General Discussion

HipChick

(25,612 posts)

16. See my post below...this matches what folks on TripAdvisor are saying about the non-Visa Transit

Fri Jul 5, 2013, 12:28 AM

Jul 2013

zone of the hotel..

Transit passengers were not allowed to wonder about in the hotel. We had security staff (who spoke no English) following us everywhere we went. They reminded me of the former KGB. Apparently they were very afraid of us transit passengers running away into their country. As if.
The KGB agents were there to see when we had our brekkie and lunch. Both were quite horrible but I ate them, since the vending machine only spat out chocolate that was out of date. The staff showed no mercy and treated us like inmates with a life sentence. Everyone thought the same way. Most of the people were German, but even they were silent around the KGB. I was able to understand however how unwelcomed they felt. This was a relief, since I thought maybe I was imagining it all due to high fever.
Personally I think that had I stayed in the hotel as a normal tourist with a visa, I would have gotten better treatment. I mean, honestly, we had our own isolated section and we had no access to anywhere, except the vending machine that only took Russian currency. Products in the vending machine war about three months out of date. Novotel was a 4 star hotel, but for transit passengers the stars don’t really shine. We were treated as a nuisance rather than guests of their hotel.
The standard of service was very low at Novotel. They would pretend not to speak English when it suited them. I am not high maintenance, I have travelled a bit and seen very bad accommodation and service.
This experience was both amusing and horrible. I kept my game face on the whole time, since I think it would only have gotten worse had I complained. I would not recommend anyone to stay at Novotel Sheremetyevo as a transit passenger. When I flew back from Tokyo, I had to spend one night in Moscow again. This time I chose to sleep on the floor in the terminal building. It turned out to be quite the pleasant surprise.

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Highlight:

Inside Edward Snowden's luxury hotel which has its own swimming pool, Turkish baths, gym and library [View all] flamingdem Jul 2013 OP

and someone defending this guy here at DU actually told me this is about arely staircase Jul 2013 #1

made me laugh. Well, he's so courageous he deserves semi-luxe digs dontcha think? KittyWampus Jul 2013 #2

We can see why he's not in such a big hurry flamingdem Jul 2013 #3

Rude has you covered LondonReign2 Jul 2013 #137

And here I thought he was imprisoned in some high sec area of the airport.. RedCappedBandit Jul 2013 #4

He's in that hotel, but the high security part meaning flamingdem Jul 2013 #12

See the link in Comment #7. Folks without papers basically cannot leave their room... Tx4obama Jul 2013 #15

I just paid $150/night eissa Jul 2013 #5

Getting zee treatment flamingdem Jul 2013 #9

How dare you assassinate his character!! CakeGrrl Jul 2013 #6

That's why I so wanted him to end up in Venezuela flamingdem Jul 2013 #11

I've had a similar thought. Asylum in a far-left country? Karmic payback CakeGrrl Jul 2013 #82

Russia is my second choice flamingdem Jul 2013 #83

He was proud of his stock shorting prowess. That, to me, says something about his mindset. MADem Jul 2013 #108

The main part of the Novotel is out of bounds for the folks that do not have their papers in order Tx4obama Jul 2013 #7

Yes, that part of the hotel probably has lots of these: flamingdem Jul 2013 #10

See my post below...this matches what folks on TripAdvisor are saying about the non-Visa Transit HipChick Jul 2013 #16

This whole incident is NOT going to help Russian tourism! flamingdem Jul 2013 #44

A short excerpt from the ABC article Tx4obama Jul 2013 #48

I wonder if he smokes.. HipChick Jul 2013 #54

Well he isn't smoking anymore since he can't leave his room without a passport... Tx4obama Jul 2013 #64

I wonder if Sarah smokes, if so she must be regetting this mission flamingdem Jul 2013 #78

She is British, but I am thinking that she has a visa HipChick Jul 2013 #85

Hmm. She's doing the legwork and getting the cigs flamingdem Jul 2013 #86

Exactly...its countdown time now..so something will happen soon. HipChick Jul 2013 #87

Would they let her go on and off the transit floor? treestar Jul 2013 #138

I bet the Visas cost an arm and a leg! n/t flamingdem Jul 2013 #68

Did you find it on the map? HooptieWagon Jul 2013 #8

I'm not up on the map joke being overused by the Snowdenistas flamingdem Jul 2013 #27

Yes. Obviously its an embarrassment to the BOG. HooptieWagon Jul 2013 #32

Both sides are guilty of errors this round. So are heads of state flamingdem Jul 2013 #49

Uh, no. HooptieWagon Jul 2013 #94

Oh you haven't seen the breathless posts about Maduro and the CIA being behind the Bolivian thing? flamingdem Jul 2013 #97

No, there have been no claims of Maduro's involvement... HooptieWagon Jul 2013 #112

I tried. savalez Jul 2013 #142

OMG - A hotel with a pool and each room even has a bed, a desk and a chair! How decadent! leveymg Jul 2013 #13

No pool privledges for Snowden. He is confined to his room in the 'locked down' wing of the hotel Tx4obama Jul 2013 #19

