Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Rossiya Hotel has been a blot on central Moscow's architectural landscape since the mid-Sixties, when a swathe of medieval churches and historic housing was demolished to make way for this behemoth, with its own concert hall, numerous restaurants, and a 50m swimming-pool. Its hard-currency shop was long a favourite destination for privileged Soviets and foreigners in search of food and luxury items unavailable elsewhere. Today, although service and facilities have improved, the jukeboxes in the foyer and the cigarette smoke over dinner ensure that the Rossiya remains an essentially Russian hotel.
Location, location, location
6 Varvarka ulitsa, Moscow (00 7 095 232 60 46, English spoken; fax 00 7 095 232 62 48) Metro: Kitay-Gorod.
Location is the main reason for staying at the Rossiya – it really doesn't come any better, being on the left bank of the Moskva river, with breathtaking views over the Kremlin, St Basil's and Red Square. The intimate churches and museums that survived the modernisation of the Kitay-Gorod district are adjacent. All of central Moscow's cultural treasures, shopping and nightlife are within reach.
Time to international airport: Sheremetyevo airport is 20 miles away: depending on traffic, the journey takes 45 minutes or more by car.
Are you lying comfortably?
This is Europe's biggest hotel, with 3,000 rooms spread over four multi-storey towers; and it's easy to get disoriented in its various wings. There are two categories of bedroom: non-renovated (Soviet-era, and best avoided) and renovated. The latter rooms are modest but clean and comfortable.
Freebies: None. Russian towels tend to be thin cotton affairs, so don't be surprised by a lack of fluffy towels.
Keeping in touch: International calls can be made from rooms, but internet access is available only in the business centre, at a price.
The bottom line
A renovated double on the west side (Kremlin view) currently costs 4,520 roubles (£90), while a renovated single is 3,361 roubles (£67).
I'm not paying that: Given its location, and compared with the stratospheric prices charged in Moscow's more luxurious hotels, the Rossiya is excellent value. However, the Traveller's Guest House (00 7 095 971 4059), 50 Bolshaya Pereyaslavskaya, 10th floor (metro: Prospect Mira) is Moscow's best-known budget option – a bed in a five-person dormitory costs £10, while an en-suite double is only £30.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments