriott Aurora (Royal) or the LeMeridien National for location.

I had an enjoyable stay at the Holiday Inn VINOGRADOVO in July, 2004. I booked online and received a rate of $110/night. The hotel is modern, clean, and has an adjoining casino. They are located about 15 minutes from SVO and they have a shuttle that will pick you up, or take you to the airport. When I arrived at SVO, there representative was waiting for me with a sign that had my name printed on it...I thought this was a nice touch and it made it very easy to find your shuttle connection. I found this hotel to be clean, and I experienced good service from the English speaking front-desk staff. The only disadvantage of this hotel is that it is not near the center of the city.

Stayed at the hotel National for two weeks last summer. Definetly the best hotel in town at the time. I dined at the Kempinski and Metropole hotels and would never dream of staying there just based on the service I got in the restaurants. The Metropole in particular was filthy. The restrooms felt like I was walking into some railway station restroom.

National has been very tastefully renovated (its a prerevolutionary hotel), has THE BEST location in Moscow for business or tourism. If you want to be able to walk around, do not stay at the Kempinski.

The National has real character. Kempinski, although also in a pre-revolutionary building, has been renovated in a way that robs it of character inside. The National's rooms may be admittedly smaller than some of those of the newer hotels, but they are tastefully done up, with incredibly comfortable beds (like no other hotel bed I've slept on).

Most importantly, the National has a world-class staff. The concierege (Maria?) is incredibly knowledgable, friendly, and helpful. All the waiters, front desk staff, doormen, bellhops, etc. were incredibly professional and showed great initiative.

If National is still selling at half the rate of the Kempinski, its a no brainer. One hint -- be sure to have a prix fixe "business lunch" at the National's flagship restaurant, overlooking Manezhnaya Ploshad. Then take a stroll in the hallway and see which world leaders/tyrants shared your choice of digs. Lenin just one of the National's famous guests.

My favorite business hotel now is Holiday Inn Lesnaya. Right by one of the major roads - brand new property.