ACCOMMODATING  YOURSELF TO  RUSSIA'S  HOTELS

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**April 1998**
by Olga Ananina & Alexei Kim
Economic 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 toconsistently satisfy the expectations of Western business travelers.  U.S. business people shouldnot take for granted the availability of suitable accommodations when traveling anywhere inRussia, and especially outside the major cities.
Moscow and St. Petersburg are the Russian cities visited most frequently by foreign businesstravelers and have the broadest selection of international-standard hotels.  Modern facilities can bescarce even there, however, and prices are often extremely high in excess of $200 per night for asingle room, for example.  Deluxe four- and five-star establishments in these two cities, which areoperated mostly by leading international hotel chains, are often the only hotels the Westernbusiness traveler would consider safe, clean, and capable of providing services such as modemaccess, international direct-dial calls from rooms, and business center services.
Despite growth in Russia's hotel industry, many Russian cities lack hotels which Western businesstravelers 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 travelersseek.  In cities where there are no Western hotels, Intourist and former Communist Party hotelsoften 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 pacethan 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') upto 25 percent of one night's room rate is often charged separately.  Russians usually receivediscounts for hotel rooms, train, and plane tickets, and it is not uncommon that a Western travelerand his/her Russian colleague or counterpart are charged different rates for similar rooms.  Aseparate fee  may also be charged for the telephone in your room.  Pay special attention whenasking for a nicer room, since this may result in a higher rate.  Often, foreigners will be chargedextra for the obligatory visa registration with the local authorities, as well.
**3.)  Payment.**  Some hotels require payment in advance.  Many hotels outside Moscowand St. Petersburg do not accept credit cards.  It's a good idea to verify in advance theacceptance of specific credit cards (VISA and American Express are most common). Be sure tohave plenty of cash when you check in. 
**4.)  The Dezhurnaya.**  If the reception in a provincial hotel provides you with a papercard with your room number on it instead of a key, that means that you can obtain your key fromthe "dezhurnaya" on the floor where your hotel room is.  The dezhurnaya usually a woman, whofunctions 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 springuntil early fall, when most central heating is turned off, the dezhurnaya might have an extrablanket if your room is cold.  The dezhurnaya will oversee checkout to verify that nothing hasbeen taken from your room.
**5.)  Conveniences.**  Provincial hotels rarely offer conveniences, such as laundry or drycleaning.  Also, changing bed sheets and towels on a daily basis is not a usual practice.  Mostelectric 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 todrink anywhere in Russia.
**6.)  Problems.**  If you encounter problems that the dezhurnaya can't solve, try talking tothe hotel administrator.  Administrators may not be very responsive, however, even where theirguests' physical security is concerned.  If you do not feel safe in your hotel, consider changing hotels.  Ifnecessary, consult your local partner or contact about alternative accommodations.  Often, someone may know ofa 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 tohelp and sometimes communicate in a more personable and relaxed manner than in more efficient Western-styleestablishments the silver lining of many provincial Russian hotels.  If a staff member is not polite and soundsangry, don't take it personally, since their apparent anger may not have anything to do with you and an angry orantagonistic response on your part probably won't improve the situation.  For more information on travel inRussia, 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)***