Hotel Cristal

Those old windows are practically part of the exhibit: they have USSR-era handles and no double glazing, so the rooms get hot in the daytime, then cold and noisy at night. Better leave them alone. The place feels like a time capsule from 1985, from the carpets and room keys to the bathtub. The carpet may even have been there for your grandfather’s seaside trips, back when he brought a water heater. On the way to the beach, the birch trees could make you think of Moscow. Torn umbrellas and sharp shells underfoot add their own history lesson. In the bathroom, the broken exhaust fan lets smells drift through the room and bring you closer to your partner. The modern 19-inch TV and quiet air conditioner are the main threats to the period atmosphere. The AC only cools to 25 degrees, which is much too cold. You also collect the TV and AC remotes at reception with a signature. Lose one and, apparently, a KGB chekist from the sinister basement will execute you on the spot. A rare chance to live the way your grandparents did.