You've stumbled into perhaps the best accommodation deal in Moscow. Budget yet fully functional. Even a touch of luxury. Unbeatable location on the canal, steps from Red Square. Ideal for two but sleeps four easily. Air, Internet, WiFi, large desk.. All for $120/night, $700/week, $2000/month to those who come from my site thus sparing me the cost and hassle of dealing with systems like Tripadvisor, where I present the same unit for $140/night and $800/week.
See what your fellow travellers say >>
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Check the availability schedule >> Free? Continue reading.
Not available? Here are other options >> See hotels in the immediate neighbourhood >> My competitor in the traveller support business Olesya >> knows the scene and may have something similar. Of course you are welcomed to write me at paul_voytinsky@yahoo.com to see if I got anything up my sleeve..
Back to the apartment description. It is across the river from Red Square, on the canal. Small one bedroom with a loft. Ideal for two but sleeps up to six if necessary: two in the bedroom, two on the fold-out couch, and two in the loft. 12 foot ceilings, huge windows overlooking the canal. $120/night, $700/week, $2000/month for 1-2 persons, with a small tip to the housekeeper if there are more of you.
Living room as seen from the loft.
The kitchen corner has everything for light-to-medium cooking. On request your housekeeper will do some shopping prior to your arrival. Electric double hotplate, microwave, pans, pots, dishes etc.
The bedroom has no walls shared with neighbours, and it thus very quiet.NEW A 3d view onto the building, and a walk through the area. Highly realistic. Recommended. >>
NEW A series of professional photos that I asked to be taken at a moment of panic at the beginning of dead season. My personal preference is for unstaged, almost bad photos. These don't let photographer's skill to obscure the object. But I know that so sell you need to conform the the accepted format. Here >>
NEW Neighbourhoods > Zamoskvorechye category in my Where in Moscow guide.
NEW Photos of decay and neglect to attract connoisseurs and to get rid of
Bedroom window viewEasy walk to Red Square, the Kremlin, Saint Basil's, Tretyakov Fine Arts Gallery, the Moscow House of Artist, the new Opera House, and many other sites and attractions. My winter 2013 guests promised to do a page on the Zamoskvorechye neighbourhood but it does not seem to be getting anywhere. Here are some links to stories about this old part of Moscow: Wikipedia | The Moscow News | Google Maps | City of Moscow official.
Large desk, computer, printer, unlimited fast internet, Wi-Fi. I've set up the apartment with a working traveller in mind. I've set up this apartment for myself years ago, and it was intended as both a place to live and to work.Local mobile phone.
Quality land line with international access.
Dozen of cafes and restaurants within minutes, including very inexpensive ones where a full meal will cost you under $15. Ask for a complimentary neighbourhood orientation tour! That will include, if you are no wimp, the famous Second Wind, perhaps Moscow's dirtiest and stinkiest drinking establishment that managed to change very little from wild early 90s when it opened. Yes, ask about Russian Misery Travel (c) program! Moscow's most expensive restaurants like Grillage or the one in Balchug-Kempinsky, where a cup of tea and a sandwich can easily cost you over $100, are within 1-3 minutes walk too.
Stores, supermarkets, a pseudo country market, a specialized fish market etc. are also in the immediate vicinity.
!!!Air conditioning!!!
Air conditioning is a must during brutal Moscow summers.
Normally heat and hot water are centrally supplied but a backup water heater is there just in case.
IN SUMMER CENTRALLY SUPPLIED WATER IS TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. DURING THIS TIME YOU CAN USE A FLOW-THROUGH HEATER. IF THIS MINOR INCONVENIENCE IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU, CHECK WHEN CENTRAL HOT WATER SUPPLY IS OFF. NORMALLY IT IS KNOWN IN THE BEGINNING OF SUMMER.
Extra sleeping and storage in the loft. Kids love it there.Hassle-free visa support ($50) and registration ($80). Airport pickup by a reliable English-speaking driver can be arranged. Circumstances permitting I'll meet you myself. Complimentary neighbourhood orientation tour. Friendly and helpful housekeeper who expects no tips unless there is a crowd or you really impose on her.
Questions about Moscow, Russia in general, or travelling, living, or working here are always welcomed.
Washer/dryer.
Lots of linen.
Toothbrushes and a variety of personal hygiene items are always on hand.
Easy access for physically impaired (just one step to overcome).
24/7 emergency assistance! I never turn my phone off, and when out of town I always leave someone competent in my place.
