Moscow Accommodation
Daniel Allen
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine, its neighbor to the southwest, marking an escalation to a conflict that began in 2014 with the Russian annexation of Crimea and the Donbass region.
Tverskoy District
Tverskoy District's trio of iconic landmarks: The Kremlin, Red Square and St. Basil's Cathedral are the three most recognized symbols of Russia for foreign tourists. Characterized by historic architecture and new commerce, Tverskoy is all about shopping, sightseeing and expensive cuisine.
With over 20 theatres, the Tverskoy District is also one of Moscow's cultural hubs. Venues range from the old-school Bolshoi Theatre near Teatralnaya subway station through to the cutting edge Teatr.doc in Trekhprudny Pereulok. The Pushkin Cinema on Pushkinskaya Ploshchad (Pushkin Square) hosts the opening and closing ceremonies the Moscow International Film festival each year, while the 200-year-old Sanduny Bathhouse on Ulitsa Neglinnaya is also a must-try.
- Recommended: Park Hyatt
Best for couples
Located in the heart of Moscow, the Ararat Park Hyatt is one of the best situated 5-star hotels in the Russian capital. Just a few minutes' walk from iconic landmarks such as the Kremlin, Red Square and Saint Basil's Cathedral, the hotel is a stone's throw from the famous Bolshoi Theatre. Parliament House, Moscow's central business district, and the luxury shopping malls TsUM and GUM are also nearby.
Designed by New York-based architect Tony Chi, the Park Hyatt's extensive complement of rooms and suites offer some of the most sumptuous Moscow accommodation available, making the hotel perfect for a romantic break. Options for fine dining and drinking include the legendary Café Ararat, known for its Armenian specialties, the Conservatory Lounge & Bar, recognized as one of the best bars in the world by Architectural Digest for its panoramic views over the city and contemporary design, the elegant Neglinka Lounge, The Park Restaurant and the trendy Japanese eaterie Enoki.
The Park Hyatt's Quantum Spa & Health Club boasts the latest cardiovascular technology for fitness enthusiasts, together with a host of massage, body and skin treatments and an indoor swimming pool.
Ararat Park Hyatt
4 Neglinnaya Street
+7 495 783 1234
- Peter 1 Hotel
Best for local sights
A reasonably-priced boutique hotel (says 5-star but more like 4-star), Peter 1 boasts a great location just down from the Park Hyatt on Neglinnaya. The Bolshoi Theatre, TsUM shopping mall and Red Square are all within easy walking distance. The top floor VIP area actually boasts more luxurious rooms, extra amenities and great views over the city centre.
Opened in 2006, the hotel is housed in a completely reconstructed late 19th century mansion that retains its beautiful, neoclassical facade. Inside, the hotel's designers have achieved an appealing balance of classical elegance and smart, modern minimalism, with spacious guest rooms and a good range of superior services including a fitness centre (with Turkish hammam) and Wi-Fi throughout.
Peter 1
17 Neglinnaya Street
+7 495 925 3050
- Petrovka Loft
Local hideaway
For budget travellers in Moscow, it's hard to look beyond the Petrovka Loft. Housed in a former Soviet communal apartment building, this superior hostel does have 4 floors and no lift, but the location (10 minutes walking to Red Square) and price make it a little gem. The staff are friendly and generally speak excellent English. The communal showers and toilets are well-equipped, spotless and rarely all occupied.
The Petrovka Loft has recently been renovated, with all ten bedrooms boasting freshly painted white walls, exposed brickwork and wood fixtures. Televisions, DVD players, Wi-Fi, a mini-bar, safe and air conditioning all come as standard.
Petrovka Loft
House 17/2, Entrance 2, Petrovka Street
+7 (495) 621 7519
Meshchansky District
More relaxed than many of Moscow's other districts, Meshchansky covers a large swathe of the centre and is dominated by pre-revolutionary residential buildings - many of them painted a uniform yellow colour.
The district's busiest thoroughfare is Ulitsa Maroseyka, which originates in Kitay Gorod and eventually becomes Ulitsa Pokrovka. Home to many popular cafes and restaurants, it also boasts numerous upmarket boutiques. Meschansky's many attractions include the Dome Cinema, MGU Botanical Garden and quirky Durov Animal Theatre.
With a beautiful pond that turn into a skating rink in winter, Chistoprudny Boulevard is great for leisurely walks, while Maly Theatre (right next to the Bolshoi Theatre) on Teatralnaya Ploschad offers classical plays by the likes of Chekhov and Pushkin.
