Russia - Moscow Azimut Olympic Hotel 27Dec2013/09Aug2015

Moscow - To Stay
Moscow - To Do
Moscow - To Eat

Moscow
Like ABBAtravel facebook page to share/tag and get the latest updates
Azimut Olympijskij
Moscow Russia Olympijskij 

Click here for ABBA Location of Hotel (It was ongoing a name change upon time of visit)

Caution: Depending on traffic, its a very, very long bus ride to the hotel, ranging from 1/1/2hrs to even 3hrs or more.

Bringing a family member or on own visit

- Getting a Moscow Visa is tedious and long drawn process for a couple of reasons.
Things you will need:
- You will require a notification of invite at the hotel with which you are staying at for the time and duration of your stay. (Notification of invite maybe either a single or double entry and this is restricted by the licensee they have.)
Depending on the hotel you stay in, they can either issue a single or double entry visitation pass. In this instance, Olympijskij Hotel only iissue a SINGLE entry visitation. Re-return to the hotel from antoher location is unlikely. Apparently the Russian Embassy Singapore side have become stricter on this as supposedly they once accepeted double single entry letter of invitations. 
P.S.(Two separate single entry slips do not count and the Russian embassy in Singapore will not issue a double entry Visa to you if you so intend to enter Moscow again from another location. Transit is not a problem and does not require a VISA.
- Russian Embassy is very particular on your first and last name and everything must be spot on. 

- It take a lot of time to process the VISAS.
Express Visas take 4working days and standard up to 6 working days. (price of visa maybe another $100 more

The Russian embassy doesn't work every weekday of the week and neither on public holidays or weekends. Although 6days maybe a week, plan greater lead time for processing the VISA. (Not inclusive of wrong Last and first names)
- Prices of a Visa are not cheap and vary (personally, yet to be successful to apply) They may range from 100-200 dollars (assuming its chargeable in USD)

$$$ Money Changing $$$
Note There are no Rubles for exchange at Changi Airport!
Exchange at Moscow Airport is horrible. Buying at 1 SGD for 14Rubles, Selling 1SGD at 28Rubles or something like that.

Money exchange is now available
at Azimut Hotel basement! (Same floor as gym)

SGD Approx 46Rubles on 9Aug2015
Open 24hrs and operated by a bank teller. Ex-Changed 100USD, versus internet rate, lost out a total of 5SGD only.
- Does not change SGD
- USD and Euro prefered and not a problem
 
Alternate Money Exchange

- Upon visit, money changer was non-serviceable. Alternate bank location was located
around the corner.

- No queue number is required. Proceed to cubical 8 behind closed door where a staff will tend to you. Accepts Singpoare dollar and when exchanged was at near internet rate. 1SGD -> 25 RUBLES during time of visit.
Weekdays Open form 8:30 - 1930
Weekends Open from 9:00 - 1700

Click here for ABBA location of Alternate Bank, located 600m away from hotel. 

Alternatively:
You can change USD at the hotel machines downstairs. Bring USD as its much easier to change and apparently the rates are much better.

Really depending on the weather during time of visit, essentials such as money changer or transportation services maybe seen relatively near or far. However, the Hotel does provide shuttle services to various tourist locations in town.
ABBA details- Free Wifi available in the lobby. Complimentary wifi is also available in-room.

- Complimentary shuttle service to various sights and tourist sports to and Fro the city center. Destinations include Tsvetnoy Shopping Centre and metro station, Pushkin Square, Red Square and much more. Note there are special services which run only on the weekends.

- Complimentary lounge excess to senior crew with light breakfast and dinner, drinks and eats.
Breakfast starts from 6am-1030am and Dinner Service from 5.30p, to 7.30pm.

- Supermarket located across the street.

Click here for ABBA Location of Hotel (It was ongoing a name change upon time of visit)

Getting around

Moving around is relatively easy. One can purchase a metro tap card for number of pre-purchased rides. The more rides purchased, the cheaper it is. Tapping in its the only requirement. No tap out required.

The cards themselves, to my knowledge are not able to be topped up, but a single tap allows for a single, unlimited transfer and distance ride. That is fine so long you do not vacate the train station. That in itself is one of the cheapest tours one is going to enjoy in Moscow, catching the different designs in each of the stations. Click here for some of the stations seen.

The trains lines are color coded as well as numbered both on signs and on the ground for easy identification of where you need to go. 

Further more, the signs in the trains are lit up accordingly, to show which station you are at and going to. Simple, timely and easy. The trains lines are color coded as well as numbered both on signs and lit up accordingly, to show which station you are at and going to. Simple, timely and easy.

Fire At Azimuth
on 9thAug2015

Word has it that as renovations were on going, a spark had gone off which led to the fire, setting the connecting building to Azimuth hotel ablaze. The fire did not spread beyond that. Reports were that the fire probably started around 1630hrs lasting all the way through the night till 1230hrs and on.

*Allowed to go back in at 2300hrs to collect luggage for the move to Metropol. Firemen were hacking windows and taking down insulation. Lobby of hotel was completely smoked out up to 6th floor or so.*

*The aftermath approximately 9days after. Hotel is reopened to accept guest with the gym facilities, located beneath the dome temporarily shut down*

Metropol Hotel

 

Hallways to the rooms

*Junior Suite*

*Standard Rooms*

Everyone was moved to the very grand and old Metropolitan hotel which played host to a varied range of celebrities, sports personalities and delegates. Location wise couldn't be any better, being a mere 5min walk from the red square or a short stumble from bars after a night out. The hotel does provide tours of the Hotel itself on Wednesdays and on Saturdays. Prior booking is required.

 

*Gyming Facilities and a small pool accessible from a separate lift*

 

A fabulous breakfast spread, dined in elegance, wrapped with music from a harp! Full priced breakfast is at 2000Rubles. Incredible.