On the banks of the Upper Dnieper is the city of Smolensk, the first mention of which dates back to 862 (“The Tale of Bygone Years”). Today, travelers from all over the world aspire to one of the oldest cities in Russia. A rich cultural life, architectural monuments, gardens and parks, as well as a picturesque urban landscape are unlikely to leave you indifferent. Hotels in Smolensk pleasantly surprise with affordable prices and hospitality.
“New”
The Novy Hotel is located at the entrance to the city, next to the Moscow-Minsk highway. Modern interchanges and a convenient location allow guests to easily get anywhere in Smolensk.
There is a large guarded parking lot on the territory of the hotel complex. In the absence of a personal car, the problem of remoteness from the historical center is solved with the help of a relatively cheap taxi, and there is a bus stop 200 meters away.
Hotel “New” (Gubenko St., 26) offers its guests fiveroom categories:
- standard DBL (3400 rubles);
- standard double TWIN (3500 rubles);
- standard improved Superior (3700 rubles);
- Junior Suite (4200 rubles);
- two-room Suite (4600 rubles).
All rooms are classically decorated and include breakfast, Wi-Fi and secure parking.
Additional services:
- laundry;
- organization of excursions;
- transfer;
- pet-friendly;
- luggage storage.
Travel Reviews
According to the guests, the hotel "New" 100% justifies its name - the rooms are clean and comfortable, well-groomed area. The location of the hotel is compensated by the developed infrastructure. The hotel complex has a restaurant, currency exchange and even a gift shop.
Of the minuses, guests note the lack of an elevator. In addition, the work of a restaurant with a beautiful interior is not entirely pleasing - the waiters are in no hurry to serve, the breakfast buffet is modest, and the menu does not even contain half of the declared dishes.
“Premier”
Premier Hotel is another complex on the outskirts of Smolensk (Krupskaya st., 64). The walk to the main attractions takes twenty minutes. There is a shopping and entertainment center across the road, so guests can go to the cinema, supermarket or go shopping at any time.
Rooms available for booking:
- Standard - from 2500 rubles.
- Standard Plus - from 2900 rubles.
- Deluxe - from 3500 rubles.
Guests have at their disposal air conditioning, safe and telephone. A hairdryer, kettle and kitchenware are available upon request, as well as an ironing board and iron.
Extra charge:
- wash clothes;
- chauffeur service;
- transfer;
- flower delivery.
For business meetings, negotiations and presentations, the Premier Hotel offers special equipment and a conference hall for 100 seats.
On the territory of the hotel complex there is a restaurant that provides full meals to guests. Own wine list, wide range of dishes and first-class service are also available during celebrations or coffee breaks.
Three stars
Guests rate the Premier complex with three stars. The modern rooms are in good condition, the staff is attentive to requests, and the best experience is a hearty breakfast in the restaurant.
As for the cons, most guests note the dull view from the window of the industrial zone and a small parking lot, which may not have enough space for everyone.
Back to the USSR
A real journey into the past offers a tourist complex "Russia". The main advantage is the location in the historical center of the city - the building was built on the eve of the Olympics in 1980.
Today, "Russia" continues to be the largest hotel complex in the Smolensk region, whichcan accommodate up to 300 guests at a time. Not all Smolensk hotels are of such magnitude, but, unfortunately, the current state of the room stock leaves much to be desired - we will talk about this a little later.
Hotel infrastructure includes:
- conference room for 250 seats;
- bars and ballroom;
- meeting room;
- two restaurants;
- gym;
- billiard room;
- hairdresser;
- souvenir shop;
- laundry room;
- luggage storage;
- he alth complex with swimming pool, Finnish and Turkish saunas.
Single and double rooms, as well as junior suites and suites are available for booking. Double accommodation will cost at least 3600 rubles.
The railway station, as well as the main sights of Smolensk, is within walking distance.
The need for change
As we have already said, the housing stock in the hotel is presented mainly in a retro style, more precisely, it has not been significantly updated since the times of the USSR. For this reason, most guests are perplexed by the high cost of living with a minimum level of comfort and not the best service.
In such hotels people of the old school work, who can no longer be taught to be friendly and smile. Feedback from guests says that after such a reception on the territory of the complex, you want to spend less time, and the only salvation is a magnificent city park.
No hot water in the morning, old plumbing, prices inrestaurant and a meager breakfast - these are just some of the comments of the guests. But the most important thing is the discrepancy between the high cost of living and the quality of services.
According to the guests, there are still workers in the hotel who “sick” with all their hearts for the Rossiya complex. However, if the situation does not change for the better, then even these people will look for another job. The city of Smolensk is the largest tourist center, and the main hotel should correspond to this status.
“Cathedral Yard”
In the immediate vicinity of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the pilgrimage house "Cathedral Yard".
A mini-hotel can offer travelers only a few rooms:
- triple economy;
- triple comfort;
- double room;
- luxury;
- executive suite.
