“Good on a budget, improved over some older reviews”

The rooms in the hotel, in our wing at least, have been renovated and not that long ago. Our room was nonsmoking. The rooms looked better than the other travellers' pictures. The hotel rooms look like budget hotel rooms and don't have log walls. The walls had some scuffs, but the paint isn't old, t… Mehr

The rooms in the hotel, in our wing at least, have been renovated and not that long ago. Our room was nonsmoking. The rooms looked better than the other travellers' pictures. The hotel rooms look like budget hotel rooms and don't have log walls. The walls had some scuffs, but the paint isn't old, the tiles in the hall and bathroom appear fairly new, a year or so old. And the mattresses, curtains and linens were fairly new, too. We also had air conditioning that couldn't be adjusted, but kept the room to a comfortable 23 C. The room was also well cleaned (and I am fussy about that), with a TV and desk. All the information in the hotel room about the amenities is in Russian, and the buffet breakfast, offers a broad choice of traditionally Soviet fare, including pickles and coleslaw. But it also includes some salamis, cheese, hard boiled eggs, fresh cooked blini, porridge, pastries, and much more. The common areas were not air conditioned, though. Rooms in the motel are also unairconditioned. And while there is free wifi, it is only in the entrance hall and front bar. The common areas have not been updated much/at all since it was built for the 1980 Olympics. So that will also be a back to the USSR experience. However, when it was built, it was considered one of the best resorts in the country. They have many amenities, with free use of the pool from 9-12am. There is a sauna, spa services, massage, manual therapy (like chiropractic), a bowling alley, places to play table tennis and beach volleyball (although not on an actually beach, there is a sandy area for it), and more. There are free and paid places for grilling by the river and an area for camping. An aquapark is under construction. And you can bring your dog or cat for 300 roubles a day. All in all, not bad for the budget traveler. I would recommend that you eat breakfast at the hotel, but plan to eat your other meals in town, which is a leisurely 20-30 minute walk across the river or a 100 rouble taxi ride. We came back to the hotel from the center in a horse-drawn carriage for 1000 roubles, but others were quoted 2500 for the same trip.

Weniger

“A Bit 'Run-down' but Still Nice”

This center was open during the Soviet times just before the 1980 Olympics, held in Moscow, to put up foreigners visiting the Russian capital and the so-called 'Golden Ring' towns. Then it looked like a modern Russian "terem" (a fairy-tale palace or mansion) and it also became the site of numerous … Mehr

This center was open during the Soviet times just before the 1980 Olympics, held in Moscow, to put up foreigners visiting the Russian capital and the so-called 'Golden Ring' towns. Then it looked like a modern Russian "terem" (a fairy-tale palace or mansion) and it also became the site of numerous movies set there in the Soviet times. But the time passes and something that seemed perfect some 30 years ago nowadays may appear just inadecquate. To be honest, I have to say that the whole complex is now being done up and the room we stayed in has been redecorated and refurbished recently, I think and it was impecably clean and everything worked properly. But the design of the windows... This is something that most travelers complain about. We were lucky as when it is 22-24 degrees C you can open the window and enjoy the fresh air. But as long as the temperature is higher or vice versa even a bit lower, it will be too hot or cold in the room. It is certainly quite a job, but they have to make a decision of replacing the window frames. Wi-fi is impossible in the room that is why there are always so many people in the main lobby and in the lobby bar. There is a TV in the room but with a limited choice of even Russian TV-channels let alone foreign ones. In the lobby there are quite a few souvenir-shops and desks at which you can learn some traditional Russian craft. It is good for children, but we fail to find any children's game rooms or playgrounds around in quite a large territory of the tourist center. The food is tasty and the prices are reasonable there, but breakfast is more varied at weekends than on weekdays (perhaps, it depends on the number of guests at the hotel). As we were quite a way from the restaurant (it took us a few minutes going along the seemingly endless corridors to get there), our room was really quiet and we had a good sleep. The swimming pool is OK, but if you are not in a hurry, do find out the best time to go there (it is free for guests between 7 a.m. and noon), as you may find lots of kids practising there. The territory wants some renovation too. Perhaps, some beach area at the River Kamenka, mini-golf and some playgrounds and tennis or volleyball courts could be a good idea. Now the aquapark is being built just opposite the center which of course will draw more tourists there. If everything I mentioned is done, this center could be the best place to stay in Suzdal. Although it is not close to downtown, the whole place is very picturesque and you can either walk to see the main sights (some of them are nearby) for some half and hour, or call a taxi (it is about 3 USD these days). Still it is not a bad place to stay if you want both to relax and see a quaint old Russian town - one of its ancient capitals.

Weniger

“Nice but really Hot Rooms!”

Nicely located hotel with nice open grounds and a river to explore along with a bridge and path to a nearby Monastery which has been converted into a museum. The hotel restaurant provides good but basic food and is one of the few air conditioned areas of the hotel which gives a nice break from the … Mehr

Nicely located hotel with nice open grounds and a river to explore along with a bridge and path to a nearby Monastery which has been converted into a museum. The hotel restaurant provides good but basic food and is one of the few air conditioned areas of the hotel which gives a nice break from the heat. The room I had had clearly been recently refurbished and was well appointed with a good, clean bathroom with shower and comfortable beds but with a window that barely opened. The weather was extremely warm when I was there, 31C during the day, but like Western Canada it cooled off in the evening to below 20C so the main hotel buildings were generally fine despite the lack of air conditioning. Sadly the rooms lacked any means to get the beautifully cool evening air into them due to huge, double-glazed glass panels which barely opened at all. The result was the the room generally reached the maximum outside temperature and stuck there. Trying to sleep in 31C is hard especially when the outside air temp is below 20C. If they replaced the single glass pane, hinged at the bottom, with two panels hinged at the sides which opened fully this would be a great hotel. As it is the appalling design of the windows makes this a terrible place to stay when the temperature is hot and I say this as someone who lives in a house without air conditioning (but with windows that open!) in a similar climate. Note the low rating given for the room is entirely due to the excessive heat. If you can get a room with either air conditioning or a window that opens properly I'd give the room a 4/5.

Weniger