General information

Moscow’s hotel situation has noticeably improved since Russia became an independent state in 1992. Across the city modern hotels have risen and grand residences of the past have been refurbished to their past glory. Further development is likely to continue as several well-known international hotel operators listed Moscow as their top priority location for expansion. It should be noted, that despite all the improvements, the Western standard hotel market is currently skewed towards the higher end 4- and 5- star business class hotels, with a great shortage of 3-star properties in the city.

Moscow’s favourable business environment has led to local hotels currently experiencing extremely high occupancy rates; prices are likely to change quickly and should always be checked.

Hotel Categories

With the improving economic environment in Russia, and its continued move toward full integration into the world’s markets, the choice of accommodation has never been greater. However, there are certain obstacles and visitors unfamiliar with Moscow will find that their choice of hotels is confined to that of two broad categories: prestigious, luxury hotels, and cheaper, plainer “savok” or soviet-era hotels.

During the USSR, the tourist market was monopolized by the state company "Intourist".

The state made fruitless attempts to apply western service standards to its hotels. Today these not so picturesque, so-called “savok” hotels often appear worn-out and still dismay foreigners. The management rarely takes notice of the guests’ needs and sometimes there is no hot water. On the other hand rooms are usually clean.

Luxury hotels are often owned by well-known international hotel operators. Service is similar to that of the best hotels of the West, but double room occupancy is more expensive and rarely costs less than $200 a night.

Many hotels occupy historic pre and post revolutionary buildings and have rooms combining antique furniture with modern facilities.

Hotels worth mentioning are: the Ararat Park Hyatt, the Marriott Grand, the Kempinski-Baltchug and the Savoy.

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Facilities

All Moscow luxury hotels provide those facilities which would be expected from any expensive hotel in the West. These include television (often satellite), business facilities, such a message taking service and meeting room, mini-bars, a laundry service and 24-hour room service. All rooms have a bathroom with a bath and/or a shower. However, fitness or swimming pool facilities are only available in a small amount of hotels.

Rooms in an ex-soviet hotel always contain a television, a fridge and a telephone. International calls from these rooms are expensive and may not be easy to make if they have to be booked through the operator. En-suite bathrooms with a bath or shower are also standard. Ex-soviet hotels, particularly the cheaper places, do not often have sophisticated room service, although laundry can usually be arranged.

Many ex-soviet hotels still have a rather exotic Russian phenomenon- the “dezhurnaya.” As one of their duties, these sometimes rather fearsome ladies look after guests’ keys while they are out. Visitors should make sure they do not lose the card that was given to them when the keys are handed in, as sometimes they have to be shown to get back in through the main entrance. Friendly relations with the dezhurnaya will increase the chances of receiving good service or obtaining food and drink at unusual hours.

All the hotels have bars and restaurants. The luxury hotels contain some of the city’s finest restaurants, but do not expect to find a bargain here. Ex-Soviet hotels tend to be less flexible about mealtimes, and the food is much less exciting. Continental breakfasts are the norm in luxury hotels. In ex-soviet establishments guests usually help themselves from a large buffet which includes eggs, cold meats and bread. Breakfast is not usually included in the room price Russian tourist and hotel business had its own typically Russian way of development. So you shouldn't be surprised or shocked if the receptionists in the 4-star hotel don't speak English; neither should you be if the hot water is cut off in summer.

It is possible to make a reservation at most hotels directly by phone or fax, but in order to avoid mistakes and inconvenient misunderstandings we thoroughly recommend you contact our company visitorline.com, whose specialists will take care of everything for you.

Travelling with Children

Russians idolize their children, but this rarely seems to translate into hotel facilities for families. In most hotels it should be possible to have an extra bed put in a room for an additional fee, and most luxury hotels provide babysitters. Generally, however, hotels are more interested in business guests or tour groups, so do not expect to find extensive facilities for children or special rates for families.

Details of your stay and additional requests can always be discussed with the administration over the phone. However visitorline.com is more than happy to help you organize any special services you may require for your family holiday

Disabled Travellers

Few hotels in Moscow have wheelchair access, and those that do generally have few facilities. Disabled travellers should check with their travel agents or with the hotel beforehand, to ensure the hotel is equipped with any necessary facilities

Security

While many of the dangers of life in Moscow are exaggerated, hotels (particularly those owned by foreign companies) take security very seriously. Do not be surprised to see security men with walkie-talkies next to the entrances of even the most refined establishments. Luxury hotels all have safe-deposit boxes and hotel guests generally have few problems with personal safety.

Ex-Soviet hotels also have a very good security record. Porters keep undesirables out, and the dezhurnaya on each floor keeps a pretty close eye on her own patch. There is also a good old soviet tradition which doesn't permit visitors to stay in your room after 11 p.m.

However, as in other major cities, tourists are often targets for petty criminals. Take particular care when leaving the hotel, as pickpockets are known to hang around outside tourist hotels.

Hotel Locations

Most luxury hotels are within a 15 minute walk from the main sights.

When choosing a hotel, visitors should think about how they want to get around the city and take into consideration whether or not they will have a car and driver or will be using taxis.

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Making Reservations

Just like in the days of the Soviet Union all accommodation had to be arranged before coming to Russia.

Today it is still impossible to get hold of a tourist visa without pre-booking but, once there, it is possible, in theory, to walk into any hotel and book a room on the spot.

It should be noted that many of the luxurious hotels get booked up quite a while in advance, particularly during weekdays and especially in the period between May and the beginning of September.

In the Ex-Soviet hotels, a “Savok” mind-set left over from the days of restricted travel makes the hotel staff very wary of guests walking in off the street wanting a room.

In order to avoid any misunderstandings, when booking a hotel room independently, we advise you request a written confirmation from the hotel’s administration. Reservations at any hotel can be made either in the hotel’s booking department or via visitorline.com, which generally offers much lower prices than the hotels themselves.

Payment

Book with visitorline.com and don’t pay standard rates.

Although, luxury hotels generally quote prices in a foreign currency (usually US dollars) it is illegal to pay in any currency other than rubles. All luxury hotels in Moscow accept credit cards. Ex-soviet hotels rarely quote prices in dollars and very few will take anything other than cash (in rubles). Travelers’ checks are generally not accepted.

Visitors should also bear in mind that luxury hotels frequently quote prices exclusive of VAT and city tax; shockingly this can add more than 20 per cent to the bill. Tax rates in Russia are liable to change at short notice.