New Russian Hotel Rules Promise Refund Clarity for Travelers

Starting March 1, travelers booking hotels, campsites, and resorts across Russia will operate under a new set of consumer-friendly regulations. The changes, formalized in a government decree, aim to standardize practices and protect guests' payments.

The most significant shift mandates full prepayment refunds if a guest cancels anytime before the scheduled check-in date. Should a hotel itself cancel a booking or fail to provide the service, it must now fully compensate the traveler for any losses incurred. If a guest cancels on the arrival day or simply doesn't show up, the property can only charge an amount equal to one night's stay, and must hold a guaranteed reservation for a full 24 hours.

Transparency is also a key focus. From March, every booking contract must clearly list the operator's official registry number, room category and square footage, a detailed breakdown of included and extra services, and the specific cancellation policy. In a move to curb unverified listings, online travel platforms are now prohibited from advertising accommodations that have not passed official registration checks.

These rules arrive ahead of a separate, broader hospitality standard set for introduction in June 2026, designed to elevate service levels for international visitors.