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Minsk hotels intro
Accommodation is usually the biggest budget-buster in this otherwise dirt-cheap city. Prices can be truly out-of-whack; people often end up paying an arm and a leg for a room that hasn't been renovated since Brezhnev's time. Part of the problem is the state's near monopoly on the industry. Another part is the discriminatory pricing system where foreigners are charged twice as much as Belarusians and CIS residents for the same shabby, cigarette-burned hovel. Luckily things are changing, and if you shop around a bit, you can usually find a reasonable deal on a decent room, sometimes even one with up-to-date furnishings. The cheaper places tend to be out of the centre. Thankfully taxis in Minsk are also fairly cheap.
Prices we've listed here are in US dollars, but in almost all cases, hotels only accept payment in Belarusian roubles (or credit cards). Another local nuance you should be aware of is the prevalence of prostitutes, especially in the larger hotels. Don't be surprised if you get a phone call late at night offering you 'company'.
Latest Comments
I just spent 8 nights in Hotel Yubileynaya and found it to have friendly and helpful staff, comfortable, basic rooms and a buffet breakfast that is above average (for this standard of hotel in this part of the world).The prostitutes phoning the room[...]
I stayed there for three nights last week. The standard single rooms share toilet and bathroom with another room. Can be pretty noisy, avoid room 1013 as something one the roof makes an intermittent noise all night long. Business double room for 57,[...]
I loved the Sovjet-style ambience of this centrally located hotel. Biggest plus: the monumental swimmingpool with beautiful socialist mosaics, a truly wonderful experience in itself! But if you have one of the cheaper rooms of Hotel Belarus, you hav[...]
I have stayed there twice and no problems. First time there was no hot water but the reason was the time I went to take shower, 2 p.m. and no one else at that building was using hot water so it takes looong time until hot water comes up to 11th floo[...]
Itt may sound strange, but I enjoyed the very Soviet ambience and recommend the hotel as a history lesson for all those who wonder what it was like to travel in the Soviet Union. I keep going back there for the irony of the entire experience.[...]
So many comments attack the decor preferences but for me, I enjoy, even prefer, the personal and independent expressions. My advice: enjoy it while you can. It's a big part of your trip.[...]
I stayed here during my latest visit to Minsk. The rooms are nice and clean, and have a wonderful panoramic view over the Svislach River (I would recommend this hotel from the view alone). Good service in the reception (which spoke English).If you w[...]
We went for the budget option - do not - without a doubt the scruffiest hotel I have stoped at anywhere in the world.[...]
This "hotel" had really lousy service, especially compared to hotel Panarama (recommended!). Belarus had a unclean room, ghastly food, no food or drink in the minibar, guards wondering who you are and what you are doing at the hotel... uh, sleeping[...]