I received an e-mail notice sometime last fall about one coming. Anyone been in Moscow recently that could tell me if it still under construction?

It is. And so is the Four Seasons across the street. Both are due to open in 2007

Walked past the Ritz on Tverskaya a few weeks ago when at Moscow. I am not exactly sure when it is scheduled to open. I do recall when I walked past sometime last year, the sign on the construction site at that time said, Opening in June 06. I did not bother to notice to look to see if that still stands. However based upon what I saw, it ain't gonna happen in June this year. I have friends who walk by the site everyday, I suppose if you are all that interested, I can ask them to find out when it will open.

I can report flat out that hotel rates in Moscow have spiked off the chart in the last year or two, and of course now with the closure of the Rossiya it has made it even more so.

Just a quick note to add that I was wrong. RC Moscow is slated to open in November, 2006.

It seems that almost all the growth is in the upscale/luxury sector. Any expectations to see more economy/tourist class hotels in Moscow? Likes of Ibis.

Any expectations to see more economy/tourist class hotels in Moscow? Likes of Ibis.

Not with the current real estate boom. It just wouldn't not make any sence economically. (FYI, real estate prices more than doubled only in 2005)

I can report flat out that hotel rates in Moscow have spiked off the chart in the last year or two, and of course now with the closure of the Rossiya it has made it even more so.

I heard that rates at the Ritz for a room starts at around $800/night. Hows that for hyper-inflation. There was a shortage of Hotel rooms before the closure of the Rossiya. Now it is much worse. Many of the clients have shifted to staying in short term apartments lately.

It seems that almost all the growth is in the upscale/luxury sector. Any expectations to see more economy/tourist class hotels in Moscow? Likes of Ibis.

A Marriott Courtyard opened not too long ago, but I suspect that room rates are high given the shortage of available rooms throughout town.