Reviews

Review

This hotel is not to be missed. It is like walking into the cold war. It was years ago (when the streets were barricaded to stop the tanks -1991) that I stayed there, but from other reviews it has changed little. If you go do not expect plush american style rooms. The room I was in was very worn and had a primitive bathroom and sagging bed. There wer few light bulbs and the hallway was dark and in the room the curtains were almost ripped off the curtain rod. The evening saw hookers in the halls soliciting business, and the key ladies were not the jolliest of souls. However, they warmed up with a free pack of Malboros tossed their way. I note that the key ladies are now gone. The food was decent and the upper restuarant was actually good. The goons at the front door were like the mafia and keep out the locals and lounged about like bad guys. Yet, all this added to the exotic flavor of staying in a great old hotel. This hotel was used in filming the movie Russia House with Sean Connery and Michelle Pfieffer. Do go and enjoy but beware that it is not The Ritz. If I returned I would want to go back just for the fantastic building with its nooks and crannies and mysterious restuarants and hallways. It is a place to explore. Unfortunately, I did not get a room with a view and I was there a week. Be sure and try to get one. I do remember the deep tub and the heated towel racks with thin unmatching towels. Again, it is like being in a spy movie. The Russian White House and the old US Embassy are nearby and you can walk to a Pizza Hut or town. A very unique place.

Review

I stayed in September of 2006 and it was a marvelous experience. I have always loved the building and its style from pictures but never ever thought i would have the chance to stay there. I was a dream realised to stay at this wonderfuly piece of history from the Stalin era and so interesting to trhink that so many people from history including Stalin himself had walked through that entrance. The breakfast was simply marvelous, the variety of food amazing. The place is so huge its mind blowing and so spacious with l,ounge areas on differenct levels. I found the stayy great especially the girls on the telephone counter area. The girls in the Internet section were charming and helpful, and reception area also was excellent. I found the restaurants in the hotel to be some what expensive but the food excellent. The view from my 6th floor window was down into the lovel inner park courtyard area. I enjoyed the furnishings in their 50's style and the bed was very comfortable. It was nice to have a writing desk to sit at and special pen and paper provided. The hotel is situated in a great spot by the river with wonderful views to the city and the Russian Parliament building. It is handy to river cruise boats and trhere are lovely parks nearby to walk. Gtiing across streets like lots of places is difficult but there are great shops and restaurants within walking distance including supermarkets. The lobby area is an amazing marble wonderland and the chandeliers in the various restaurants and lobby areas are wonderful. It is also handy to the Metro and to trolly bus stops. I am so pleased to have had the chance to stay there and hope one day i can return there.

John William

Previous reviewers have missed out the best bit about the Hotel Ukraine as its also the film location of the recent BBC action thriller 'Archangel' starring Daniel Craig as Christopher ( Fluke ) Kelso on the trail of hidden murky secrets from the Soviet Unions past. If you read the Robert Harris book during your flight to Moscow and enjoyed the DVD, then you must see the Hotel Ukraine.

James Eldridge

I was at the Ukraine for 10 days at the end of January / early February 2006. The place is massive. My room was typical post Soviet - the bed was very narrow and the mattress was well used. But - the room and bath were clean and there were no bedbugs. The area where the key ladies once sat on each floor is now open, wasted space. Another reviewer here mentions surly hotel security staff. I certainly experienced now saw nothing like this. As a matter of fact I only saw one security person check a backpack once. The rest of the time these fellows either stood in the lobby or walked around, always in a black suit, with walkietalkie in hand - but doing what I have no idea. Certainly they did not keep the house call girls from reporting to work around 9PM. The lobby bar was from then until around 2AM or so always an eclectic mix of Canadian oil patch guys, trade show visitors from Japan, German professionals, some Russian business types, an American and his wonderfully beautiful and entertaining Russian fiancee, 10 - 12 working girls and your humble reviewer. There is a business center with Internet access - 10 roubles / min. I counted four restaurants, a casino, a very expensive jewlerly store that always seemed to be empty, souvenir stands, currency exchange, train ticket kiosk - all the services one needs. The mineral water and soft drinks are overpriced at the lobby bar - but the bar is open 24 hr. During the day there is a grocery store directly across the street where one can get all essential supplies at a fraction of the cost inside the hotel complex. The breakfast in the morning was a feast. I ate so much each day that I only had a snack in the afternoon. Given the prices of other hotel choices in Moscow - I believe I received a fair value.

