MuscoviteVT
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I liked Sputnik.||Many thousands Russian tourists like Sputnik, too – book in advance and check Russian national holidays, it is full-booked in May, June and January.||||The room is nice, quite enough space for one person and one suitcase. The bathroom is spotless, and the fixtures look – maybe they are just very well maintained.||The furniture looks new, too, although it is not – I’ve seen it on VT member HORSCHECK’s page, but quality stuff keeps good look for years. The chairs and, what’s more important, the bed are very comfortable (the matrass is of a higher standard, than the one in the hotel Beltransgaz). By the way, I’ll find out if the furniture is home-made, Belarus is well-known for its furniture, they should make their hotels a showcase for their products. For example, hotel Minsk, more central and expensive, has the same furniture, only in ruby shade.||The TV set ‘Horizont’ is definitely made in Minsk, it shows about 30 channels – two English-language, Arabic, Spanish and German (I noted there was no French). Then there are three Belarusian channels, one showing vintage Soviet films – I enjoyed a 1950s’ musical, they had good voices at that time.||||This makes me recall the plasma TV in the breakfast room with its intrusive pop songs, nearly drove me mad. Otherwise everything is OK; I mean, for hearty eaters it’s absolutely great – they have five sorts of meatballs for breakfast! For my part I would prefer them to spend the fund on cheese and bread, but I know my compatriots are positively in raptures about Sputnik’s buffet breakfast.||If you like vintage design, you will note the chairs – indeed they rather suit a 19th century boutique hotel.||||Speaking about times, Sputnik was built in 1963, and the outward design is rather modest. But guess what I like most about this place – the walls! They are no less than 50 – 70 cm thick; the temperature in the street went below zero when I was there, but it was very comfortably warm inside. No wonder they hardly need any health-threatening air-conditions in summer.||No noise either: trust me, I normally hear an alarm-clock in the neighbouring room, and my windows went out into the street – all quiet at night. There is a lovely little park in front of the hotel.||||So far I am quite happy with their service; I have asked numerous practical questions about the city, and they answer within an hour. Wi-Fi available and free, but a bit uneven.||||The location is not exactly central, but then their tariffs are affordable.||The distance from the railway station is 1.5 km on the map, it's about 15 minutes on foot, but with the luggage you won't like it; better take bus or trolley-bus, just two stops.||||P.S.||I've seen an ad on their site - they have vacant rooms during Ice Hockey Championship this May.||Looks like they could do with more guests, I'll see if I can figure out a sensible itinerary for budget groups to keep them busy.||||Unique Qualities: Functioning Internet site in Russian / English / German||||Two other important points – refrigerator in the room and cold/hot water dispenser on the floor; you can easily make your own tea/coffee, or even quick lunch with instant soup (I did exactly that).||||A bank and ATM around the corner – workable, I used it.||||Two budget ‘Dor-Ors’ shops (I’ll tell you about this brand in another tip) – food supermarket and haberdashery, where you can buy ladies’ cotton socks for $ 1.5, sun hat or soap. Oh no, soap is one thing you won’t need, they give you a full supply of toiletries in Sputnik – soap, shower gel, shampoo, toothbrush & toothpaste, hair brush and even nail file, and a new package comes every day!
