Sadly now demolished (Rossija Hotel Moscow)

Member Name: Deb_C

Product:	Rossija Hotel Moscow
Date:	14/10/09 (16 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent location

Disadvantages: It's not there any more

I have very pleasant memories of a 4-day stay in the Hotel Rossiya in Moscow in 1998, whilst on a school history trip at the age of 15.

As we drove towards the hotel on the coach, I was feeling groggy from the travel sickness pills I'd taken for the plane, missing home & wondering why I'd ever wanted to come to Russia in the first place, thinking it would be boring and I'd hate it. As we approached the hotel, I pulled back the curtain on the coach window & looked out to see St Basil's Cathedral rising magnificently in front of my eyes. I have never before or since been so completely blown away by a building - it sounds like I'm exaggerating, but seeing the cathedral instantly changed my view of Moscow & I have loved the city & its architecture ever since. It was like nothing I'd ever seen before. So to be staying in a hotel immediately opposite the cathedral & Red Square in the centre of Moscow was a delight.

The staff were friendly & helpful, although communicating was often difficult if you didn't speak Russian. The rooms were clean & pleasant, & the food was very nice. The only bad thing I remember was the nightclub that took up part of the ground floor could be a bit noisy.

I was very sad when I recently discovered that the hotel had been demolished in 2006. It was in such a perfect position in the centre of a very beautiful city. It had been there since 1967 & used to be the largest hotel in the world.

Summary: Used to be a nice hotel right next to Red Square