Hotel Ukraina - Radisson Royal Hotel, Moscow

Ukraina by Arkady Mordvinov and Vyacheslav Oltarzhevsky (leading Soviet expert on steel-framed highrise construction) is the second tallest of the "sisters" (198 meters, 34 levels). It was the tallest hotel in the world from the time of its construction until the Peachtree Plaza Hotel opened in Atlanta, Georgia in 1975.Construction on the low river bank meant that the builders had to dig well below the water level. This was solved by an ingenious water retention system, using a perimeter of needle pumps driven deep into ground.The hotel reopened its doors again after a 3-year-renovation on April 28, 2010, now called Radisson Royal Hotel, Moscow , with 505 bedrooms and 38 apartments.The impressive façade of the former “Hotel Ukraina” was repaired in detail, while modern technology has been added, including multi-level water cleaning systems and unique air circulation systems. Further, there are five restaurants with national and international menus, a modern conference centre with several meeting rooms, a conference hall for up to 400 guests, a banquet hall for up to 1,000 guests and a restaurant, and a "wellness club" including a 50 meter indoor pool. One of the hotel's restaurants, and one of the bars, are located on the top, 31st, floor.There are also about 1,200 original paintings by the most prominent Russian artists of the first half of the 20th century, and on the first floor the unique Diorama “Moscow – Capital of the USSR” (scale 1:75) which shows the historical centre of Moscow and the city’s surroundings from Luzjniki to Zemlyanoi Val in the year 1977, when the artwork was created.The hotel belongs to the same investors as the Slavyanskaya Hotel nearby, and the Europa Shopping Centre in between.