Sorry for the Group Email

LOCATION: Alright. About half an hours’ walk from Red Square and the Kremlin, and only ten minutes from a nearby, small, grocery store.

Beware that Russian beaurocracy is alive and well in the shop – something picked up from one counter can only be paid for at that particular checkout, meaning a lot of extra legwork.

INTERNET: Yes. A computer in the lobby runs Linux (which makes uploading to Flickr a pain), but there’s free wireless internet accessible throughout.

KITCHEN: Yes, one on each floor, complete with communal utensils (this is Russia, after all), plates, saucepans, a cooker, microwave and fridge.

CLEAN? Yes.

TURN DOWN SERVICE? No. The linen’s nice, though.

TOWELS? Yes. Thick ones at that.

TV? Not in the rooms. The giant one in the communal living room gets British Sky TV, though.

SECURE? As secure as mixed-sex, five to a room accommodation can be.

FRIENDLY? Yes.

WARM? Yes.

COMFORTABLE? Yes.

ENGLISH SPOKEN? Yes. Everyone we met in reception spoke good English, and recommended places to eat, and places to go. They’ll also dish out English maps and mark them up with places to visit.

BREAKFAST? No. Buy something and cook it yourself.

VERDICT: Good. Well kept, friendly, English-speaking staff, and well-enough located for those looking to do a spot of sight-seeing. The well-equipped lobby and lounge are bonuses.

Tags: beaurocracy, british sky, checkout, communal living, english maps, free wireless internet, grocery store, hostel, kremlin, linen, linux, living room, microwave, recommended places, red square, room accommodation, Russia, sky tv, towels, utensils