Originally Posted by
rankourabu
last year, we stayed in a bunch of different accommodations. This was an independent trip (not work, not organized in any way)
From the Courtyard, Park Inn, some other local run hotels, and a private hostel, and another few nights on trains.
On exit, noone cared about registration.
The visa was date-specific for entry and exit, and they demanded flight bookings.
The consulate also demanded pre-paid hotel bookings since we used one of the invitation mills.
So stupid, since we just ended up booking cancellable reservations on Expedia, sent it into the consulate as "proof" and then cancelled the hotels.
Once in Russia, you can stay and go wherever you like, and dont have to use anything (cities visited/hotels) on your invitation letter, as long as you leave by the date on visa.
Its not so easy and free. I stayed at the W in St Pete last yr and they made it known that once they issue the Invite if you end up CXing the res you owe $xx for them having issued the Invite, and they will charge the CC you used when making the res.
Im sure not all hotels follow suit but its something one should look into before booking and asking the hotel to set up your invite