And the wifi is weak there flamingdem Jul 2013 #23

I've read some hotel reviews on the other link in this thread and some folks said they... Tx4obama Jul 2013 #36

I saw that too...a lot of time, these hotels don't have enough repeaters or they are managed by 3rd HipChick Jul 2013 #52

It goes to show that he may not be in such a hurry to leave flamingdem Jul 2013 #24

Yep...Figuring he is staying with Assange's ex lover =$600 per night for both HipChick Jul 2013 #29

Unless they're sharing the same room flamingdem Jul 2013 #63

Well, her parents are saying they haven't heard from here since she flew to Hong Kong.. HipChick Jul 2013 #66

Assange would bust out of the Ecuadoran Embassy in a jealous rage flamingdem Jul 2013 #69

Check out the reviews on TripAdvisor for the no-Visa Transit part of the hotel.. HipChick Jul 2013 #14

Uff! Nightmare hotel! The worst for Eddy is the slow internet flamingdem Jul 2013 #20

Slow WIFI that the Russian security folks are tapping into.. HipChick Jul 2013 #25

LOL of course, every poot is heard by several security agents flamingdem Jul 2013 #79

IT'S NOT ABOUT SNOWDEN JI7 Jul 2013 #17

He made it about himself HipChick Jul 2013 #18

Not about Eddie? I want 24/7 Snowden news flamingdem Jul 2013 #21

How do you think Paul Revere would feel about the Novotel Hotel flamingdem Jul 2013 #47

OMG....I can't breathe... HipChick Jul 2013 #55

Have we fully taken advantage of the Paul Revere insanity evidenced here flamingdem Jul 2013 #59

Well played... SidDithers Jul 2013 #103

Plus, I hear that if you stay there, Anna Chapman will offer to marry you! struggle4progress Jul 2013 #22

Help. I don't know who that is flamingdem Jul 2013 #38

Yes, Anna Chapman the Russian spy. Link below Tx4obama Jul 2013 #41

Oh, so sad, ill fated love! flamingdem Jul 2013 #45

Most countries I would think would not accept such as obvious ploy! treestar Jul 2013 #141

That spy was Chapman struggle4progress Jul 2013 #70

Well, at least he's not living eissa Jul 2013 #26

I lived in Germany and its shocking for a Yankee to have to show a passport all the time flamingdem Jul 2013 #30

I lived in Europe and never had to carry ID around with me HipChick Jul 2013 #33

Really? In Germany you have to always have an ID card or they can hold you flamingdem Jul 2013 #40

Not in the UK...I got stopped by the cops there once,and they said I could bring it into the station HipChick Jul 2013 #60

Right...he is unable to leave his room, or leave the floor he is staying on.. HipChick Jul 2013 #31

So many Americans don't appreciate eissa Jul 2013 #43

Well, this proves beyond a doubt that the White House is not spying MannyGoldstein Jul 2013 #28

Aren't you even curious about Snowden and his fish out of water life in Moscow? flamingdem Jul 2013 #35

... Rex Jul 2013 #152

I'm not sure what this article does except to really say little if nothing at all. R. Daneel Olivaw Jul 2013 #34

I'm unashamed about being 100% into Snowden gossip flamingdem Jul 2013 #37

It's not gossip. It's conjecture. R. Daneel Olivaw Jul 2013 #39

How to make Pelmini (Russian Dumplings) FreepFryer Jul 2013 #42

This is not Julia Childs Kitchen, this is the Snowden Channel! flamingdem Jul 2013 #46

I have to agree...I still the Finale HipChick Jul 2013 #50

I see different possible endings, maybe a twist flamingdem Jul 2013 #53

I do see another scenario... HipChick Jul 2013 #57

Well, at least you're finally admitting that that's what it's all about for you guys. Th1onein Jul 2013 #81

But aren't you here to counteract the Defenders of the Police State? CakeGrrl Jul 2013 #84

No, honey, you sure aren't. Th1onein Jul 2013 #96

There are many more Snowdenbots than there are folks wanting him to be arrested and go to trial Tx4obama Jul 2013 #90

Exactly! flamingdem Jul 2013 #95

Apparently you're not smart enough to multi-task, though. Th1onein Jul 2013 #98

As I've explained I'm into Snowden gossip flamingdem Jul 2013 #101

It's all about the messenger; not the message. Th1onein Jul 2013 #106

That is NOT true. Tx4obama Jul 2013 #102

You could care less about the Fourth Amendment, then, right? Th1onein Jul 2013 #107

There is a difference between discussing the 'legalities' of an issue and giving a personal opinion Tx4obama Jul 2013 #110

It's pretty obvious, with your focus on Snowden. Th1onein Jul 2013 #116

might have to try that one out think Jul 2013 #51

Also known as 'Pierogi' in eastern Europe Tx4obama Jul 2013 #58

Spasiba! That sounds delicious, and not so difficult to make! n/t Tanuki Jul 2013 #80

How do we KNOW he's there? Rstrstx Jul 2013 #56

You are right, how come we are trusting Putin at all? flamingdem Jul 2013 #61

Putin very recently said he wants Snowden to hurry up and decide where he's going and to leave Tx4obama Jul 2013 #62

