[amanda_p]

I am just wanting some opinions on which hotel we should stay at if we ever get travel dates. They are both category 4 with our Marriott Visa card so cost isnt part of the equation.

[Amysue1112]

Hi Amanda! Waiting on travel dates..did you get a referral? So sorry if I missed that!

We stayed one night at the Courtyard and the moved to the Grand. I have significant back problems and their beds were harder than you can imagine! I swear, they felt just like boxsprings, lumpy ad all. My dh swears that they were only boxsprings! However, the hotel is very nice and modern and very conveniently located within close walking distance to Red Square and other attractions.

I think the Renaissance might be pretty far from Red Square, but I don't know anyone who stayed there.

I would still really consider an apt for trip 2...we can honestly say that this was the BEST decision we made i this process..well besides deciding to adopt!! :-)

[amanda_p]

No no referral yet, just looking ahead!!!

[papedge]

Renaissance we stayed here on second trip we paid 275.00 adoption rate was nice...Kim

[happycamper2]

I stayed at the Courtyard for trip 2. They have a play room with nice toys that came in handy. There was a grocery store and a pharmacy very nearby. We strolled down to Red Sqaure twice and I felt very safe in the area. The more casual of the two restaurants worked well for us. They had a high chair and big screen TV's. My DD loved watching the swim races and we got to dine more leasurely for having the entertainment ( not that I advocate TV but it was nice in this instance). The refrigerator / minbar was big enough to add some necessities. Staff was very friendly and English was no problem. THe business center was well equipped and the folks who worked there were helpful. I stayed at the Grand my last adoption and while it is more opulent, I found the Courtyard better located and better situated for a little one in tow. One advantage the Grand had was its glass elevator which we rode countless times. The Courtyard had no gift shop to speak of . I would stay there again.

[catmele]

Also just stayed at the Courtyard for Trip2 in August & agree with all the above comments. We enjoyed it & liked the location. We also stayed there on points.

[leeinmemphis]

we stayed at the Renaisance in 2004 on points and it was so nice! It was not "close" to anything to speak of but we were exhausted with two preschoolers so there was nowhere we were going at that oint anyways ha ha

alli

[jeni-b]

We stayed at the Reniassance in 2005. After 16 days in region, those beds were pure heaven! The rooms were nice, there was a fridge that was a fair size in the room, there is a grocery less than a block away, a large park across the street, the pool is nice. There are a few great restaurant option in the hotel and if you don't want to spend a lot on breakfast then there is a little bakery that sets up a inexpensive buffet. The drive to Arbat, the Embassy, and Red Square wasn't bad - even with the traffic.
Oh and each floor has a sitting are and plenty of room to let kids burn off some energy if the room starts closing in on you.

I would stay there again for sure, and probably will for trip 1. Trip 2 we are planning an apartment this time.

[russia06]

We did Reniassance for Trip 1 and Courtyard for Trip 2. Reniassance isn't near anything. The Courtyard is in walking distance of everywhere, including Red Square and Arabat Street. We would go back to the Courtyard if (when) we do it again.

[angelkisses0102]

We did not like the Ren. when we stayed there in 2004. It is on the other side of the city. We were happy with the Tverskya and Royal...but unimpressed with the Ren. The Courtyard is much newer and closer to everything.

Good luck and hope you get to make these reservations soon.

[MamaChinch]

We stayed at the Treverskya (sp?) on trip one, and it was nice and at the Courtyard on trip two. The Courtyard was great and it's in an excellent location to go out and sightsee and everything is in walking distance. The playroom was really nice to have available and the service was excellent. They even give the kids a little welcome teddy bear and note and some bath toys. Were there six days including a weekend, so I would say the best thing about it was the location, close to everything and stores and restaurants.

[Ebadge90]

We stayed at the Renaissance on trip 1, and when we landed in country on trip 2. If possible, upgrade to the VIP floor. Free drinks, like juice and water, all day long. Free continental breakfast, and hors deserves in the afternoon. The floor is locked, your room pass key gets you onto the floor. The locked floor would allow the children to do more walking because there is no way for them to get to the elevator or the stairs.
It is a good distance from most of the "tourist" attractions in Moscow. There is an outdoor market across the street, and there are 3 or 4 places to eat in the hotel, plus a pool, computers and workout room. There is also a money exchange in the lobby, with no limit on how much moeny can be exchanged.
If we ever go back, we will stay at the Renaissance again.

[SingleMama2B]

Hi Amanda.... I stayed at the Renaissance for both of my trips. Granted, it was further away from main attractions, but with traveling by myself, I needed a car (driver) anyway. The beds where glorious, spotless bathrooms, fridge, a "safe" in your room, wonderful buffet breakfast, great room sevice, and other restaurants in the hotel, I lived in the "Business Center" emailing family and friends, and even did some work from there. They where great, even when I couldn't sleep, I would go to thr front desk at 3:30AM, and they would open the business center up for me, so I could email. I also agree that if you can upgrade to the VIP floor, it is a great idea. I couldn't, as I was there the week of Christmas, and then again at the end of their National Holidays. The Ren. is in the middle of the Olympic Park. The Diving center is across the street, and several other venues around. There is a vary Large indoor mall right around there (about a 5 minute car ride), which has a huge grocery, and department store, also a McDonalds, and an indoor play area for kids with supervision. You sign them in, and then shop, and then come back to get them.... At first I didn't want to do it, but the translator said to, my DD was fine and had a great time!

I enjoyed the Ren. and would stay there again!