Three distinct batches of the Hotel-class were constructed, differing mainly in their armament fit. The Hotel I boats relied on the R-13 (SS-N-4) "Sark" missile series while the Hotel II boats were finished with support for the R-21 (SS-N-5) "Serb" missile series. The Hotel II batch were merely seven of the Hotel I boats reworked during 1961 to 1963 with the new D-4 launching system. One boat, K-145, was reworked during 1969 /1970 to the Hotel III standard in an effort to trial the R-29 missile family (six missiles to be carried in two 3-cell blocks). The hull was lengthened for the role and, in turn, displacement increased and the vessel proved slower than all her sisters - making headway at 22 knots when submerged.
As Cold War submarine designs went, the Hotel-class was influenced by an earlier Soviet effort - the aforementioned November-class. These were themselves notable in becoming the first Soviet submarines to operate strictly under nuclear power (as opposed to diesel-electric arrangements) and proved a grand evolution of the Soviet undersea fleet. Nuclear power allowed vessels to stay under water for longer periods, run quieter than their diesel-electric counterparts, and range out nearly indefinitely. This, coupled with a missile-only armament, made the Hotel-class a feared enemy capable of surfacing nearly anywhere in the world to launch its lethal payload if not detected first. The Hotel-class also benefitted from a proven - and improved - control scheme which made it more controllable (and quieter) under the sea.
All of the Hotel-class boats managed to see retirement, being decommissioned from 1987 into 1991. Lead ship K-19 was the first in active service when it joined the Soviet ranks on November 12th, 1960 and was the last to leave service in 1991. None of the lot were preserved and all were eventually sold for scrap.
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