Meridian Arkhangelsk

Basic, but far less basic then I expected, the Meridian is just ok if all you'r looking for is a clean room with a clean bed. I stayed there three days at the end of 2012 and must say I really got to appreciate the place. Yes, it has the atmosphere of a forlorn Sowjet place out of the seventies, but it is still well kept, clean and more than good enough for bufget travellers. I paid €25 per night including breakfast for the so-called "Priboy" standard single room, breakfast included. The room: Basic. Two beds, a closet, a desk and a chair. In Priboy rooms you have to share the -once again, basic but clean- bathroom with the room next to yours. That's ok, since unless the hotel is full (very unlikely), they will give you a room with a bathroom for your selves. Service: Russian. Which -if you ask me- is maybe not that welcoming, but it was ok. At several moments of the day/week, several ladies will be at the reception. I met three, of which only one spoke English. But still, with me speaking virtually no Russian, checking in, checking out and finding something to drink or eat was no problem. Breakfast: Was included. Basic again. Two slices of bread, butter, two slices of cheese and two fired eggs or two sausages, plus coffe or tea. Location: Close to the Dvina river. Surrounded by a garden, but about half an hour of walking or 100 Rubles by taxi from the centre. Apart from some minor shops not much to buy in the vicinity. Other services: I didn't use. However, there quite good website (in English) suggests more than they can actually deliver. Unless your fluent in Russian maybe. Overall: Basic is, as you may have understood already, the keyword at Meridian. That said, I really liked my stay here. With budget accomodation in Russia often expensive, rude and untidy, I found the Meridian scoring surprisingly well on all points. Would I recommended it? Yes, full hearthedly for the experienced traveller that knows a bit about Russian accomodation. I would even still recommend it to all others not too picky. If I'm ever staying in Arkhangels again, which is not very likely, I'd stay here again for sure.