druckerm

Has anyone stayed at this hotel within the last 6 months or so? Trying to find out if the service has improved, if there are a lot of renovations going on etc..
It seems ideal for location but haven't heard such great things. Previous messages from people on this board aren't the best. Looking for a good location but not expensive...moderate price..Thanks

KenSue

The last I heard the Hotel Rossiya was being torn down. It likely will be replaced with a new, more expensive hotel with fewer floors. My last visit to Moscow was in 2001. We stayed in the Intourist Hotel (a little more than a block from Red Square), but it was demolished in 2002. It, too, was a little in need of renovation, but the price was reasonable. I'm not sure where we'll stay on our next trip, but likely an apartment on the Old Arbat.

katya_NY

As of October, the Rossiya was still standing, but I'm not sure now.

For a central location have you looked into the Nationale? It isn't cheap, but it is much less expensive than the foreign run hotels.

Alexey

The hotel Rossiya in Moscow has been closed and will be pulled down - a number of much smaller hotels are supposed to be build in its place. A not-so-expensive alternative in the city center is the hotel Budapest (cheaper than National).

sgsg

Hi Katya_NY:

Is the Hotel Nationale you mentioned in your replay the same hotel as Le Royal Meridien National located just across the Kremlin? I though they are also run by foreigner (i.e. Meridien). Any way, have you stayed there and how do you find its quality (room, service etc.)?

Thanks,

sgsg

kopp

Hello sgsg,

I always enjoy postings about Russia. So glad to see y'all going that way!

We stayed at the National Hotel just 2 summers ago. Quite a bit more pricey than we're used to (seems like it was around $300/night), but after a less-than-acceptable experience before at a lower class hotel, I wanted a much better experience.

And we sure got our money's worth. The location can't be beat. It's directly across the street from Red Square. For cheap eats, there's an underground shopping center right there as well with a food court for fast food cheap. The hotel breakfast (included in our rate) was not only delicious, every type of anything you'd want, including cooked-to-order eggs, but the view is breathtaking. Huge picture windows looking right at Red Square and the Kremlin. Nice way to start each day.

The rooms were very comfortable, bathroom spacious. Good drinking water out of the tap, too. They filter it.

The service was terrific, from the doorman to the concierge. Only problem was with housekeeping - and it's really not a negative, but I'm just not used to someone coming in and out of my room every time I leave, replacing towels every time I wipe my face (literally!). So we just put up the do not disturb sign after awhile, and that worked out better. But we got the slippers (I still have them!) and robe, turndown service, chocolates on pillow, lots of pampering.

Enjoy Russia!
Happy travels!

sgsg

Thanks kopp for the info on National. Compared to Ararat Hyatt, this hotel is "cheap". That is why I was wondering if National is up to the standard of Hyatt, Kempinski, Mariott Royal Aurora etc. Any insights on this? Thanks.

sgsg

Garfield

For a review of the Rossiya Hotel and the National Hotel see: http://www.visitmoscow.com/new_page_40.htm

kopp

Great link, Garfield!

The last photo is the view from the breakfast room! What a way to be greeted each morning. Of course, we lingered at bit longer there each day just to savor it all.