It's true the hotel is undergoing renovation (I should know, I spent four months on-and-off there in 2008). As I understand from my conversations with customer relations folks, actual hotel rooms are going to be the last places to be renovated (public places are to be finished first).

But the staff is very competent and friendly, especially on the 7th floor (Club Level).

If you're flying in and want to take a taxi (Aeroexpress trains may be MUCH faster, depending on time of day), then use the airport taxi desk or see taxi company phone numbers in FlyerTalk's Russia Forum. Hotel's car service is about 3 times more expensive.

If you're looking for a Starwood property that's more grand and better located for tourist sites, then check out Hotel National.

Feel free to PM me with any questions about either hotel or Moscow.