Street Address: Two locations... 10, 1rst Line of Serebryany Bor... and 49B, Tamanskaya Ulitsa - Moscow, Russia

Location: Far, far from Red Square, but delightful for its naturistic surroundings.

Nearest Metro: Polezhaevskaya

Staff Speaks English? Some do.

Would I Stay Here? Yes.

 * Prime Real Estate. Wonderful Salt Water Aquariums. Great Rooms *
* Unique, Hidden Moscow Location *

It's hard to believe that this is in Moscow. It is a hidden oasis of serenity, and an exclusive area with a gated security checkpoint maintained by police. This is a large island surrounded by the Moskva River. It is full of pine trees and old dachas, mixed in with expensive new houses. It sure doesn't feel like Moscow, but it is!

For me, this hotel was a very pleasant discovery. As of 3/26/2004, prices range from $148 to $318 at the 1rst Line location, where they have 23 rooms inside a gated compound. Everyone is friendly here, even the security guards. The corridors and rooms are very comfortable. There is a nice 20 meter indoor pool and fitness center. A small fitness area and sauna is there. I love their little restaurant! They've got a ceiling that has star light. And best of all they have 2 very big salt water aquariums - the best I have seen in Russia.

I love this little hotel!

Then I walked to their other location, which is about a 10 minute walk away. I loved it here too. Room rates are $20 less. And they have just 12 rooms at this location. I like the rooftop patio. In the summer, guests are able to relax up there, an area surrounded by pine trees and upscale homes. The rooms have interesting fabric on the walls. The rooms were so comfortable to me. Each room has a stereo, a nice finish on the furniture, and a jacuzzi in the bathroom.

Both locations are a great place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Wonderful rooms, friendly, well-mannered staff, so peaceful, very good security. It is like a countryside retreat in a pine tree forest. The surroundings are much different from any place else in Moscow.

Trolley buses can bring you here and take you to the metro. The trolley bus stop is an easy walk to get to. There are a couple local places to eat on the island. I hear there is a nude beach nearby.

Great place! But it will take 30 to 40 minutes by car to get to the center of the city if there are no traffic jams. After you leave the island, you are back in the apartment building jungle of Moscow.

Salyut Hotel      K     +7 (095) 234-9371           www.salyut.ru

Street Address: 158 Leninsky Prospect - Moscow, Russia

Location: Poor.

Nearest Metro: Yugo-Zapadnaya ...far, far away.

Staff Speaks English? No.

Would I Stay Here? Yes, in one of their renovated rooms, but only if I couldn't find a better located hotel.

* Grudgingly, They Showed Me The Rooms *

The Salyut is quite a large hotel. It was completed in 1980 in time for the 1980 Olympic Games. Upon arriving I walked in and saw that the lobby has had an incomplete renovation. And I don't like the design.

At the front desk, they passed the buck and sent me to the director's office. The person in that office said it was impossible to see any rooms because they were all occupied. That's 1200 rooms! Fully booked, huh? Well, she caved in and grudgingly showed me some rooms. First she said she would show me their worst. I saw old dark corridors with carpet that needed replacement. Room "0710" was basic and old, but not horrible. Then she took me to one of two "superior class" floors. Wow, everything is new on the 11th floor. I saw room 1126. The bathroom was really nice. But the bedroom had a decor that was a bit tasteless. Next I went to the 15th floor. I was surprised again. This floor was nicer! I saw their business-class room 1502. It was air conditioned, had a really, really nice bathroom, but small twin beds. It was a comfortable room. Next I saw 1503, which was a single. It is also brand new - very nice.

Each floor has a "key lady;" that's the old style of hotel operation, which is fairly common in Russia.

On the ground floor is a nice oriental style cafe - it looks brand new. There is a fairly new hotel restaurant, but I felt it did not have the ideal atmosphere. Casino gambling/slot machines are there, plus a strip bar. They say they are trying to improve the hotel a little bit at a time.

Room prices are listed between 1150 to 3800 rubles (as of March 24, 2004). The location is quite bad in my opinion. You will need a driver if you stay here.

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