Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Bob Wiggs · Guest

I attempted to stay in Rossiya and lasted for two days. The last drop was Reception's refusal to accept a small parcel for me. And I always thought, silly me, that hotel Reception was for small favours like that. Not to mentiion calls of a certain nature at 1am.

In my search for accommodation I stumbled into Uncle Pasha's site. I saw that before leaving but thought a package deal from an agent would be easier. Like hell it was! I was lucky to rent his own apartment just across the river from Rossiya. He also maintains a list of rooms and apartments offered by their owners, which makes his pages a unique resource. His site is rather disorganized to put it mildly but underneath the mess is a well thought out and comprehensive solution to the needs of a business traveller to Moscow. I particularly recommend his wife's Moscow Survival Orientation Tour. The main page is www.unclepasha.com and with the rest I can only wish you luck.

I also heard well of the Travellers' Guest House but my understanding is that it is for young backpackers. Would a slightly tired of life 42 yo be out of place there? Please advise.

I'll be glad to answer your Russia-related questions when back home to Washington. Please write to b_wiggs @ abcd . net. The spaces in my address are to discourage spam, remove them when writing.

Bob

steven2046 · Frequent Guest Joined: 22 Jul 2003 Posts: 15 Location: UK

I stayed in hotel rossiya for one day last year. and I donot think I will stay there again.

I can stand the need-to-be-updated room condition which is not that important if I just need a bed to sleep.

But I should say, honestly, the service could be better.
also inviting a guest is just a nightmare!
the guest has to go to a guest office somewhere outside the hotel and fill in a register form.
I was with my guest there, so they ask to see my hotel card and his ID.and then they will give you several coupones.
In the guest office,I saw many people Q there to use the internal telyphone to call their host to come bring them in.
Each time you need to give one to the security guard in the hall.
and they alway stare at you like you are from the Mars.

going to moscow next week. will bring more information.

David M Rowell · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2003 6:21 pm Post subject:

The Rossiya hotel has an unbeatable location, and upper floor rooms overlooking the Kremlin have a million dollar view for a much lower nightly rate!

But, the 'service' there is about as surly as is ever possible. Two cases in point :

(a) I was once booked to spend two nights there, sharing a room with a lady friend. When we checked in, the receptionist told us we couldn't share a double room together because we weren't married! It took several hours (true!) of arguing about this point, including having hotel management all but stating openly that plainly the woman with me must be a prostitute, and their statement that they didn't want to wreck the good reputation of the hotel and the comfort of other guests by allowing an unmarried couple to stay together, before they made a special one-off dispensation to allow us to share a room.

(I'm told this no longer happens, but have no intention of finding out!)

(b) I arranged with their Sales Manager to bring a group of 22 US Travel Agents on a 'site inspection' of the hotel. This was a valuable opportunity for the hotel to showcase itself to 22 travel agents who in theory might then start recommending and selling it to their clients upon returning to the US. We arrived at the agreed upon time. One problem. The 'security guards' wouldn't let us in the front door, because we weren't registered hotel guests!

Both these experiences are now quite a few years old, but they remain vividly in my memory, even today. Rolling Eyes

steven2046 · Frequent Guest Joined: 22 Jul 2003 Posts: 15 Location: UK

Gosh

I

John · Guest

I have booked the Hotel Rossia for 3 weeks in December Sad

The travel agent said it was a reasonable hotel. They booked us into a renovated room. Can anyone tell me what these rooms are like. Thanks

Dan

Well the Uncle Pasha provides his own apartment for the resonable price. However for the comprehansive list of privatly owned apartments please refer to the http://www.waytorussia.net/Services/Accommodation.html

Guest House is merely backpackers place, however it is rather clean and calm.

Marriott is clients friendly and they don't have Soviet background - so they will not care about your ladyfriend status.

Brent · Lounge Lizard Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Posts: 91

I can also testify that the Hotel Rossiya is not worth staying at, even though it is a convenient location. They have rude service, strange rules, and overpriced rooms. I would recommend renting an apartment or staying at a nicer hotel even if it is farther away from the city centre. Moscow metro is great, so you should have no problem getting anywhere quickly.