a) hopefully there will be a new promo in september
those coupons expire on 8/31

b) yes, the $208 weekend daily is from the website
weekdays start at $260
but i was only looking from 8/27 to 9/1

c) check expedia for other options
i saw august weekends at the 4 start Radisson for $168

d) and finally there is alwyas the rent an apartment route
that was my option if i couldnt find something affordable during the week days

e) if you stay at a marriott - the bonus bucks will drop you $50 a day for every 2 days
if you dont have your own
you can get them on ebay for $25 to $35 per $100

I've stayed at the Tver 3 times and like it.
As a Plat I got a very large room one of those two times
but not a suite in the conventional sense of two separate rooms.
The 'regular' room was fine; standard size as compared to similar properties in the USA.

I've mentioned this before: USE YOUR POINTS!!! @:-)

Russia Category 4 Moscow Marriott Grand Hotel

Category 4 Hotels


Code PM14: one night award for 15,000 points (regularly 20,000 points)
Code PM24: two-night award for 28,000 points (regularly 38,000 points)
Code PM34: three-night award for 41,000 points (regularly 55,000 points)
Code PM44: four-night award for 52,000 points (regularly 70,000 points)
Code PM54: five-night award for 63,000 points (regularly 85,000 points)
Code PM64: six-night award for 73,000 points (regularly 95,000 points)
Code PM74: seven-night award for 82,000 points (regularly 105,000 points)



http://marriott.com/rewards/memspec/sumptsvr.mi

Spent four nights at the Marriott Grand in Moscow earlier this month. Paid for the "executive" level room and lounge access and was a bit disappointed, but maybe by Moscow standards this was great for over $300/night. Was a basic functional room with courtyard non-view, lounge included the basic continental breakfast in the lounge and evenings canapes but you had to pay for any alcohol (e.g., 8 euros for 4 ounzes of basic wine, "red" or "white"). Wifi available for another 10+ euro/hour. Good food at Russian restaurant in hotel with live mandolin music night I was there.

Very poor in-room movie selection and it was not "on demand", e.g., had to watch at designated and often weird times if you were going to watch at all.

It was a five-minute walk to the Metro (Mayakovskaya), which was nice.

Not sure I'd stay there again for this price. But perhaps the Hilton Prague spoiled me (twice as nice for less than 1/2 the price).

Anyone been to the these properties in the last year?

Anyone have other opinions?

I was also looking at Le Royal Meridien National because they had similar rates (actually a little cheaper) and appear to be closer.

I just left a 3 night stay at the Royal in Moscow.

Overall, average rooms and lounge, below average service (although the butler service on the executive level was great).

I had arranged transportation at the airport, but on arrival there was no one – after a call and an hour wait I had a driver.

When I arrived at the reception, the first person to meet me was the transportation person holding papers. In a very aggressive tone explained that it was my fault that there was no transportation at the airport since I was early. I explained to her that I changed the dates 3 days before and have an email confirmation from the hotel – she said I did not have such confirmation.

Then at check in, they initially refused my rate – I had changed my rate 3 days before through the platinum line. I had to pull up my email confirmation, and they still did not honor it – after a call to someone they “agreed” to use the new rate.

At the end of registration, I asked about my platinum arrival card. They did not believe that I was a Platinum member and asked for my card. I explained that I do not carry my card, as my status is in my res. She said that I was “too young to be a platinum member,” but she will send the platinum card to my room – guess what, the card never arrived. I did ask for one at the executive lounge and after another confirmation of status, I received one.

Even though this hotel is the closest to Red Square, I will never stay there again.

Planning trip in the fall and I will be using points. Only downside is a couple of days are 'stay anytime'.

Right now have the Royal reserved and Ren in SPB.

Sounds like I'm on the right track.

All vacation so initially it seams more days in Moscow than SPB.

Is the Royal Aurora (cat 5) worth the extra points or should I save a few by booking at the Grand? Both are available as standard award for a Friday and Saturday stay next August. Thanks for the comments.

[QUOTE=frisbeeace;5831187]Is the Royal Aurora (cat 5) worth the extra points or should I save a few by booking at the Grand? QUOTE]\

I have the same question. Any current opinions?

Good questions to ask since it is an old thread and am not sure if the categories still hold. Also check tripadvisor.com

I've stayed at both (though its been about 4 years since I was at the Aurora). Unless you are going to go to the theatre and want to do it all dressed up I'd go to the Grand. Its 10,000 points a night less. I like the breakfast there better and the gym is good. There are more conferences/meeting type things often going on at the Grand if that bothers you.

The Aurora is closer to Red Square and you can easily walk there. The Grand is about a 15-20 minute walk.

Personally I always check for the cheapest price between these two and the Courtyard. Hope that helps.

Also, keep in mind that you can use point savers at the Ritz-Carlton.

This is by far the best hotel in Moscow! I have had the pleasure of being a guest two years in a row.

How far of a walk is the Marriott Courtyard from Red Square? Anyone?

deleted, meant to give advise on Mariott Tverskaya, which is different... no idea about Courtyard.

I'd also be interested in updates in Moscow on an award stay, particularly on lounge availability and access (I'm Gold) such as whether the lounges are open on weekends.