This hotel is very conveniently located near the Palace of the Republic and the Presidential residence. It made me feel extra safe to walk past the presidential guards when I came home at night.

The hotel doesn't look as fresh in person as it does on their web site, but it's clean everywhere and the staff is universally friendly. This hotel has no nightclub, which I consider to be an advantage but I'm sure others will disagree.

I only ate breakfast here. They offer a wide selection, but the quality of food is clearly inferior to the more expensive Hotel Minsk down the road. I did like the fact that they offer inexpensive ($4) access to a good health club at the Hotel Minsk, a sister property.

There are at least a few renovated rooms here. Rooms on the third floor are newer, for example, than rooms on the 5th or 7th floor, both of which we rejected. We visited twice and asked for rooms on the third floor both times. I would not recommend other floors except as examples of historical soviet style.

If you can stay on the third floor, I think this place is a very good value, especially given the location.

Since my first review of this hotel I have stayed at the Oktyabraskaya several more times, but this time I felt I needed to send an update to my former comments. While I have known the Belarussian people for years, this hotel is still my favorite for a few comedic reasons, but realizing that many will have other reasons to be in Minsk, maybe those considering hotels for a trip to Minsk should take note. The hotel is NOT a typical european hotel... it is less than you might expect and the rooms have not been updated - very 70ish. They say they have lux rooms, but personally I have never seen them. The interiors are green and gold, furnishings heavy, phones push button and slow and lighting - well, dim. Breakfasts are included with the room, but sometimes you will order from the menu (no english) and sometimes they will have a buffet that most everyone can satisfy themselves with. I personally like the Soviet feel and decor, and mostly the central location to everything in Minsk. Also, all rooms on the front (entry side) of the hotel have nice views of Minsk. A new benefit is that at least one employee speaks English now, where as before there was no one.

I expected very little when entering in a Belarus hotel, Oktyabrskaya, as in the country not everything works. I was though pleasantly surprised. Room was very clean and contained furniture one would expect to see in a 60's luxury hotel, I thought that was actually great! There were no prostitutes round the area, as the presidential palace was right next to the hotel. Remember NOT to take pictures from the presidential palace, the guard will demand to see all the pictures you took. :)

The breakfast was at a lovely room, but not to my taste. Porridge and eggs are good but salads are quite horrible. And coffee came in last, so you should order drinks separately to avoid the draught in your mouth. :)

But all in all, the lovely rooms were something to see, and experience was very positive!

However, I stayed there only for one night, so couldn't see everything hotel had to offer.

Kimmo F.