I stayed in hotel Planeta (for business) in the end of May 2011. The room was relatively small for western standards and approximately 10 m2 with an additional bathroom. Everything was clean, although not very modern. There were smoke detectors in the room, the emergency exits were indicated by signs but not by a plan inside the room. Breakfast was fine, but not very tasty. WIFI quality was excellent. The hotel has a reasonable value for money according to our local colleagues.

Nice hotel, 3 *, convenient location, reasonable prices, friendly staff. Convenient online booking hotel through the official website: http://www.hotelplaneta.by/en/

Hotel clean, a bit away from town, room small for price, mostly twin beds rather than doubles, expensive for breakfast. Stripper bar in hotel therefor plenty of "working girls" at the residents bar! Area around hotel a construction site so not very attractive! Not very couple friendly!!

We stayed 2 nights in an updated room on the 10th floor which resembled chain hotel accommodation. Our room was comfortable and served as a decent base for exploring wonderful amazing Minsk. Despite the gorgeous 38°C temperatures that blessed our stay, the un-air-conditioned roomed stayed relatively cool. The large window afforded a fabulous view over the park and Svislach river and the twin beds (no doubles here we're told) were comfortable with large feather pillows. Our room was made up to a high standard each morning and everything was very clean.

The hotel is a 10 minute walk to Nymega or Frunzyenskaya metro stations and a 20 minute stroll to the centre of Minsk. Planeta staff were polite and professional, friendly and helpful - most spoke very good English. Our room had no minibar but there is a convenience shop selling supplies that you can take to your room. The "Express Bar" sells reasonably priced coffee, beer and snacks whilst an Al Fresco bar had sprung up in the grounds in front of the hotel and had a pleasant relaxed vibe. Other facilities included a Post Office and an ATM as well as a Bureau de Change that seemed never to shut.

Breakfast isn't bad but don't rely on them having everything ready by 7 if there's been a wedding party on site the night before... although walking through the arch of flowers to the sliced cheese and salami part of the buffet was at least a novelty! There was a good variety of hot and cold dishes with fried eggs, fried potatoes, a dozen types of hot meat, beans, salads, cakes etc.

If you're reading this you've almost certainly decided to visit Minsk but it can't be stressed enough what a vibrant, pleasant and engaging city it really is.