Moscow calling
Dec 20, 2009, 1:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Dublin,Ireland and Nice France
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,057
Moscow calling
Anyone prepared to recommend a luxury hotel near enough to walk to the Kremlin?
You can comment on the Ritz carlton as well please but other alternatives or is it the only decent show in town?
I heard there was a four seasons in the offing?
We're planning this in the new year maybe February.
You can comment on the Ritz carlton as well please but other alternatives or is it the only decent show in town?
I heard there was a four seasons in the offing?
We're planning this in the new year maybe February.
Dec 20, 2009, 1:37 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 56
I made my first trip to Moscow in March 2009. Looking forward to the next trip! I didn't stay, but the Ritz Carlton Moscow was just off Red Square and is on my list for the next trip. Be sure to give yourself enough lead time with the Russian visa application. Complex process.
Dec 20, 2009, 2:55 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Dublin,Ireland and Nice France
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,057
Good Lord..I see what you mean 
Thats going to make things a tad difficult in terms of booking flights and accommodation in that We'd have to be sure to have the visa's in time.
It's a little off topic but important,what sort of lead in time would you be talking about.
I see we'll have to get an "invitation" first and then bring that along with the rest to the embassy.There appears to be online sites that handle that for a fee which seems strange,they get the invitation for you and some handle the visa part aswell.
Thats going to make things a tad difficult in terms of booking flights and accommodation in that We'd have to be sure to have the visa's in time.
It's a little off topic but important,what sort of lead in time would you be talking about.
I see we'll have to get an "invitation" first and then bring that along with the rest to the embassy.There appears to be online sites that handle that for a fee which seems strange,they get the invitation for you and some handle the visa part aswell.
Dec 21, 2009, 3:04 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
The Hyatt is the other top-end option, which is where we stayed a couple of years ago. The room was a little 'functional' but the location is fantastic and overall it is not a bad place. I've read some bad stuff about the R-C but to be honest haven't looked at the reviews for a while.
Your best bet - given Moscow prices - would be Hyatt points if you could do an exchange with someone who has some.
Flying - don't use BA because they have the clapped out 767's. BMI is the only way to do this, especially given the exceptionally low number of BMI miles required. Laughably it is far, far cheaper to join Diamond Club and buy the miles you need for a J redemption than actually buy a ticket.
Visa - it is not that difficult in London, not sure about Ireland. Book the hotel and they will fax you the form (with a warning they will charge your credit card if you later cancel the stay). You then simply drop it in at a visa service bureau (probably one in Dublin) who can take care of it in a few days. I use one very close to my office in London, although I believe that the Russians have now opened a 'proper' visa office in London which avoids the need to queue for 3 hours in the cold in Kensington.
If you're not arriving at the weekend, consider taking the train from DME as the traffic can be very, very, very bad indeed.
Your best bet - given Moscow prices - would be Hyatt points if you could do an exchange with someone who has some.
Flying - don't use BA because they have the clapped out 767's. BMI is the only way to do this, especially given the exceptionally low number of BMI miles required. Laughably it is far, far cheaper to join Diamond Club and buy the miles you need for a J redemption than actually buy a ticket.
Visa - it is not that difficult in London, not sure about Ireland. Book the hotel and they will fax you the form (with a warning they will charge your credit card if you later cancel the stay). You then simply drop it in at a visa service bureau (probably one in Dublin) who can take care of it in a few days. I use one very close to my office in London, although I believe that the Russians have now opened a 'proper' visa office in London which avoids the need to queue for 3 hours in the cold in Kensington.
If you're not arriving at the weekend, consider taking the train from DME as the traffic can be very, very, very bad indeed.
Dec 21, 2009, 11:42 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 56
+1 on taking the train from DME.
Dec 21, 2009, 2:46 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
I enjoyed the Park Hyatt Ararat, it's walking distance. I haven't been back since the Ritz opened buth ave heard good things. Unless it has been remodeled int he past few years the Kempinski is a bit run down, avoid.