Hotel National, Luxury Collection, Moscow [Master Thread]
Sep 26, 2012, 9:19 am
#46
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,207
It can be amusing in Moscow to observe the different styles of hookers in different hotels. The ones at Hotel National looked almost like they could turn into trophy wives if they would just lengthen their skirts. In other hotels, one sees more exotic dress, fetishes, or sometimes the down-and-out ones.
Sep 26, 2012, 5:30 pm
#47
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NorCal
Programs: UA 1K [ex-GS],1+MM, SPG PLAT
Posts: 361
Not only is it a piece of cake compared to 20-30 years ago .... I've had no problems at all getting visa.
Sep 26, 2012, 10:37 pm
#48
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, AC Elite, Airmiles Gold, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Posts: 785
Biden was shocked. Russia always acts on retroactive basis. Anticipating your reaction -- don't worry, Russian illegals are all in the US already and still tiny %% of overall illegal crowd -- cannot name any countries out of political correctness. 
Sep 26, 2012, 10:55 pm
#49
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Sep 27, 2012, 3:58 am
#50
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
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The ball is in your court. A couple years ago VP Biden was in Moscow, then PM Putin who was his host offered him visa free regime. Biden was shocked. Russia always acts on retroactive basis. Anticipating your reaction -- don't worry, Russian illegals are all in the US already and still tiny %% of overall illegal crowd -- cannot name any countries out of political correctness.
Biden was shocked. Russia always acts on retroactive basis. Anticipating your reaction -- don't worry, Russian illegals are all in the US already and still tiny %% of overall illegal crowd -- cannot name any countries out of political correctness.
Sep 28, 2012, 7:53 am
#51
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), Hyatt Discoverist(?), Marriott/SPG Gold
Posts: 124
Haven't seen the hookers this week - but maybe I haven't been looking carefully. Usually I walk as fast as I can through the thick smoke of the lounge (cough cough).
I agree with the entry visa requirement - not a problem here.
I agree with the entry visa requirement - not a problem here.
Sep 28, 2012, 7:40 pm
#52
Join Date: May 2001
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 1,602
We are planning to vacation in Helsinki, St. Petersburg, and Moscow in Sept 2013, arriving by train in St. Petersburg for 5 nights at a fabulous property, the W. Then on to Moscow for 5 nights where we read the reviews to imply that it is a toss-up between the National and the Sheraton in September when it is cool for a Platinum.
Do any of you believe that we should absolutely favor one SPG property over the other in Moscow in September, and if so, which one?
We are secure in Helsinki with the Kamp and in St. Petersburg with the W, both outstanding properties which we have visited previously.
For those of you that have found the Visa requirements too restrictive, we would recommend the fast train from Helsinki to St. Petersburg, as one can cross the border having customs agents come to your seat and clear you while you have vodka and caviar on your train tray table.
Do any of you believe that we should absolutely favor one SPG property over the other in Moscow in September, and if so, which one?
We are secure in Helsinki with the Kamp and in St. Petersburg with the W, both outstanding properties which we have visited previously.
For those of you that have found the Visa requirements too restrictive, we would recommend the fast train from Helsinki to St. Petersburg, as one can cross the border having customs agents come to your seat and clear you while you have vodka and caviar on your train tray table.
Sep 30, 2012, 10:04 pm
#53
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), Hyatt Discoverist(?), Marriott/SPG Gold
Posts: 124
Depends on the experience you want (need?). Sheraton is definitely more American and business-like while the Hotel National is in a great location - practically across the road from Red Square.
If you're a W kind of person, the Sheraton is probably closer to what you want. However, the Hotel National's location is hard to beat. And I suppose if you want to hang out somewhere less worn while at the HN, the Ritz-Carlton is practically next door.
If you're a W kind of person, the Sheraton is probably closer to what you want. However, the Hotel National's location is hard to beat. And I suppose if you want to hang out somewhere less worn while at the HN, the Ritz-Carlton is practically next door.
Sep 30, 2012, 10:13 pm
#54
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
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Depends on the experience you want (need?). Sheraton is definitely more American and business-like while the Hotel National is in a great location - practically across the road from Red Square.
If you're a W kind of person, the Sheraton is probably closer to what you want. However, the Hotel National's location is hard to beat. And I suppose if you want to hang out somewhere less worn while at the HN, the Ritz-Carlton is practically next door.
If you're a W kind of person, the Sheraton is probably closer to what you want. However, the Hotel National's location is hard to beat. And I suppose if you want to hang out somewhere less worn while at the HN, the Ritz-Carlton is practically next door.
Oct 1, 2012, 2:49 am
#55
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,789
For those of you that have found the Visa requirements too restrictive, we would recommend the fast train from Helsinki to St. Petersburg, as one can cross the border having customs agents come to your seat and clear you while you have vodka and caviar on your train tray table.
Oct 1, 2012, 9:54 am
#56
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Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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But is this just about the procedure on the day of travel for entering the country or can a USA citizen avoid having to apply for a visa in advance to enter Russia? Can you then go elsewhere in the country, for example to Moscow, still with no visa? Can you leave by air from SVO? Do hotels hassle you about having no visa to record with the local police?
Oct 1, 2012, 4:19 pm
#57
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, AC Elite, Airmiles Gold, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
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But is this just about the procedure on the day of travel for entering the country or can a USA citizen avoid having to apply for a visa in advance to enter Russia? Can you then go elsewhere in the country, for example to Moscow, still with no visa? Can you leave by air from SVO? Do hotels hassle you about having no visa to record with the local police?
Oct 1, 2012, 8:12 pm
#58
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
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Posts: 5,207
Any foreigner can use Allegro train, a ferry or cruise ship to enter St Pete only visa free for 72 hours. Regular visa for anything else. But new visa agreement was ratified between US and Russia this summer, so it should be possible to get 3 year multiple entry now... And apparently easier too..
Oct 2, 2012, 6:26 am
#59
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Moscow
Programs: BAEC (Silver)
Posts: 248
False. Visa exemption is only in effect for ferries and sea cruises. Apart from St. Petersburg, also true for Anadyr, Sochi, Novorossiysk, Vladivostok, Korsakov, Kaliningrad, and Vyborg.
Oct 2, 2012, 7:52 am
#60
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,789
As a Helsinki local I am not exempt from Visa for Allegro, only the cruise. But I cannot speak for American passport holders.