Nice hotel. Located right in the center of Minsk's downtown. Walking distance to an underground subway station, many restaurants, stores, university, museums. A bit outdated and small rooms. My room had a view on the central Nezalezhnast' square, which was a great view. Service is typical for a former soviet country. Very small beds, not a queen sized, as we used to have in USA.

First time to Hotel Minsk. Staff are wonderful, rooms are clean, but dated. Bathrooms are spotless, but they only give you one bath towel. Air conditioning worked (and it was hot/sticky one day). The base level price room is small, but typically European. There's a hot water maker in the room and one packet of instant coffee (and two tea bags) each day, if you like having your first cup in the room. The shower is very good. Amenities are, again, typical of former USSR upscale hotels -- one shampoo, one shower gel, and one small bar of soap (but all a replenished daily). No lotion. The room was really quiet (I faced out to the parking lot).

The only complaints I have about this hotel are the bed - quite hard, as compared to, say, Marriott Courtyard -- and the fitness center. There are practically no aerobic devices in the fitness center. Just one ellyptical trainer (European style but it worked) and one cycle machine. Neither are modern versions but I did manage to get in my workouts. Lots of weights available, however.

Breakfast: A sizeable buffet, especially if you like eating dinner at breakfast time --- chicken and pork cutlets; hot dogs and french fries; various hot veggies, desert cakes; etc. Yes, there were breakfast items - hard boiled eggs; 3% flavored yogurt (very good!); two kinds of cereal; various breads and cheeses; blintz squares; and best of all, fresh crepe pancakes (which I topped with jam). I basically ate the same breakfast each day, deciding that dinner is dinner (and not breakfast).

I used the lobby bar several times, for drinks at the end of the day plus internet access. The bar tenders were very nice, internet worked seamlessly always, but, as others have mentioned, the smoke is irritating especially to non-smoker sensitive noses. I'm used to this from other European/Russian travels, but still bothersome. Do your best to just get a relatively open space, and block the chairs on both sides. Vodka shots are CHEAP - basically $1.30 per 50ml.

Well located, with easy walks to nearby restaurants. There's a huge underground shopping center within 30 yards of the front hotel entrance which has a supermarket to buy supplies if you need. Very clean and upscale area overall. Bus transportation and Metro are very close.

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.