It's easy to knock these places but I will try and be as subjective as possible

The hotel was clean and the room comfortable. The staff will provide assistance without pushing themselves but I found their English to be very limited.

The hotel has a list of amenties but do not expect to be kept amused. The pool is tiny, smallest I have seen in fact and did not look too clean. They have two bars, one in reception and one on the staircase on the second floor, I was there a week and did not see more than two people at either. There is a billiard room, when the staff eventually found it I was given a box of balls which did not fit down the holes on the table. They have a casino but there are about 20 others to choose from within walking distance, it seems to be the national pastime.

I would avoid the resteraunt with the possible exception of breakfast, the meals are all buffet and very similar each day. The hotel has a small Chech resteraunt out back called Brino, it is far better but you will have to pay cash.

There was only one English speaking TV channel, CNN.

All that said, the hotel is central and convenient, with a reasonable view from the front, horrible from the back. The Silk Way shopping mall is round the corner and the business district is close by. In all not too bad for the money.

From the outside this looks like a typical communist ers concrete block. However it is very pleasant inside and the staff are friendly. The views from the front bedrooms are superb overlooking Panfilov Park with the spires and domes of the Zenkov Cathedral glinting through the trees and incredible mountains beyond. Must be one of the most spectacular views in the world. Visited June 2001.