Novosibirsk is Russia's third city after Moscow and St Petersburg, and the largest in Siberia with a population of 1.47 million. An educational, scientific, cultural and entertainment centre, it also has significant industry. 

Hotel choice and standards in Novosibirsk are dramatically improving for business and budget travellers alike. The Doubletree by Hilton, opened in 2011, a pioneering new-build Western chain hotel in Siberia, offers all you would expect, with fabulous top floor gym, pool, and sauna facilities. 

Hugely improved is the Azimut Hotel Sibir and the River Park Hotel, close to a remarkable winter ice park. If you prefer the more intimate atmosphere of a boutique hotel, try either the Garden Apple Hotel or the Boutique Hotel Nord Castle.

Whether you're here for work, or a quick respite from crossing Siberia by train, Novosibirsk has a wide selection of places to stay, eat, drink and relax.

Overlooking mighty Ob’ River, The River Park is a renovated 3* hotel, now offering five different categories of accommodation in its 310 rooms: apartments, studio, standard, economy twin and economy. 

Free wifi throughout, gym, sauna and swimming pool, beauty saloon, as well as a promise of ‘the best breakfasts in the city’. 

The 'Il Faro' restaurant offers ‘a blend of European entrees and Siberian largesse’. The lobby bar, with comfortable sofas, never closes, there is also a summer terrace. 

This is a small 3* hotel compared with some of Novosibirsk's cavernous options, with 33 rooms -  studios, luxury rooms and apartments available as well as standard singles and doubles - aimed mainly at the business traveller. 

The hotel offers conference hall, sitting 120 people.  

There is a round-the-clock grill bar and several saunas with billiards. All rooms are air-conditioned, with television and minibars. 

Longest established Irish pub in Novosibirsk. Formerly 'Beer Mug', it was also the first Irish pub opened east of Urals in 1997. 

Certainly worth a visit, even for a quick pint of - always fresh - Guinness.

It is only a short walk up the Krasniy Prospect from Lenin Square, where the Opera and Ballet is; two rooms, sitting up to 60 people, get crowded on weekends, when popular local bands play live music. 

The largest in the city, and also the tallest (Soviet-looking) building. Handy for the railway station, which is just a minute walk across the square. 

Hotel's 430 rooms on 23 floors vary from 'luxury suites' to standard accommodation, making a traditional bolt hole for those wanting a break from rail trips across Russia, but many more too. 

As the hotel boasts, regular guests ‘are top managers of leading Russian and foreign companies, celebrities, famous actors and actresses and outstanding sportsmen. High operational standards and professional staff are the best recommendation for the hotel’. 

Everyone knows that Istanbul is the city of contrasts; much less known is that Novosibirsk is the city of start-ups.