Fodor's Expert Review Ulanskaya

Functional rooms in the back of a monolithic government building have drab modern furnishings and cover all the shades of beige and gray, colored only by 17th-century-style lithographs, at this hotel. The main attraction is the surrounding historical neighborhood; also highly praised are the reception attendants, who greet you with cheery smiles. An upbeat attitude is also audible some nights in the restaurant, where the house band is led by one of Russia's most celebrated jazz musicians, saxophonist Igor Butman. The tree-lined Boulevard Ring is a two-minute walk away and Red Square a pleasant half-hour stroll.