Gorm Lyhne

After having stayed in various Moscow hotels, the Ukraina has become my personal favourite. When I visit Moscow once or twice per year, it is for exhibitions at the ExpoCentr and the hotel is not only close to the exhibition, but also very reasonable priced when considering the services rendered. I must recommend the restaurant on the second floor, where the menu card boasts a long list of tasty dishes. The whole atmosphere of the hotel is not too busy, which gives a busy travellers mind a little rest. If you stay more than a week, there is a risk that you wont leave!

Geoff Green

We arrived in Moscow during the evening one week in May 05. The Intourist rep at the airport was marvellous and got us through the arrival procedures in a few minutes. Then by taxi to the Hotel Ukraine. At first we thought it was a Cathedral. It is colossal. When we entered the doors the security guards proved to be the most unpleasant, insolent, unhelpful creeps I have seen in a commercial security role. There was one very large moron who stared openly at my wife and came into our elevator, obviously ready to make a nuisance of himself. Fortunately a Russian hotel staff member also came in and realised what was happening and cleared this big idiot off. This was our first impression of Russia and already we wanted to go home. The room was OK, tacky but reasonable enough. I went down to the bar to buy some mineral water but they were rip off merchants and the bar was full of spivs, thugs and hookers etc and so now I was really determined out get out of the hotel ASAP. I expected the door to open and be robbed at any time. Next morning we went down to have breakfast before getting the hell out of there but the scene was entirely different. Nice people, helpful and although it is still a bit primitive it turned out OK. The security staff were new and we never saw the ill-mannered idiot again. We joined up with some other Aussies and on the last night we were treated to a special meal and this was very much appreciated. So all in all the Hotel Ukraine proved OK and we can recommend it. (The guide in St. Petersberg was marvellous but in Moscow we ended up with a real sleaze; this is how it seems in Russia - the best of them are great people but there is an awful lot of clowns about). One thing I did like in the hotel was the bath. It was weird. Very narrow and long but very deep. So you filled it up and sat there with water up to your neck. Very relaxing. The food was surprisingly good. Some unusual dishes but a lot of it and a big variety.

Susan Wilson

Stayed a few nights at the Ukraine Hotel and found it well managed with many services available (stamps, change money, etc.). The refridge in our room did not get cold, but, generally speaking, things worked very well. Registration staff speaks excellent English and were very patient in providing directions and advice to us. Loved the light fixtures (in the hotel and in Moscow)! The buffet is good the first day but "gets old" after a while. Nice that they have divided that buffet room into smoking and nonsmoking sections. We used the hotel's free shuttle to the Kremlin area a couple of times. In using a taxi, we did not use the ones out front of the hotel as they were expensive. We just hailed a cab on the main street. In addition, the subway is not that far away and we used that a number of times. I think it's a terrific hotel at a reasonable price.

Amy Lennard

I had an amazing time in Moscow and thought that the hotel was very good, the food was not bad. I had alot worse in St. Petersburg so it made a pleasant change, the bar staff were very nice.

Vladymir illich

very nice, i like room. people in front make nice gesture of goodwill. my moscow wife couldnt not come. i like food in eatroom. if i come again, i maybe take the u.s dollar as many people die for it.room was warm unlike barn. i not go to casino as my father, he lose many rouble in casino back home in the old country. we give you 2 thumbs up.

George Dyer

its a v. good hotel, nice rooms, architecture is amazing, though food wasnt that good.. the staff were fairly friendly though some were a bit officious

Olie Macmillansky

beautiful marble entrance hall. Shame about the food.