[ophelia72]

Curious if there are any suggestions. We should be traveling real soon and Moscow is where we are starting. It has been suggested that we go a day early before heading out to our region to give us a day to recover and enjoy the city. Since it is only a recover day I don't want to spend an arm and a leg. I am sure there are real nice places that may not be 5 stars but are clean and comfortable. I trust my forum friends that in all the traveling that group has done that I will be directed to the most wonderful locale. Most appreciated

[DelMarie]

We stayed one night at the Ukrania. It is a large beautiful old grand looking building that still has original woodwork in the rooms, vaulted ceilings, etc...We liked staying in a Europian looking hotel rather than a cookie cutter chain. The rooms were suficient-not fancy but clean. The large windows overlook the Moscva River and you can watch the river boats go by. Also within walking distance of the river so that you can stroll along. If you travel soon you will enjoy long daylight hours. We were there in June and remember it being daylight still at 10:30 at night. The hotel has a wonderful buffet dinner and an outside observatory on the 60th floor to look out at the city.

[MatveysMama]

We stayed at the Belgrade at the end of Arbat street in Moscow. We were there for a total of about 13 days. It isn't fancy; but for an older, non western style hotel it was clean and mostly modern. The location was wonderful for the outdoor shopping and grocery store right across the street. Metro was less than a block away. You could walk to Red Square, but it would be a bit of a hike. I think anywhere in Moscow you are going to pay steep prices for lodging. It is just a very expensive city; however, I agree that staying in a less expensive, but less fancy spot is a great idea.

[ddahl]

Even though its a day to rest, I always felt better staying in an upgraded hotel. we stayed at the Radisson . I just do not have my records handy. It was very convenient, safe and clean with hot water every day.

Pricy but nice and with room service... my fav!
some info:


Nestled by the banks of the Moscow River, the Radisson SAS Slavyanskaya Hotel & Business Center, Moscow is adjacent to the new Europe Plaza, fountain and crystal bridge.
Located close to the Kremlin and historic heart of Moscow, our hotel offers panoramic views of the Russian White House, and Borodino Bridge.
Each of our 410 rooms and suites are fully equipped with high-quality amenities including Wireless Internet Access (WiFi).
Guests have access to the fitness centre with its large gym, whirlpool, steam and dry saunas and massage facilities.
The Talavera Restaurant features Mediterranean cuisine, while Cafe Amadeus and Bierstube serves an international menu.
Sumosan serves some of the best in Japanese cuisine and sushi in Moscow, while Russky is known for serving authentic Russian cuisine from the time of the tsars.
With 14 meeting rooms spread over 4,400 sq metres, we can accommodate a meeting for 15 or an event for 1,500.

[votemom]

be prepared for sticker shock. hotel rates in moscow in the summer are very, very high.

we stayed at the grand. it was just like any marriott hotel you'd stay in here in the u.s. so, if you like the idea of being able to count on a wonderful night's rest with no surprises, you can't go wrong at the grand.

but when you are back in moscow with your child on your trip home, i wouldn't recommend it. find an apartment - you'll have lots of space and it's a lot cheaper.

by the way, i do recommend getting there early. getting caught up on sleep will completely make a difference in how things go as you meet your referral.

[verukasalt]

We were only in Moscow with our son for the Embassy visit. We rented an apartment my husband found online. It worked out great! Maybe not as fancy as a hotel but we had a room for our son, a kitchen and more space. We were also within walking distance of the Kremlin and lots of great places to eat. It was perfect and we spent a lot less compared to the Radisson and other hotels in the area. We were lucky to travel in January and March so the rates were much more reasonable. You will have sticker shock during the summer in Russia although I'm sure it will be nice outside.

Have a great trip!

[kahoxworth]

We were in Moscow in November and wanted to stay at the Ukraina, but it was closed for renovations. Not sure if it has been reopened yet.

We also stayed at the Belgrade, both on our first day of arrival and when we returned from the region with our son. The first night by ourselves we just had a regular room, but when we came back with our son we got one of the really large rooms. There are a few floors at the top of the hotel that have been renovated, and that's where we stayed, however another couple who was traveling with us stayed on one of the older floors with the two boys they adopted and it was a perfectly serviceable room. It was actually more of a mini-suite, and had a separate bedroom and living room. In hindsight I wish we'd saved the money and stayed on an unrenovated floor.

I agree with MatveysMama, it was very convenient having the grocery store across the street, as well as being right at the end of Arbat to wander around. The Metro station was right up the block and was only one or two stops to Red Square. The breakfast buffet in the hotel was also pretty good.

[berry22]

We went a day early as well. We stayed in the Marriott Courtyard. It was in a good location and a nice hotel. The beds were not so comfy though. However, it was fine for our one night before heading to our region.

We have also stayed in the Novotel by the airport. It is not close to anything other than the airport though. It was not bad for a short stay though.

[cathvash]

I have repeatedly seen recommendations for both the Ukraina and the Belgrade. Neither is fancy, but both are reportably good values and are friendly to Americans.

I personally like the Arbat Hotel which is moderately priced and located close to the Old Arbat Street shopping district, where many shops and restaurants will be close by. They offer a super full breakfast with the rate and cater to business travelers and families who book the spacious suites. It is important to request a "rennovated room". This hotel is very secure and is in a nice and secure neighborhood. It's 2-3 miles to the Kremlin from there.

If you are just wanting a comfortable place to rest and are not hoping to do much sightseeing, I would recommend making things easy by just staying at the airport Novotel. If you are transferring to the Domestic terminal the next day, your facilitator can take you with your boarding passes by the domestic airport prior to checking in, and they will give you a pass for a VERY STEEP discount. I think it was like half of the usual price. The hotel is very "American" in feel, with a large arboretum and a couple of restaurants. I requested a quiet room facing away from the airport. You can have a swim at the heated inside pool and a wonderful massage to calm those jitters!

All of these places have English websites, so you can see which one "looks" like you! Have fun!

[ophelia72]

You guys are so wonderful! I knew I could count on you guys. Thanks for all the tips. I can not wait to share with my husband! Thanks again. Da svidaniya

[hg808]

This may not be an answer to your question, but my husband and I stayed in Moscow in the apartments offered by Peace Travel Services, both on our way to and from our region, and on Trip 2 as well. The apartments were centrally located in New Arbat area, close to historical center of the city and to many upscale supermarkets. This way, we avoided both the sticker shock caused by Moscow hotels and restaurants, and were able to walk to Kremlin and see much more than we would if we were dependent on a hotel shuttle.

Good luck with your choice.

[blueprints]

We stayed at Marriott Grande....... I would recommend it. They had special adoption rates, (breakfast buffet is included) you've got to ask when you book. We also stayed at Raddisons on our pickup, only because Marriott was booked, I was not impressed. Good Luck!

[mommyto4]

We stayed at the Marriot Courtyard and Ukraina. Both were nice, but personal preference, we preferred the more modern Marriot it also was walking distance to the Kremlin which was nice. Marriot did have adoption rates. Best wishes!