Russia: Venue update - Moscow and St Petersburg.

It takes something pretty remarkable to cause a splash in a hotel market like Moscow's, but the July unveiling of the pounds 175m Ritz-Carlton has done just that (ritzcarlton.com).

The 334-room property - built on the site of the infamous old Intourist hotel, just off Red Square - has raised industry eyebrows with its promises of ultra-decadence. This may have a lot to do with its pricing structure - pounds 500 for a basic room, pounds 8,000 for the top suite and a champagne, caviar and truffle breakfast at a cool pounds 350 - but with spa treatments, fine dining and event space for up to 700, there's clear appeal for high-end groups.

Elsewhere in the Russian …