|                                                                                                                                                             |  | ACCOMMODATING  YOURSELF TO  RUSSIA'S  HOTELS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              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|**BISNISHome PageSearchBISNISEmbassyReportsCountryReportsIndustryReportsPublicationsSourcesof FinanceLeadsand EventsExchangeRatesState ExportsOtherSources** |  | April 1998by Olga Ananina & Alexei KimEconomic and political change have opened Russia to foreign business travelers as never before. 
Hotel standards are rising in Russia the number of Western-style hotels continues to grow,
especially in Moscow and St. Petersburg   but the industry still has a long way to go to
consistently satisfy the expectations of Western business travelers.  U.S. business people should
not take for granted the availability of suitable accommodations when traveling anywhere in
Russia, and especially outside the major cities.Moscow and St. Petersburg are the Russian cities visited most frequently by foreign business
travelers and have the broadest selection of international-standard hotels.  Modern facilities can be
scarce even there, however, and prices are often extremely high in excess of $200 per night for a
single room, for example.  Deluxe four- and five-star establishments in these two cities, which are
operated mostly by leading international hotel chains, are often the only hotels the Western
business traveler would consider safe, clean, and capable of providing services such as modem
access, international direct-dial calls from rooms, and business center services.Despite growth in Russia's hotel industry, many Russian cities lack hotels which Western business
travelers would consider to provide good-quality at a moderate price.  Even in Russia's leading 
regional cities it can be difficult to find a hotel with the level of service many Western travelers
seek.  In cities where there are no Western hotels, Intourist and former Communist Party hotels
often remain the best option for a foreigner.  When planning travel outside Moscow and St.
Petersburg, rely on your Russian partner or an experienced travel agent to make arrangements,
and keep the following in mind:1.)  Patience. Life in provincial Russian towns moves at a much more relaxed pace
than in the major cities.  As a result, service can be slower than some Western travelers expect. 
Most provincial hotels are not computerized, so paperwork at check-in can be time-consuming. 
Additional delays may occur if the staff doesn't speak English.2.)  Your Bill.  Taxes are usually included in room rates. A reservation fee ( bron') up
to 25 percent of one night's room rate is often charged separately.  Russians usually receive
discounts for hotel rooms, train, and plane tickets, and it is not uncommon that a Western traveler
and his/her Russian colleague or counterpart are charged different rates for similar rooms.  A
separate fee  may also be charged for the telephone in your room.  Pay special attention when
asking for a nicer room, since this may result in a higher rate.  Often, foreigners will be charged
extra for the obligatory visa registration with the local authorities, as well.3.)  Payment.  Some hotels require payment in advance.  Many hotels outside Moscow
and St. Petersburg do not accept credit cards.  It's a good idea to verify in advance the
acceptance of specific credit cards (VISA and American Express are most common). Be sure to
have plenty of cash when you check in.4.)  The Dezhurnaya.  If the reception in a provincial hotel provides you with a paper
card with your room number on it instead of a key, that means that you can obtain your key from
the "dezhurnaya" on the floor where your hotel room is.  The dezhurnaya usually a woman, who
functions as a receptionist for an individual floor can be very helpful.  She can provide an iron,
order a taxi, make a wake up call, and even provide a cup of tea or hot water. From late spring
until early fall, when most central heating is turned off, the dezhurnaya might have an extra
blanket if your room is cold.  The dezhurnaya will oversee checkout to verify that nothing has
been taken from your room.5.)  Conveniences.  Provincial hotels rarely offer conveniences, such as laundry or dry
cleaning.  Also, changing bed sheets and towels on a daily basis is not a usual practice.  Most
electric appliances can't be used in hotel rooms, so ironing is usually done in a designated area. 
Also, remember to bring your own bottled drinking water, since ordinary tap water is not safe to
drink anywhere in Russia.6.)  Problems.  If you encounter problems that the dezhurnaya can't solve, try talking to
the hotel administrator.  Administrators may not be very responsive, however, even where their
guests' physical security is concerned.  If you do not feel safe in your hotel, consider changing hotels.  If
necessary, consult your local partner or contact about alternative accommodations.  Often, someone may know of
a friend or relative with an apartment or room to rent, if a room is not available in a better hotel.Although customer service may not appear to be a priority in some hotels, hotel staff can be surprisingly eager to
help and sometimes communicate in a more personable and relaxed manner than in more efficient Western-style
establishments the silver lining of many provincial Russian hotels.  If a staff member is not polite and sounds
angry, don't take it personally, since their apparent anger may not have anything to do with you and an angry or
antagonistic response on your part probably won't improve the situation.  For more information on travel in
Russia, visit BISNIS Online at www.mac.doc.gov/bisnis/country/9801rco5.htm.Olga Ananina and Alexei Kim represent BISNIS in Moscow and St. Petersburg, respectively.This report is provided courtesy of the Business Information Service for the Newly Independent States
(BISNIS)