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I will meet my RW for first time in Moscow late June-early July for eight days.  She's from Ekaterinburg and neither of us have ever been to Moscow.  I hope someone can advise me whether my tentative hotel plans are do-able.  

I plan to spend first and last nights at Novotel because I'm told it's upscale and very near SVO.  Mid-visit six days I want to stay near city center for ease of touristing, restaurants, disco, etc. Novotel rate is 180/night for two persons, from sergei@go-russia, but I want to stay under that rate in downtown hotel if possible. May not be.  

I'm told Novotel gives free transport to city center and SVO, but Novotel is not good place to stay for full eight days because it's far out of town. Sergei also writes of hotels Budapest, Marco Polo, and Radisson Slavyanskaya, but I know nothing about them. Any recommendations? Any driver info?

Please give advice from your experiences that would help me confirm or change my tentative plans. Thanks very much.

... in response to Novotel question, posted by Burt on May 22, 2002

Novotel is close to the airport but it's a far cry from "upscale". Once you leave the lobby you can imagine that your at a Motel 6. Hardly worth the price IMO. The only reason that I was there was because Aeroflop screwwed up my connections.

I'm with Jack on staying at the Rossiya. It's right on Red Square with all the must see sights very near. The Metro is only a block or so away. Besides, you will get a good taste of Russian "culture" that you won't at Novotel.

The last time I stayed there (12/01) it was only $35 for a double room but if your lady is staying with you be sure that her name is on the reservation along with yours or you will have problems and end up staying in separate rooms.

If I were to go back though, I would stay in a flat...

... in response to Re: Novotel question, posted by Rags on May 25, 2002

You can get a ride back to the airport from the taxi service at the Rossiya for only $15. It costs $30 to be picked up at the airport (regular taxis charge $65) and can be arranged when you make your reservations.

... in response to BTW..., posted by Rags on May 25, 2002

I didn't know that, $15 from Rossiya. That is a good price for most places and a GREAT price for Moscow!

... in response to BTW...good  information., posted by Jack on May 25, 2002

Yeah I thought it was a heck of a deal. You don't even need to be registered at the hotel, just go to the "Taxi" desk right inside the door to the lobby.

... in response to Re: Good  information..., posted by Rags on May 26, 2002

You know Rags, I think that probably the taxi is headed towards the airport anyway, why not get paid something for it. I know what I will pay for my next trip to the Moscow airport!

... in response to Novotel question, posted by Burt on May 22, 2002

I agree with Jack that it is much better to stay in the city center. The airport is way far away from everything you will want to do. By staying in the center you will not only be closer to all of the main places to see, you will *feel* more like you are in Russia. Airport hotels have a way of stealing the feeling of being where your at.

... in response to Novotel question, posted by Burt on May 22, 2002

$180 a night for two nights, that's $360. So you save the $35 from and to the airport, so now the hotel's value is $290 for the two nights (or $145 average per night). But nothing really great to see or do so close to the airport and I think you will be spending time, about 45 minutes each way, traveling to the center from Novotel.

Your options,...flats about 20 minutes from the center, $50.  Flats in the center, $85 to $120.

Hotels,....several hotels in the center, $175 to $250 a night (Marriots, Hiltons, etc.) and several flats in the center for $80 to $100. Hotels further from the center $70 to $170.

To me there is not a better location hotel than the Hotel Rossia. 3.5 minutes walk to St. Basil's (Red Square). The cost per night at the Rossia, $80. Or at the opposite end of Red Square from Rossia, on Tverskaya Street (across the street from the old Intourist Hotel), 5 minutes walk to Red Square, you can get a nice two bedroom flat for $85 a night (if it is available during your stay).

I enjoyed the Hotel Rossia. It's not nearly as fancy as many other places but I just needed a place to sleep. And as I would always give the floor ladies a gift, I never had any problems with having guest come to my room.

A few of many other options,...

Grand Hotel Mariott,    m. Mayakovskaya     173$    211$
Natsional, m Ohotniy Ryad (Krasnaya sq.)    169$    236$
Golden Ring,   m. Smolenskaya               132$    160$
Savoy, m. Kusnetskiy                        187$    206$
Sheraton Palace Hotel , m. Relorusskaya     182$    205$
Mezdunarodnaya,   m. Krasnopresnenskaya     121$    143$
Airostar,  m.Airoport                       160$    170$
President, m. Oktyabrskaya                  126$    154$
Iris,   m.  Petrovsko-Rasumovskaya          126$    150$
Marko Polo Presnya, m. Mayakovskaya         121$    167$
East-West,  m. Tvers                        115$    170$
Renessance Moskva,  m. Kievskaya            155$    180$
Mariott Tverskaya, m. Relorusskaya          151$    176$
Radisson Slavyanskaya,  m. Kievskaya        110$    136$
Budapesht  Petrovskiye Liniyi               70$     100$
Ukraina Kievskaya                           60$     70$

Or Burt, go to www.hotels.msk.ru/moscow/hotall.asp  to look at and compare other hotels.

Burt, in my opinion I am not sure I would stay at Novotel. I think you will be better off in the center. If you prefer a flat over a hotel just holler.