It seems that one of the documents required for a visa is a confirmation / invitation from a tour company or a hotel in Russia. I booked my hotel online (with a western chain hotel) and then e-mailed them to ask for a confirmation that I could hand over along with the visa application. No reply. Even after repeated reminders. US res office of hotel chain say they can do nothing to elicit a response from their Russian franchisee.

Does anyone know if this piece of paper is absolutely indispensable? If yes, does anyone have any suggestions as to how one can circumvent the problem?