- Recommended: Savoy Moscow
Best for food
Housed in an elegant Russian neoclassical building on picturesque Ulitsa Rozhdestvenka, the Savoy Moscow originally opened in 1913 and was a centre of Moscow literary life before the October Revolution in 1917. Today it is one of Moscow's most opulent hotels, particularly noteworthy for it small size and traditional approach to luxury.
Surrounded by exclusive boutiques and restaurants in the heart of Meshchansky District, the Savoy is short walk from both the Bolshoi Theatre and Red Square. There are also two metro stations very close by.
With only 67 guest rooms, the Savoy is one of the few small luxury hotels in Moscow with international levels of service and comfort. Despite its size, the Savoy has a full range of 5-star business and leisure facilities, including elegant conference venues and a luxurious fitness centre with swimming pool.
The Savoy Hotel's imposing Savoy Restaurant is one of the most elegant and famous dining rooms in Moscow, with a truly palatial interior designed to mirror the elegance of Versailles, and a menu featuring classic Russian and European haute cuisine. The beautifully preserved interior boasts a marble fountain, a spectacular ceiling featuring hand-painted frescoes and elaborate chandeliers, while there is live music every evening.
Savoy Moscow
Building 1, 3/6 Rozhdestvenka Street
+7 495 620 8500
- Godunov Hotel
Best for value
Situated 600 metres from the Bolshoi Theatre, this mid-range hotel is a reasonably-priced option for those seeking comfort without major expense. The Godunov Hotel is a 5-minute walk from both the Trubnaya and Kuznetsky Most metro stations, while the Legenda Tsvetnogo Business Centre is also a 5-minute walk away. Red Square and St. Basil's Cathedral are about a mile.
Well-appointed rooms feature air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen cable TVs, private bathrooms and mini-bar. Served up in the hotel cafe, the daily breakfast offers traditional Russian options such as kasha (porridge) and bliny (pancakes).
Godunov Hotel
4 Nizhniy Kiselnyy Pereulok, Moscow
+7 495 111 2200
- Hostel White Rabbit
Best for singletons
An incredibly cheap option for shoestring travellers (beds from around £5 a night), the Hostel White Rabbit is not to be confused with the more upmarket restaurant of the same name. About 400 metres from Moscow's Olympic Stadium, it is well placed for the Bolshoi Theatre, Red Square and Pushkin Square, as well as the Obraztsov Puppet Theater and Museum and Durov Animal Theatre. The Tsvetnoy Bulvar metro station is a 10-minute walk.
Private and dormitory rooms are available - there is also a well-equipped communal kitchen and clean bathrooms.
Building 3, 10 Olimpiyskiy Prospekt
hostel-white-rabbit.moscowotel.ru
Arbat District
One of Moscow's most famous neighbourhoods, the Arbat District is packed with world-class art museums and smaller, artist-dedicated galleries, not to mention the elaborate Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and the world-class Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts. The district's two most important avenues are Old Arbat and New Arbat.
An attractive, cobble-stoned precinct lined with gift shops and cafes, and typically packed with portrait artists, poets and musicians, the pedestrian-only Old Arbat area is beloved by many Muscovites, who usually refer to it simply as "the Arbat". New Arbat is more of a modern entertainment area, with glitzy shopping malls myriad restaurants.
- Recommended: Lotte Hotel Moscow
Best for business travellers
Opened in early 2010, the Lotte Moscow is one of the Russian capital's most luxurious hotels and is the first European hotel from the Lotte chain, South Korea's leading luxury hotel brand.
Situated at the junction of Ulitsa Novy Arbat and the Garden Ring, the Lotte Hotel Moscow is about 1½ miles from the Kremlin, and a short walk from from the famous Ulitsa Arbat, a historic street with numerous visitor attractions, including numerous souvenir stalls and street performers. The nearest metro station is 200 metres away.
Rooms at the Lotte feature a full range of amenities, with classically elegant interior designs and spectacular views over Moscow's downtown area and the nearby Moskva River. The hotel also boasts a luxurious spa and fitness centre with treatments reflecting its Asian origins. The hotel's dining options include the MENU restaurant offering European cuisine, and MEGU, a Japanese fusion restaurant.
Business travellers are well catered for at the Lotte Hotel, with six state-of-the-art meeting venues as well as a full range of services for business, including an innovative "Club Floor". The hotel is conveniently located for major business destinations, including the World Trade Centre and ExpoCenter.
Lotte Moscow
Building 2, 8 Novinskiy Boulevard
+7 495 256 2977
- Mercure Arbat Moscow
Best for breakfast
This elegant and recently opened 4-star hotel is located in the centre of the Arbat District, a 2-minute walk from Smolenskaya metro station. The cafes, shops and boutiques of Mercure Arbat Moscow are a 5 to 10 minute walk away, while sights such as the Kremlin and Red Square are a 15-minute subway ride.
