Russia - Best Moscow/St Petersburg Hotel Values for the Points

My wife and I would like to take a couple week trip to Russia sometime in the next couple of years, primarily Moscow and St. Petersburg- tho we're open to other suggestions. We're also looking at possibly next Sept-Oct as a good time with more limited crowds but without the harshest weather.

And I have about 50K points from Chase Sapphire that I can convert 1:1 to the following:
Hyatt
Marriott
IHG
Ritz Carlton

Airline miles are set- we have what we would need to get there. And I have a pretty good sense of what airline points are worth but I'm new to the hotel point game. What number of points equals a night at a certain hotel level, as a rule of thumb? Or as a rule of thumb for each program?

I'd like to get the most bang for the buck for these points: more nights are better as long as the hotel meets a certain baseline. Typically, we're 3* hotel travelers not 4*. A hotel room is a bed so long as its in a safe location, bedbug free, clean, and in a good location. But I also realize that rooms there are expensive, a 3* in Chicago does not necessarily equal 3* in St Petersburg, etc.

At a cursory glance, it appears that mid-range and Moscow are somewhat contradictory terms so likely the best place to lay out a pile of points is there to save some coin. Maybe we'd be able to offset the cost of a few days.

Lastly, we're also looking to possible do another international trip (Japan) so this shouldn't be solely viewed as "Get the best bang for 50K points" as the best bang for the buck, in general. And I'm not above applying for another card to get a huge bonus between now when we travel but anything with a large annual spend (over $10K) is out of our range.

i ahve only ever looked at starwood. they list the points and points + $ for each stay. when i stayed at starwoods(for money) in both places, breakfast not included, and it was real money. also, charges were converted back to us$, and we were charged usd. hotel breakfast was so expensive, we went out on the street and around the corner. i think the petersburg starwood is gone(it sank)

i thought both petersburg and moscow very safe for a tourist.

I've stayed at all these hotels and can offer my two sense worth

Hyatt
- There is only one hyatt in Moscow, the Park Hyatt. Top tier category (maybe a bit much for the points). Nice place, run by Austrians. Currently under renovation. Would work well for a tourist.

I should note that there is also the Grand Hyatt Recidences, not a hotel, at Moskova City, Federation Tower, not part of the Gold Points Program. Nice place, a bit far off though. Great for business people.

Mariott
- There are several in Moscow. Not really a fan. Its ok, but not great. one of the is located on Ulitsa Petrova (the Aurora?) Thats the one you want to stay at. Yawn

IHG
- There is an intercontinental that just open last year. I have not stayed there yet, but I saw this hotel being built over my various visits. Ok for business, a bit far off for tourists. Treveskaya Ultisa / Leningradsky prospect. Great location for meeting people in moscow, not to great for tourists I think

Ritz Carlton
- This is probably the best place to stay if you're a tourist. Right next to the kremlin, very central location. Try to get into the exec lounge, its quite something. The O2 lounge on the roof top is very nice. President Obama stayed here on his last visit to Moscow

SPG
There isn't any nice places to stay in Moscow that is SPG. The national maybe. The Sheraton Palace is a dump filled with prostitutes and should be avoided.

50k in points won't get you too far in both cities but for what it's worth I stay only at the Monarch, great new property. Cat 4 for Marriott. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mowbr-renaissance-moscow-monarch-centre-hotel/

Courtyard Paveletskaya is a decent location and brand new, Cat 3 makes it good value. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mowpv-courtyard-moscow-paveletskaya/


Pushkin in St. Pete isn't so bad either, Cat 3 makes it solid value.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ledgr-courtyard-st-petersburg-center-west-pushkin-hotel/

I only do Marriott's so that's the extent of my 2 kopecks.

Thanks for the suggestions, tho more are always welcome!

I was looking at also getting the current card for whichever hotel I pick so that will probably bump me up to 100K points, which is a bit more substantial and should get me within point buying distance of a nice 5 night stay from Marriott. Heck, using some of jredknapp's suggestions, I could possibly get 10 of my nights taken care of with some creative point gains.

Park Hyatt Moscow looks really nice- what are the odds that it will be "sold out"? With only one property in the city, I'd be risking a really expensive trip in Moscow if it's not available. Getting 4 or 5 nights there is certainly attainable, points-wise. But what are the risks?

Ritz Carlton just looks too expensive as a plan. I'll never gain enough points to make a dent anywhere.

What about time of year? September thru early October seems like a good time, in my mind: temperatures seem reasonable still. Looks like average highs in the low 50s and average lows in the 30s. That will definitely work for tourist weather. Festivals and events we should know about? Some crazy crowd packed holidays we might want to avoid or, at the other end, things we might not want to miss (for example, is there some month a big tourist item like the Bolshoi is closed?)

Thanks all for the advice and any others are more than welcome into this discussion.

..
IHG
- There is an intercontinental that just open last year. I have not stayed there yet, but I saw this hotel being built over my various visits. Ok for business, a bit far off for tourists. Treveskaya Ultisa / Leningradsky prospect. Great location for meeting people in moscow, not to great for tourists I think

...