$120 per night. $100/night if you stay a week or longer. $66/night if you stay a month or longer ($2000/month). Utilities included. A tip to the housekeeper is appropriate if there are more than two of you or if you require her to do extra work, eg. shopping or more than regular amount of cleaning but otherwise no extra charges.
Why so cheap? Because it it direct from me. Because there are no frills - just the essentials. Because I want to attract quality clients. BECAUSE THE HALL AND ELEVATOR ARE A MESS IN THE BEST TRADITIONS OF EARLY 90S MOSCOW, WHICH CONSIDERABLY BRINGS DOWN THE PROPERTY'S RENTAL VALUE. I'm calling your attention to the rundown hall with graffiti to make sure you don't run into unpleasant surprises.
[insert a few photos of the hall showing both large space and decay; possibly do a page of disclaimers]
Moscow market is dominated by agencies and go-betweens. You've run into a happy exception. The apartment is mine. I wrote this page. I answer enquiries. I maintain the place. I meet you at the airport etc. etc. Introducing me, Paul Voytinsky (normally addressed here in Russia as "дядя Паша", or "uncle Pasha"), the owner of this and several other resources focused on assistance to brave souls travelling to Russia. My business grew out of my own trip here back in 1993, when I had ample opportunity to see for myself just how important it is to have access to competent and comprehensive local support. If you want to know more about me and my associates, start with I suppose www.unclepasha.com.
Payment by cheque sent to London, Ontario, bank transfer to the Royal Bank of Canada, or via dreaded PayPal. No need to lug large amounts of cash to Russia.
Have questions? Want to book the place? Check the availability schedule and e-mail me. I usually respond without delay. Often instantly. If the matter truly can't wait, text or even call me at +7 985 217 3241 but first pause for a second.
Above are a few photos of the neighbourhood. Something may pop up on zamoskvorechye.cheap-moscow.com my winter 2013 guests promised to do for their fellow travellers. Lots of churches and old estates. A couple of centuries ago it was almost the countryside, and even now you will find an occasional wooden house. No, it is not as glamorous as say Pushkinskaya. Third-world countries tend to have their embassies in Zamoskvorechye. Guess that kind of summarizes the place of this district on the totem pole of Moscow's locales. An embassy district, yes. But those who need and can afford status opt for the other side of the Moskva river.
The house where play-write Ostrovsky was born in 1823(?). Now it is a museum, and a highly recommended one if you are looking for places that preserve the spirit of 19th century. See a note by Alexandra about this museum in my Guide to Moscow.
Another old house, now gone. Burned. The law does not allow wrecking old buildings. The method is to burn them so that yet another office and shopping center can be guild in its place.Guest feedback: the big compilation, mostly e-mails and scans of notes left in the apartment | Flipkey/TripAdvsor reviews | my forum
Stayed here? Post a review at Fripkey/TripAdvisor, leave a note on my board, or write to paul_voytinsky@yahoo.com, and I'll add you to feedback.
The building from the side of the main entrance.
A view onto the neighbourhood from the hall window.
The bathroom is as spacious as they get. A wheelchair will fit in. The bathtub has handles to make getting in and out easier for the disabled.
The map of central Moscow. Click here to see it bigger, with the apartment location (less than a mile from Saint Basil's Cathedral) marked.
Disclaimer: this is an old building that has seen revolutions, wars, decades of Soviet management and post-Soviet despair. If you want no reminders that you are in Russia consider a brand new western-managed hotel. At at 3-5 times the rate. The closest one is Balchug-Kempinsky. More hotels in the immediate neighbourhood here.NEW A series of photos reflecting decay and neglect inside, outside, and around this 1903 building >>
The stairs. Except for the recently added elevator the building offers a lot more space than the vast majority of modern Moscow housing.
"A perfect place to work. Or just to sit on the windowsill observing life." Alla D. from Lipetsk RussiaIs that what you are looking for? See if it is available and write to paul_voytinsky@yahoo.com.
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*I offer you the best rate. Guaranteed. Find something similar for same or less, and I'll match the offer and give you a further 20% discount. The offer you find needs to be real. Examples of what won't do: "$80/night, minimum 30 nights" because it is $2400/month, not $80/night. "$50/night based on 4 person occupancy" because it is $200/night, not $50. In short, it needs to be a real offer, not an advertising trick. If you find better accommodation value in Moscow, I'll more than match it.