Despite the rather simple design of the rooms, guests talk about comfort and cleanliness. An ironing board and iron, dishes are provided upon request, and a cooler with hot water is freely available.
Smolensk hotels, as a rule, cannot provide guests with peace and quiet because of restaurants. However, there is no such institution at the “Cathedral Yard”, accommodation with children and animals is also not provided, so you are guaranteed a good rest after a day full of excursions. The obvious plus is the location on the territory of the cathedral, as well as the presence of a small parking lot for cars.
Of the shortcomings most often noted:
- lack of breakfast;
- weak Wi-Fi signal;
- Not all rooms have private bathrooms.
“Villa Grove”
Villa Grove Hotel, despite its remoteness from the historical center, is considered one of the best in the city. The complex of three small buildings welcomes travelers in a residential area, away from the hustle and bustle of the streets. For recreation and walks in the fresh air, a forest nursery with a lake, which is located nearby, is ideal.
The following room categories are available for booking:
- Standard economy - 2300 rubles.
- Standard - 2600 rubles.
- Triple standard plus - 3500 rubles.
- Standard plus - 3000 rubles.
- Junior suite - 3500 rubles.
All rooms are equipped with a work area with a desk and private bathrooms, as well as a set of toiletries, a hairdryer, a safe, a TV and air conditioning.
The price includes breakfast and Wi-Fi, and you can drink coffee or tea in the hotel lobby. Available on request: baby cot, iron, cutlery and crockery, and parking space.
Guest opinion
“Villa Grove” is liked by many travelers. The laconic design of the rooms, new furniture and plumbing are unconditional advantages. From the sleeping area you can get to the historical center in a matter of minutes, and in the absence of a car, a city taxi comes to the rescue.
According to hotel guests, breakfast deserves not the highest marks. Dishes must be selected in advance, and the sizePortions are quite modest. In addition, some rooms do not have refrigerators.
“Respect”
City center and silence, it would seem, are incompatible things, but the Respect Hotel can prove the opposite.
The mini-hotel building is located at: st. Paris Commune, building 18. It's just a five-minute walk from the garden "Blonie" and Lenin Square. Despite the proximity to attractions, the place is quite secluded.
“Respect” offers travelers sixteen rooms of standard, superior single or double, and suite categories. The most modest option for two guests will cost 2000 rubles. The price includes internet access, breakfast and parking.
According to the guests, the main advantage of the hotel is the location. Within walking distance are the promenade and the central streets with many cafes and shops. Breakfast is no frills, but quite decent. A good impression is left by the state of the room stock after the repair and the presence of coolers on the floor.
Flaws:
- The picturesque hills, among which the hotel is located, can become a serious obstacle for novice motorists and people with sore feet, who will find it difficult to master the descents and ascents.
- No wheelchair ramp.
- Soundproofing.
- Uncomfortable beds and mattresses.
- No air conditioning.
- Night club next to the hotel.
“Homestead”
Convenient location, indoor pool and high quality servicepromises travelers the hotel "Usadba". Lopatinsky Garden and the Assumption Cathedral, the Smolensk Kremlin and the Blonye Garden, as well as the railway station are within walking distance.
The hotel offers two buildings - a total of 23 comfortable rooms. Infrastructure includes:
- restaurant and cafe;
- pool;
- sauna;
- play corner and playground;
- dry cleaning and laundry;
- underground two-level parking.
The cheapest double attic room (2700 rubles), located in the main building. The new building houses exclusively superior rooms, the most modest of which (classic suite) costs 4,700 rubles.
Reviews
The opinions of travelers regarding the Usadba Hotel are divided. Everyone who stayed in the new building was delighted with the interior and equipment of the rooms, which even had an individual infrared sauna.
As for the old building, the price-quality ratio was a little let down. Not the best furniture and small rooms (especially attic rooms) spoiled the impression a bit.
Breakfast, which is included in the price, must be booked in advance. The choice is very modest, but the taste is not reflected in any way. The main restaurant is overpriced according to guest reviews.
The location is good, but in the private sector. For this reason, there is no craving for evening walks.
In addition, all the guests noted the responsiveness and friendlystaff attitude.
“Wheel”
Resting house “Wheel” attracts travelers not with a good location or affordable prices. Of greatest interest is the original design of the fourteen rooms, each of which has its own theme.
For example, in the room “Chukotka” there is a huge bed in the form of a sleigh, and the walls are decorated with deer skins and antlers. The Love Attic has a heart-shaped bed, a canopy and a predominance of red in the interior. The atmosphere of the Fazenda room is created by a rustic style and a waterfall with real turtles.
Booking price includes breakfast buffet. For younger guests, a playground with slides and a trampoline is equipped on site.
Additional services:
- billiards;
- hot tub;
- sauna with pool;
- bath;
- gazebo with barbecue.
None of the travelers remained indifferent to the design work. Reviews note that the design of the rooms is bright, but not annoying. Like many popular hotels in Smolensk, Koleso is located near the historical center.
It can get a bit noisy on weekends as the hotel is often chosen for wedding banquets and corporate events.
