TO SLEEP
HOUSE ABOVE THE CELLARS
ДОМ НА ПОГРЕБАХ
About
A part of Rostov Kremlin, Dom na Pogrebakh dates back to 17th century, when it served as a food warehouse. The cellars were filled in with ice from the Lake Nero which helped to keep fish and meat fresh, even during the summer months. In the end of the 17th century, a wooden upper floor was built, and the house was turned into the living quarters where monastic cells were located. The Great Menaion Reader, one of the most famous collection of biblical books in Russian Orthodox church, was written in one of the cells of Dom na Pogrebakh. In the 18th and 19th centuries the house burnt several times, but was always repaired. After the revolution, it was turned into communal flats, until 1953 when the tornado destroyed the roof of the building. The house was restored once again, an the hotel opened here in 1971. Since then, nothing has changed. The furniture dates from 1970s, while the walls and the vaulted celing date back to the 17th century. Even though it's far from being a luxury accommodation, the place is unique. It's one of the two kremlins in Russia (the other is in Tobolsk) where you can actually stay on the territory of the kremlin. It is also a great opportunity to explore the empty kremlin grounds outside the visiting hours. Just keep your hotel guest card with you, and you can go in and out of the kremlin walls any time of day and night.
There's no restaurant at the hotel but you can have breakfast at the restaurant Sobranie located on the territory of the kremlin. Alternatively, for tea and a snack head to a café underneath the hotel. They have hot drinks, pancakes, gingerbread, and ice-cream.
Info
Rostov Kremlin (Dom na Pogrebakh), Ростовский Кремль (Дом на Погребах)
The hotel is located on the territory of Rostov Kremlin. From the railway and the bus station, cross the motorway and walk down Lunacharskogo St. which later merges into Moravskogo St. Walk until the end of this street, and then turn right to Karla Marxa St. You'll see the kremlin in front of you. The central entrance is from Sobornaya Square. Whichever entrance you choose, tell the security that you're going to the hotel, and they'll let you in without a ticket. The hotel is located in a two-storey building with the stone ground floor painted in peach colour, and wooden upper floor. There's a staircase outside the buidling, and the sign of the hotel in Russian. If you arrive after 5pm (when the kremlin closes), use the central entrance to get in. Press the bell to call the security, and they'll let you in. You might need to call the hotel in advance to organise the late check-in.
+7 48536 612 44
Go to Website (only in Russian)
Restaurant: the restaurant is located on the ground floor. It serves traditional Russian food, tasty and hearty. Beside, they have English menu.
Rooms: There're 16 rooms located on the two floors of the hotel. Stone ground floor includes a spacious ensuite double room, and a two-room suite. Apart from the vaulted ceiling, none of the historical interiors have survived. The upper floor has an older stone part, and a newer wooden part (although, ironically, wooden part of the building looks more authentic and older than the stone part). Wooden part consists of 7 rooms (single, twin, or triple), all with shared bathrooms. Stone part also has 7 rooms (single or twin), some have ensuite bathrooms, others only a sink. Rooms 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16 have the best views, they overlook the main square of the kremlin.
SELIVANOV HOTEL
ГОСТИНИЦА "СЕЛИВАНОВЪ"
About
A cheerful three-storey building with bay windows happens to be one of the oldest edifices in Rostov outside the kremlin walls. The building once belonged to Selivanovs, one of the richest merchant families in Rostov. The lower part of the building dates back from the 18th century, although the upper floors have been built in art nouveau style only in the beginning of the 20th century. Just as many other buildings in town, the house was nationalised after the revolution, and converted into communal flats. The major part of the interiors haven't survived until today, and have been reconstructed by the new hotel owners with mixed success. The main staircase with colourful frescoes on the walls may look a bit too garish and kitschy, but who knows, maybe that's what provincial merchant houses looked like a century ago. All rooms are tastefully decorated, and have good furniture. Rooms with bay windows (junior suites) are the most spacious and light. There's a decent restaurant, a coffeeshop, and a sauna at the premises.
The restaurant Parizhzh ("Парижж") is located on the ground floor. They serve Russian and European food, and have a special menu for vegetarians. Menu comes in Russian, English, and German.
Info
5 Okruzhnaya St. (ул. Окружная, д. 5)
The hotel is just a stone's throw away from the Lake Nero, and 7min walk from the kremlin. To get there from the railway and the bus stations, walk down Lunacharskogo St., and take the third turn left on Okruzhnaya St. Walk down the street until you see a yellow three-storey building (it's the tallest building on the street so it's hard to miss it), the walk shouldn't take more than 25min. There're no buses that go directly from the railway station to the hotel but you can take a taxi, all rides within the town cost 100₽.
+7 48536 657 55
English-speaking staff
Cooked breakfast is included in the rate. It's served in the restaurant on the ground floor from 8 until 10am on weekdays, and from 8 until 11am on weekends. When the hotel is full they serve buffet breakfast, and you can choose one hot meal (omelette, fried eggs, or porridge). When the hotel is empty, they'll cook breakfast for you, just let the reception know what you want.
Rooms: There're 25 rooms in this hotel. 8 Twin rooms are located on the attic floor, 5 Twin, and 8 more spacious Comfort Twin rooms on the 1st and the 2nd floor, and there're also 4 junior suites. The latter are the most spacious, and have double bed and sitting areas. We particularly recommend junior suites with bay windows, they have better views.