Izmailovo Gamma Delta

The high-rise Gamma-Delta hotels are popular with business travelers and tour groups from Asia, lending a bustling atmosphere to the hotels' many common areas. In general, these properties aren't for quiet getaways. The lobbies are spangled with LED lights, loudly patterned carpets, fussy wingback armchairs, and big reception desks, where long lines form. One lobby is outfitted with Art Deco details like etched glass and copious brass filigree. Though it attempts some grandeur, the lobby doesn't reach upscale status, and the tourist pamphlets and flat-screen TVs bring things down a notch. Hallways are even less atmospheric, with fiberboard drop ceilings, wall-to-wall carpets, and overly bright lighting that feels institutional. But most guests don't stay in these spaces, opting instead to take advantage of all the hotel's features, including four restaurants, 13 cafes, a spa, and various other diversions. Another bonus: The properties are wheelchair accessible. 

The hotels are located in the Izmailovo district of Moscow. It's one of the most historic parts of the city, and it was the ancestral home of the Romanovs and the location of the 1980 Olympic Games. The properties overlook the picturesque Serebryano-Vernissage pond and the Partizanskyaya metro station is across the street; from here, it's a 15- to 20-minute ride to Red Square and other central Moscow attractions.  Next door to the hotel is Wedding Palace No. 5, a reproduction 17th-century mini-palace and popular wedding venue. The Bolshoi Theater is a 24-minute drive or a 29-minute train ride. Vnukovo International Airport is 50 minutes by car, traffic permitting, while the Kazaksky, Leningradsky, and Yaroslavsky railway stations are between 16 and 20 minutes away. 

Rooms at the Gamma-Delta are perfunctory, but not very stylish. Decor is generic, with white linen (the Delta Hotel offers a pillow menu) and striped or patterned duvets that match the pillows and the drapes. Simple wood-veneer furniture ranges from light to dark finishes and often includes built-in nightstands or desks with cabinets. Each room has a mini-fridge, and slippers and robes are provided. One highlight is turndown service, which includes chocolates on the pillows -- a nice touch. Note that the Gamma Hotel does not have air-conditioning, and the fans are not always so effective. Bathrooms have beige tile and shower/tub combos with rainfall showerheads, toiletries, hairdryers, and magnifying mirrors.  The rooms on the 15th floor and higher do have good city views. Guests should also make sure to ask for a room that never hosted smokers since some guests have reported cigarette smells in rooms labeled "nonsmoking." 

The lengthy list of features at the Gamma-Delta are one of the main reasons guests stay at this property. The complex has four restaurants serving everything from Russian to European cuisine, a few around-the-clock. There are also 13 cafes, including a few with 24-hour and lighter fare. What these dining establishments lack in refined elegance, they compensate for in sheer variety. Room service operates 24 hours as well. There are also gift shops with snacks, electronic goods, and jewelry. The fitness center is large and bright from overhead fluorescent lights. There is a pool, indoor track, and yoga classes to keep guests in shape. There's also a billiards space and a bowling alley. The Patroclinica Spa specializes in body wraps, and the steam room, traditional Turkish bath, and on-site beauty salon give other places for pampering. There are 19 meeting spaces for up to 500 guests, and audiovisual equipment can be arranged on request. The complex also has a technology help desk plus its own post office and bank. Wi-Fi and luggage storage are available free of charge, but there are fees for parking and pets. And while there aren't many features catering to kids, children under age 7 stay free.