Good hotel - very central - well heated in winter.
Internet access is free, but only available in the lobby, which is full of smokers.
Restaurant is OK (menu with English translation). At night : female pianist + violinist + opera singer entertain the customers.

I guess people in Belarus are trying to attract more tourists that's why I was treated like a king in this hotel. In some situations I felt uncomfortable because I was doint toooooo much for me.

Another thing suprised me... employees don't demand tips and even refuse to take it in some situations.

Rooms, service, location, restaurant... everything was more than perfect.

I stayed there 2.5 weeks the only thing which went wrong was when I got a phone call in the middle of the night and some women asked me if I need to... "relax" at night. I complained to hotel stuff and they switched my phone number right away.

Stayed in "Minsk" during the month of July and totally enjoyed it. Clean, modern, fully equipped hotel that didn't make us regret the money spent. Rooms a bit on a smaller side of things, dut nevertheless very comfortable and hygienic. Loved the bathrooms. Service very good, but have a bit of patience with the staff - language barrier.

As others have written, this would definitely be a three star Ibis or Best Western anywhere else in the world, but in Belarus its the number three hotel in the country (after the Hotel Europe and Crowne Plaza) and seems very proud of its four star status.

To its credit, there's not so much evidence of the Soviet era mentality and atmosphere that permeates much of the rest of the city, it underwent major renovation in 2002 and everything (lifts, water, electricity, reception) runs pretty much on western lines. The rooms are adequately furnished, not much for English speakers to watch on TV still other than CNN or CNBC business news, but they're warm and cosy. The lobby area is also fairly pleasant to drink and the entire hotel is completely prostitute-free, which can not be said of many other hotels in the city.

Breakfast was quite a treat, with a good combination of continental, American and Russian cuisine, its a shame that the staff working in the restaurant look like they've just heard their entire families have been sent to the gulags for life. The arrangement is also with a handful of big tables which the staff are in no rush to clear, so you'd better enjoy sharing your table with complete strangers, otherwise no food !

The location is superb though, right on the main drag and no more than 15 minutes walk from anywhere downtown, the football ground is only 10 minutes walk away and for those who don't fancy the Russian food on the menu, there's a McDonalds and TGI Fridays 10 minutes walk up the road. The main post office is opposite and many bars/restaurants in the neighbourhood, along with the railway station and a statue of Lenin.

For a short stay in Minsk its ideal, just a shame about the price.