An "Izba", is a traditional Russian countryside house, and is actually a type of log cabin. Izbaki are usually built close to a road or path in conjunction with a barn, kitchen garden, hay shed, or fodder storage. Surrounding outbuildings delineate a yard which is surrounded by a simple woven stick fence.

Bed & breakfasts and guest houses are similar in style and can be found in cities, towns, villages and in the countryside throughout Russia (albeit under different names). Usually operated by owners who may have just a few rooms to rent, B&Bs offer wonderful opportunities to meet and enjoy the company of the locals. These are more often than not considered to be a great value for the money, and although they may not always have a bathroom en suite, they usually have a washbasin in the room. Hearty full breakfasts are also a normal feature.

Back to the USSR. Soviet Era Lodging is a budget option for the locals who have retained their Soviet-style thrift. Stunning Stalin area architecture (the Primorskaya Hotel for example) and the typical Soviet sanatorium grey blocks from the 1970’s are such an example. The atmosphere is really just like in the communistic days. Sometimes it is impossible to pay with a credit card as there were no credit cards in Soviet Union at many checkout counters.

A sanatorium is a combination of a resort and a medical facility. A sanatorium is a convalescent home. Some of them provide very good medical services but their restaurants leave often much to be desired. They usually have a dining area, medical personnel on staff, and depending upon their specialty, other specialties. It is quite common also for sanatorias to be near a beach.

Those that have not been redeveloped are generally lack lustre and the service often seem to take little account of what guests actually want. Nevertheless, the rooms are usually clean and of a good size. These hotels can also offer a fascinating insight into how the elite in the Soviet era used to live. It is planned that service will be standardized with the advent of a common system of hotel accreditation. Not all hotels have air conditioning which can be a drawback in summer. Rooms in an ex-Soviet hotel always contain a television, a fridge, and a telephone. International calls from rooms are expensive and may not be easy to make if they have to be booked through the operator. En-suite bathrooms with a bath or shower are also standard. Ex-Soviet hotels, particularly the cheaper places, are not likely to have sophisticated room service, although a laundry service can usually be arranged. Many ex-Soviet hotels still have a "dezhurnaya" (concierge) sitting at a desk on each floor.  Friendly relations with the "dezhurnaya" will increase the chances of receiving good service or obtaining food and drink at unusual hours.

These generally offer very good conditions but are not officially star rated. Most of the newer resorts and sanatorias in Sochi, Adler, Anapa, and Gelendzhik, can be described as New Russian Style Accommodation. Usually the staff is able to communicate in Englsh. Most of the time privately owned and offer all the amenities of the 3 Star Hotels.