Hotels

Moscow offers different types of accommodation options to its tourists' depending on their preferences and budgets. The centrally located Travelers Guesthouse, has been described as the second most important place in Moscow after the Kremlin', and it's the place to meet other budget travelers to swap travel information. If you've got more cash to throw around, there's a cluster of good but expensive hotels just a stone's throw away from the Kremlin. They include the National, one of the city's finest hotels, which has reopened after five years of renovation and it even includes a branch of Maxim's.

A. Recommended Hotels

Golden Ring Hotel

Address: 5, Smolenskaya ulitsa, Moscow, 119121, Russia

Golden Ring Hotel, completely refurbished and upgraded in 1998, is the latest addition to Moscow's luxury hotel scene. Located opposite the towering, gothic sky-scraper of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the hotel offers quick access to the Arbat, Moscow's favorite pedestrian street and an ideal place for visitors to stroll amongst the souvenir stalls and watch the lively street performers. Located just 3 minutes from Smolenskaya Metro Station, the hotel is not far from most of Moscow's downtown attractions. The Golden Ring offers and all the facilities you would expect from a modern 5-star hotel such as a comfortably furnished, air-conditioned room on its standard and executive floors. The hotel provides numerous dining options and excellent services, and nearby Arbat Street is home to many more restaurants offering Russian and International cuisine.

Metropol Hotel

Address: 1/4, Teatralny proezd, Moscow, 103012, Russia

Metropol Hotel, featuring 403 luxurious rooms and suites, is undoubtedly the most elegant of Moscow's historic hotels. Since, the Metropol has joined the line of Inter-Continental Hotels and Resorts Group, it has improved the quality of its service to equal its world-renowned and truly outstanding facilities. The elegant and stylish turn-of-the-century atmosphere transports the hotel guests back in time. Built between 1898 and 1903 in sumptuous Art Nouveau style, the hotel has witnessed many historic events and even featured in some of the scenes in David Lean's classic film Dr. Zhivago. Guest rooms combine old-style luxury with the latest in comfort, while the restaurants serve exquisite cuisines. Moscow's most exclusive hotel is located in the very heart of the city, opposite the famed Bolshoi Theater and just a few minutes walk from the Kremlin.

Sretenskaya Hotel

Address: 15, Sretenka, Moscow, 103045, Russia

Sretenskaya Hotel, Moscow is a small and comfortable hotel, perfectly located on a quiet Sretenka Street in central Moscow. The Sretenskaya is an excellent hotel option for visitors to the Russian capital, since; it provides comfy air-conditioned rooms, a fine restaurant and a host of modern amenities. You'll be impressed by the colorful interiors decorated in the best traditions of Russian folklore, cheerful and hospitable staff and modern creature comforts. The hotel supplements a quiet and relaxing stay and at the same time is only a short distance walk from all the major sights Moscow is renowned for.

Guest rooms offer individually controlled air conditioners, satellite TV, safety boxes and mini bars, while the facilities of the hotel range from the modern business centers to the fully equipped fitness center, cozy sauna and billiard tables. The Sretenskaya also offers a restaurant decorated in the Russian fairy tale style, which serves tasty European and Russian cuisines.

The winter garden is undoubtedly the most curious feature of this hotel as it tastefully combines exotic tropical plants with pleasant climate no matter what the season is. This makes it a huge hit with the children.

Tiflis Hotel

Address: 32, Ostoshenka Street, Moscow, 119034, Russia

Tiflis Hotel is a modern business hotel with a touch of elegance located in the very heart of Moscow and is just a few minutes drive from the Kremlin and the Red Square and close to the ExpoCenter on Krasnaya Presnya. This hotel offers the most modern amenities, such as individual air conditioning, comfortable courtyard, a spectacular fountain that operates during the warm months and soundproof windows. The service is very attentive and the staff is multi-lingual.

The Tiflis Hotel proves to be a good choice for tourists and business travelers alike owing to its excellent links to both tourist attractions and exhibition centers,.

Izmailovo Gamma-Delta Hotel

Address: 71, Izmailovskoe shosse, Moscow, 105318, Russia

Izmailovo Gamma-Delta Hotel was built in 1979 on the site of the historic Izmailovo village and Royal Estate, where Peter The Great grew up, and renovated in 1998. During the 1980 Moscow Olympics the complex was used to accommodating many of the athletes attending the games and although, not centrally located, the hotel offers clean and comfortable rooms at very reasonable rates. The hotel situated across the road from Izmailovsky Park Metro Station, is only 6 stops from Red Square and the center of the city. Of particular interest to tourists, is the neighbouring Izmailovo market, one of the city's major attractions due to its extensive array of traditional Russian gifts and souvenirs. The Izmailovo Hotel is a sensible option for those travelers who have a budget constrain.

The Belgrade Hotel

Telephone: +7 495 248-1643

Fax: +7 495 248-2814

Web: www.hotel-belgrad.ru

Facing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the Belgrade hotel. It is situated near the Arbat street, and the embassies of the US and the UK. The hotel's English-speaking staff and security are very pleasant and polite. The two categories of rooms that are available are renovated and old style.

Different types of renovated rooms include tourist (double or single), business, junior suite, suite, and suite king size. Different old style rooms include double and single. Prior reservations for rooms are necessary.

The tariffs for the rooms are:

Tourist - $120

Business - $160

Junior Suite - $200

Suite - $220

Suite King Size - $250

The SAS Radisson Slavyanksaya Hotel

Telephone: +7 (495) 941-8020

Fax: +7 (495) 941-8000

Web: www.radissonsas.com

Though the SAS Radisson, Slavyanksaya is a 4-star hotel and doesn't quite match up to the many 5-star hotels in Moscow, it has almost all the facilities provided by 5-star hotels like business centers, conference halls, boutiques, bars, and restaurants. The hotel also has a cinema hall, which screens English movies and it is very popular. The cost for a Standard Guest room costs $349 per night and that for a Superior Guest room would be $359 per night. The hotel is situated close to Arbat Street. However, due to the proximity of the Kievsky railway station, the view is not that great.

The Godzillas Hostel

Telephone: +7 495 299-4223

Web: www.godzillashostel.com

The Godzillas hostel is centrally located in Moscow. No other Moscow hostel offers this advantage. The hostel was started and is run by a westerner and is located near the metro Tsvetnoy Boulevard and occupies three apartments in a pre-revolutionary building. There are eight dorm rooms and two private doubles in the hostel. The atmosphere in hostel is quiet and warm. But there are just three bathrooms that everybody has to share. The prices per bed in a dorm room are $25 and $50 for a private room.

The hostel also offers a range of amenities such as kitchens, lockers, luggage room, safe, washing machine, and free Internet access for the guests. The English speaking staff is friendly and will help you find your way around the city.