That was the big story out of Moscow today, Putin is very impatient flamingdem Jul 2013 #65

How soon was "very recently"? Rstrstx Jul 2013 #67

Apparently today Tx4obama Jul 2013 #71

This is very telling, they don't want a stand off but won't hand him over? flamingdem Jul 2013 #77

In the past before all of this Snowden dust up... Tx4obama Jul 2013 #88

Maybe he's waiting for a little calm before unleashing that storm flamingdem Jul 2013 #89

Not to sound conspiratorialist or anything... Rstrstx Jul 2013 #105

See the bolded parts... Tx4obama Jul 2013 #109

Those aren't the dates you're looking for Rstrstx Jul 2013 #111

I wasn't the one looking for dates. You're the one that said you didn't see many dates... Tx4obama Jul 2013 #113

Doh, I guess that went over like a lead balloon Rstrstx Jul 2013 #115

I think the only one I've seen is first one when first came out, that was a long time ago. n/t Tx4obama Jul 2013 #117

A long long time ago... Rstrstx Jul 2013 #118

Thanks! This is a good story to start my Snowden research today flamingdem Jul 2013 #120

I wonder who will play Snowden.. HipChick Jul 2013 #119

Any of these actors appeal to you? flamingdem Jul 2013 #121

I'm Thinking More... KharmaTrain Jul 2013 #132

True. Skinny and pale would be best flamingdem Jul 2013 #134

I like your theory, that would be pretty dramatic flamingdem Jul 2013 #72

Maybe there was a secret compartment on the plane... Tx4obama Jul 2013 #73

When he emerged he was covered with snow flamingdem Jul 2013 #75

Well we know secrecy is not Snowden's strong point.. HipChick Jul 2013 #74

True! If he had wifi that was fast enough he'd be blogging from the Novotel flamingdem Jul 2013 #76

What ever ended up happening to MacAfee - I missed the end of that story Tx4obama Jul 2013 #91

He made it back to the USA and is up to some new project flamingdem Jul 2013 #92

Here's the latest that Wikipedia has on him Tx4obama Jul 2013 #100

Sorry, but even such luxury gets way old real quick Bolo Boffin Jul 2013 #93

Wikileaks must be running out of money to pay for it too flamingdem Jul 2013 #99

IMO, money is not a problem; his knowledge of NSA innerworkings could be worth a lot and AlinPA Jul 2013 #128

I really think that Wikileaks can't front the money until then flamingdem Jul 2013 #129

Save the drama for your mama Ellipsis Jul 2013 #104

"It's a hard life on the run.." Cha Jul 2013 #114

Good points Cha flamingdem Jul 2013 #123

Speaking of Paul Revere NoPasaran Jul 2013 #127

I certainly didn't know it.. Mahalo, NoPasaran! Cha Jul 2013 #148

the posts in this thread are almost unimaginably shallow cali Jul 2013 #122

Does your ignore function not work? HipChick Jul 2013 #126

why should I put this on ignore and why don't you follow your own cali Jul 2013 #144

It's kinda weird that you e-stalk me all over different threads..just to disagree with me HipChick Jul 2013 #145

uh, you posted to me, not the other way around cali Jul 2013 #146

That's funny..since if you read the the thread below, quite a few other DU'ers also think you are HipChick Jul 2013 #147

Remember The Snotty Kids In Elemantary School HangOnKids Jul 2013 #135

what a freakin waste G_j Jul 2013 #124

UNREC brooklynite Jul 2013 #125

A clone army of Lindsay Mills with gymnastic skills and grappling hooks. randome Jul 2013 #130

These Old School guys could get him out, I heart Ilya, and he speaks Russian! flamingdem Jul 2013 #131

Ah, the spies of yesteryear. randome Jul 2013 #133

If you remember the Man From Uncle flamingdem Jul 2013 #136

I had Tiger soldiers, which I can't find an image of. randome Jul 2013 #143

That's a great monster flamingdem Jul 2013 #154

Massage, LCD TV, swimming pool LittleBlue Jul 2013 #139

Oh, oh you have SHAMED me by diminishing the import of my post! flamingdem Jul 2013 #140

What's your point MNBrewer Jul 2013 #149

What's the point of trying to discuss a post you think is pointless? flamingdem Jul 2013 #150

Pure ridicule, actually MNBrewer Jul 2013 #151

Your side is rarely very witty flamingdem Jul 2013 #153

You mean the side of the democrats? MNBrewer Jul 2013 #155

Snowdenites in this case flamingdem Jul 2013 #156

Has Greenwald visited or is he off looking for the next big thing? great white snark Jul 2013 #157

I think he's currently mad that Assange grabbed the spotlight from him flamingdem Jul 2013 #158

I think the bombshell will be that they are now all employed by the Koch brothers. great white snark Jul 2013 #159

Ha! Breaking News is that Nicaragua has offered asylum flamingdem Jul 2013 #160

or give him a temporary way to leave the transit hotel to their Embassy HipChick Jul 2013 #161