Moscow news
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15-Jul-2008
Maxima Hotels, Minimal Price
An internet search for "London budget hotels" will yield numerous options in the city centre for under $200. Replace London with Moscow and the results are very different. There is a shortage of budget accommodation in Russia's capital, severely hindering its development as a tourist destination. However, the 3 star Maxima Hotels chain is one option for those unwilling to break the bank on a 5 star hotel.
Location
Maxima have about 400 rooms in three hotels, all of which are in the north of the city. Two of the hotels, the Irbis and Zarya are situated opposite each other; ten minutes walk from Vladykino metro. There are a few small cafes in the area, but very little to attract tourists, though Red Square is only 20 minutes away by metro. The Slavia has a more interesting location near the Russian Exhibition Centre, but is a bus ride, provided free by the hotel, away from VDNKh metro. Although the hotels are only a few stops outside the circle line, they are clearly not as convenient as some of the city centre hotels.
Rooms
The location is offset by the prices of the rooms, which start at $154 a night for a single room. All the rooms have a television and sofa and can also come with twin or double beds, starting at $173. The business rooms, from $230, have twin beds and a separate study with ample seating and a desk.
Like many of the five star hotels, Maxima have their own unique designs for their suites. Although Moscow is a long way from the sea, the Marine suite has the feel of a yacht, with blue curtains over circular windows and cabin doors to the bedroom and bathroom. Stretching across the living room there is a hammock, which is reportedly very popular with both honeymooners and businessmen. The suites start at $450 a night and there are also the Pistachio, Orange, Modern and Classic, all with distinctive designs, in the Irbis hotel.
Facilities
There are many of the same standard facilities in the Maxima hotels that there are in 5 star ones. The gym in the Irbis costs $21 per visit and can be used by guests of the Zarya too. The health centre also has a Turkish bath for $38 an hour, and a range of different massages starting at $21. The facilities in the Slavia are similar to those in the Irbis, but it also has a sauna costing $47 per hour.
About 60 percent of the hotels clients are businessmen and they are provided for by the hotels business centre. The Irbis conference hall seats up to 70 and costs $640 a day, or alternatively it can be divided into two smaller rooms. The meeting room seats 12 people around a table, at a cost of $214 a day.
The Zarya has similar facilities, including the large Picasso hall and the Gaunguin and Matisse meeting rooms. The largest is the Renoir, which costs $705 a day and can hold up to 80 people for theatre style presentations. Equipment is provided by the hotel at an extra cost, for example an LCD projector for $128 or a flipchart for $21. Both the Irbis and Slavia have a business center which charges per service. Wi-Fi is available in the lobby and some rooms but comes at an extra charge.
Dining
The Zarya lobby bar is pleasantly decorated but despite the chandeliers it is immediately evident it is not a 5 star hotel. Although the bars in the other hotels are slightly larger they too lack the magnificence of those in some of the grander hotels.
In each of the hotels there is a restaurant which serves Russian and European cuisine. The buffet breakfast is included in the room rate, while a business lunch costs approximately $8. In the Vladykino area the choice for eating outside the hotel is limited and guests would need to go to the city centre for variation.
Recommendation
The main drawback is the location in Vladykino, which has little of interest to tourists and few restaurants. Although VDNKh is a more interesting location for the Slavia, the bus ride to the metro can be inconvenient, particularly in the rush hour. However, these problems are compensated by the prices, which are cheap for Moscow, and the high standards, which are close to those of the 5 star hotels, with many of the same facilities.
By Ed Bentley
The Moscow News