The hotel's stylish rooms boast free Wi-Fi, Nespresso machines (Privilege rooms only), air conditioning and flat-screen TVs, while other amenities include a gym, infrared sauna, bar, library and meeting room. French and Russian cuisine is served daily in the chic La Promenade restaurant, while a lavish buffet breakfast is also laid on each morning.
Mercure Arbat Moscow
6 Smolenskaya Square
+7 495 225 0025
- Privet Hostel
Best for singletons
Claiming to be the biggest hostel in the centre of Moscow, Privet is located in a former family house near the Kurskaya metro station. It takes around 10 minutes to get to the hostel on foot from the subway.
There are numerous room options here: singles, doubles and dormitories. Beds are comfortable and clean, while the shared bathrooms are modern and well-maintained. There's also a well-equipped kitchen, underground parking and free Wi-Fi throughout.
Unlike many hostels, Privet also has a cafe and bar - a great place to meet fellow travellers if you're travelling alone - while the unexpected amenities are rounded off with a free gym and big screen movie theatre.
Privet
Building 2, 3 Podsosenskiy Pereulok
+7 (495) 374-59-49
Zamoskvorechye District
The Zamoskvorechye (literally "beyond the Moskva River) District is a diverting mix of old and new. Steeped in tsarist history, it retains the veneer of old-school, Stalinist glamour, with imposing facades and stately embankments. Despite its dramatic architecture, most of Zamoskvorechye is fairly quiet, with many of its streets providing an oasis of tranquility in the heart of Russia's bustling capital.
Highlights of Zamoskvorechye include the world famous Tretyakov Gallery, the beautiful Novokuznetskaya Metro station, museums dedicated to Igor Talkov (a popular Russian singer murdered in 1991) and poet Sergei Yesenin, and a monument to the famous poet Anna Akhmatova.
- Recommended: Baltschug Kempinski
Best for views
Situated directly opposite the Kremlin, Red Square and St Basil's Cathedral, the Baltschug Kempinski offers unrivaled views over Moscow's most iconic landmarks. With a classically beautiful facade dating back to 1898, it was the city's first five-star accommodation.
Following a redesign in 2012 to celebrate its twentieth anniversary, the Kempinski's newly renovated interiors provide a sophisticated ambiance while rooms - many of which offer magnificent views of the Moskva River and Kremlin - are spacious, comfortable and equipped with all the most modern amenities, as well as marble bathrooms. There are also state-of-the-art business and conferencing facilities and a small but well appointed spa and fitness centre with 12 metre pool.
The Kempinski offers excellent options for wining and dining. For meat eaters the open kitchen Baltschug Grill is on of the best places in Moscow to eat steak: whether it be a massive entrecote or a more delicate "Lady's steak". The Sunday Magnum Brunch offers free-flow French champagne from magnum bottles. The Cafe Kranzler has the atmosphere of a Viennese cafe, where patrons enjoy the aroma of ground coffee beans and fresh pastries.
Baltschug Kempinski
1 Ulitsa Balchug
+7 495 287 2000
- Hotel Ibis Moscow Centre Bakhrushina
Best for value
This cheerful, new and very reasonably-priced 3-star hotel is located in the centre of Moscow, a five minute walk from Paveletskaya Metro Station. The Hotel Ibis Moscow Centre Bakhrushina is part of an Accor complex which also includes a 4-star hotel and 4-star "aparthotel" - all services and amenities are shared.
The Bakhrushina is located in the centre of historical Zamskvorechye, close to shops, restaurants and nightlife. The famous Tretyakov Gallery is a fifteen minute walk, while Red Square is 20 minutes on foot. Bright, air-conditioned rooms offer warm-coloured interiors and modern decor, with flat-screen TV, private bathroom and free Wi-Fi.
Hotel Ibis Moscow Centre Bakhrushina
11 Ulitsa Bakhrushina
+7 495 720 5301
- Crossroads Hotel
Best for young couples
This comfortable and surprisingly stylish hotel sits on the embankment of the Moskva River, with many rooms at the Crossroads Hotel offering great views of the water and waterfront. Staff are friendly and most speak some English. The Paveletskaya metro station is a 15-minute walk away, giving easy access to nearby attractions such as Red Square, the Kremlin and Bolshoi Theatre.
Rooms are clean and functional, with private bathrooms, air conditioning, flat-screen TV, tea and coffee, while there are also facilities for making a basic breakfast. The local area boasts numerous cafes, with the hotel offering a food delivery service.
Crossroads Hotel
32/34 Kosmodamianskaya Naberezhnaya
+7 495 951 8535
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