Longtime budget traveller bows to the inevitable

Who told you that hostels don't exist in Moscow? I've just checked hostelbookers.com out of curiosity and found a dozen hostels(although all expensive).

If you're looking for a cheap hotel I recommend Hotel Izmailovo. My friend stayed there 2 years ago and was satisfied. It's not in the center but you can get there quickly by metro. It's a huge hotel so you have good chances of vacancy. I think it's a 3*.

When do expect to leave your long time buedget travelling behind you? Moscow is the right place to start a normal life . . .

Moscow is a good place to start thinking outside of the box. If you're travelling before June, 9, the new Crowne Plaza Moscow is available as Pointbreaks at only 5000 Priority Club points per night. If you don't have the points, these can be bought at their website, so you're looking at US$62.50 a night. Use the website to check if rooms are available before you buy the points.The location is somewhat awkward, but close to the centre and it sure beats anything you can get for this sort of money in Moscow. (And yes, there are hostels in Moscow)

Folks, OP posted before and was looking for hostels that had private bathrooms or lots of bathrooms. Since most Moscow hostels were created from apartments that had one bathroom for every 3-4 rooms that isn't many toilets for a lot of people.

Hotel Budapest has a great location. I don't know if it has been upgrade yet. If not, it is really old style and be forewarned that the prostitutes occupy the lobby in the evening.

I think the Marriott hotels also have deals where you can buy the points and the Marriott Royal on Petrovka is a great location as is the one on Tverskaya.

Ruth

I don't really think US$62,50 will buy enough points to stay at any Marriott in Moscow

Concur on the Budapest

Thx all.

Pszeker, of course I know there are hostels in Moscow. Ruth has clarified why they won't do for me! Thx for your tip re the Ismailova - seen it on lists all over the place, and it's good to have one more recco.

spoelle - while I still have the energy I'll remain a budget traveller. Means I can stay away for longer for the same money.

apoive - don't know what points are, but will check out the pointsbooker site.

I'm guessing I'll end up at the Ismailova. Anyone out there ever booked through www.moscowcity.com. The rate they are offering is much better than others I have seen (unless of course I've misread euros for usd (haha)).

I hope you're all minded to be tolerant because I have more questions to ask.

Cheers.

I'm in the same boat as you and almost broke down and did the $500 US a night. but I just can't do it. :)

So I booked at kalinka-hotel.ru. I've never been there, but the research I did points to it being decent and at $99 US per night, I'm getting a private bathroom. They've been very responsive via email and speak some english.

Also, you might try expedia.com. They have some hotels that are offering free Sunday nights for staying Fri/Sat. This brings the Hotel Milan down to about $144US/night for Fri-Mon.
http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll/qscr=dspv/htid=1676578

It can actually be done for a reasonable price.....Just takes some independant research.

wow! apoivre's right... just checked out the Crowne hotel deal and for 3 nights I would need 15000 points at a grand total of... $150US! Which would make this 3* hotel only $50/night for two. I'm sure there are taxes, etc that would be added to that, but it's still a killer deal.

I spoke with Priority Rewards and you have to wait 48 hours between buying and using the points.

apoivre is always right.