IC is great for tourists. While probably 0.5-1 km farther from Red Square than Hyatt and RC it is surrounded by food (including 24 hr grocery store with takeout and starbucks), shopping on tverskaya and 3 lines of metro 100 m away. Red squre is 15-20 min walk straight down on tverskaya.
It is also by far the best value on points (30K at the moment but i bet this will change) and it's a new property. Basic internet and basic minibar are free for all guests. You can find my detailed review in ICH forum.
Also if for whatever reason IC is not available there is a good chance to use points for HI or CP. If you sign up for ambassador you'll get bogo cert to use to extend your stay.

I like Hyatt as well but it would only make sense if you are diamond and get upgrades, internet and breakfasts and as you mentioned if it's not available you are stuck with transfered points.

SPG in moscow is overpriced and I, in general, stay away from marriotts due to very poor rewards program.

There is also a hilton but IMO it's location is not very good, certainly nowhere near that of IC or Hyatt.

Thanks for the suggestions, tho more are always welcome!

I was looking at also getting the current card for whichever hotel I pick so that will probably bump me up to 100K points, which is a bit more substantial and should get me within point buying distance of a nice 5 night stay from Marriott. Heck, using some of jredknapp's suggestions, I could possibly get 10 of my nights taken care of with some creative point gains.

Park Hyatt Moscow looks really nice- what are the odds that it will be "sold out"? With only one property in the city, I'd be risking a really expensive trip in Moscow if it's not available. Getting 4 or 5 nights there is certainly attainable, points-wise. But what are the risks?

Ritz Carlton just looks too expensive as a plan. I'll never gain enough points to make a dent anywhere.

What about time of year? September thru early October seems like a good time, in my mind: temperatures seem reasonable still. Looks like average highs in the low 50s and average lows in the 30s. That will definitely work for tourist weather. Festivals and events we should know about? Some crazy crowd packed holidays we might want to avoid or, at the other end, things we might not want to miss (for example, is there some month a big tourist item like the Bolshoi is closed?)

Thanks all for the advice and any others are more than welcome into this discussion.

If you have never been before, make sure you visit before October. Of the many nice aspects to viewing both cities... you want to make sure you get there before all of the numerous fountains are turned off for the winter time and the flowers are removed for winter prep. Walking around Gorky park or the Hermitage Garden are wonderful at any time of year but when all of the extra amenities are around it just makes it extra special.

I didn't realize its only 30K PP. Hmm, I will have to try it then. I also have a BOGO I need to use.

The IC is VERY BRAND NEW. You go inside, everything is new, new.
(at the time of writing).

The location is prime for business and for frequent visits. As mentioned the touristy stuff is 15 minute straight shot walk. In the winter though this can be brutal (walking outside, period)

I think we can agree that the Sheraton is a dump. I have been personally propositioned by prostitutes both male and female. Inside reminds me of the Hotel Rossiya. LOL.

If you have never been before, make sure you visit before October. Of the many nice aspects to viewing both cities... you want to make sure you get there before all of the numerous fountains are turned off for the winter time and the flowers are removed for winter prep. Walking around Gorky park or the Hermitage Garden are wonderful at any time of year but when all of the extra amenities are around it just makes it extra special.

The mid Sept-early Oct timeframe just seemed like a good time to tour without the crowds being too bad. For those couple of items are we talking about just making sure to see them before October starts or just to be there in July or August?

I've heard the tourist crowds can be pretty bad in both cities in the summer. Between that and the added bonus of any flight in October costing less points as offpeak (I would have to pick up some bonus miles somewhere to make up the difference but that's not a huge concern) - those were the two factors for the timeframe.

Also, it feels to me like Russia needs to be seen with a bit of a chill in the air to appreciate the atmosphere but maybe I'm just off base on that.

Don't waste your Chase points converting them to hotel points. The value in converting to United miles is far greater. Look into another card product or just pay for your nights and collect points along the way for your next trip.

Just got back from both cities. Used points to stay at the Park Hyatt - reserved a suite and was upgraded to the Wintergreen suite - sweet! Our friends had no points with them but they each got a Hyatt credit card and that comes with two free nights at any Hyatt after the first spend. Their room was small but a great hotel in a great location.

Then stayed at the W St Petersburg on Cash and Points - 4800 points and $90 per night. I'm really not a "W" buy but a wonderful location and a lovely stay.

For some reason, the basic rooms at both hotels have very limited drawer space - amazing for a hotel for tourists.

We were very, very happy with both hotels. Moscow was great and St Petersburg is truly an amazing experience.

Good luck.

Just got back from both cities. Used points to stay at the Park Hyatt - reserved a suite and was upgraded to the Wintergreen suite - sweet! Our friends had no points with them but they each got a Hyatt credit card and that comes with two free nights at any Hyatt after the first spend. Their room was small but a great hotel in a great location.

Then stayed at the W St Petersburg on Cash and Points - 4800 points and $90 per night. I'm really not a "W" buy but a wonderful location and a lovely stay.

For some reason, the basic rooms at both hotels have very limited drawer space - amazing for a hotel for tourists.

We were very, very happy with both hotels. Moscow was great and St Petersburg is truly an amazing experience.

Good luck.

I'm glad you went and had a wonderful experience... many more places to see in Russia. I hope this was the first trip of many more to come.

+1


Courtyard Paveletskaya is a decent location and brand new, Cat 3 makes it good value. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...-paveletskaya/

we very much enjoyed this hotel. great value, clean and in a more local neighborhood. It's a good walk to the tourist sites - but then we love to walk cities.

Lots of local places to eat nearby too. would stay there again without a second's hesitation.