The hotel front desk staff were very nice and friendly, especially if you make the effort to say a few words in Russian. The location is pretty good, once you learn how to use the buses. [You need to find a bus stop, usually indicated by either a bus picture or occasionally by a bunch of people standing around not talking to each other. Pay when you get off. It is a fixed fare of 11 Roubles.]
The room absolutely stank of cigarette smoke that did not get easier at any time. The Aircon unit was effective but very noisy. Breakfast was frugal and uninspiring. Non existent coffee (just nescafe). But overall, my expectations were not high but the hotel was fairly good. The shower was also a nightmare as it had been designed (?) to flow the water on to the bathroom floor!!
