Moscow

Concierge.com's insider take:

This placid five-story hotel on the grounds of the Orthodox Danilovsky (St. Daniel) Monastery feels like a cross between a monastic inn and a Soviet-era hotel for top party officials. But don't let that put you off one of the few hotel bargains near central Moscow. The 116 air-conditioned rooms—decorated with icons and portraits of Russian Orthodox patriarch Aleksy II—were upgraded with new furnishings and modern bathroom fixtures in June 2008. Some, however, still feel slightly fusty: The flowery suites, for example, are reminiscent of an alpine B&B. If you want a double bed, be sure to ask for one (some "doubles" have twin beds). And request a room facing the cathedrals and the complex's lovely garden: The exterior view is industrial and unpleasant. While rooms are cheap by Moscow standards (about $250 for a double), the nondescript restaurant, which used to be known for relatively inexpensive—yet tasty and hearty—Russian fare has become pricier and more Continental. There is a small business center, sauna, and pool, and the Russian Orthodox Church sponsors concerts and exhibitions on the grounds. It's likely you'll encounter clergy among your fellow guests. The nearest metro station, Tulskaya, is a few minutes' walk away, and then it's a ten-minute ride to the Kremlin. A few years ago, the neighborhood (usually called Tulskaya after the metro stop) was remarkably dreary, but has been spruced up with the addition of big shopping malls (one with a roller rink).