Which Moscow do you want? The medieval onion-domed capital of Europe’s most east-lying country? Or modern Europe’s fastest-booming capital? Why choose? Take both! Budget/Medium hotels have been squeezed out of the very centre by the HQs of banks and oil-empires... our on-the-spot staff have pinpointed the best of the new hotels to spring-up on the centre-periphery!
KEBUR PALACE (FORMERLY TIFLIS HOTEL)
4*OSTOZHENKA, 32; METRO PARK KULTURY: If you ever find yourself in a racing-car chasing a dog and a boot around Moscow, you’ll be playing the Russian version of “Monopoly” – and this is the hotel built on the “Mayfair” square! Locations don’t get better than this in Moscow – even Count Leo Tolstoy had to be content with the next street for his mansion, despite his monumental wealth. The “restaurant with rooms” concept has come to Moscow - but when the restaurant is the most exclusive Georgian gourmet mecca in town, you know their hotel is going to be a little special! You might find yourself rubbing shoulders with media and showbiz stars here in the elegant ancient-Greek-style swimming-pool and spa – in fact we’ve booked a Covent Garden star into the hotel ourselves. But real stars prefer exclusivity and privacy, and there’s no marble-fountain or gold bath-tap vulgarity at this secluded and discreet little gem of a hotel. Nearby: neighbours are the Pushkin Fine Arts Museum and the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour – and Count Tolstoy’s Mansion. Our prices are based on standard rooms – there’s a supplement (prices on request) for rooms with views onto Ostozhenka itself. There are lots of elegant dining options nearby, but frankly the finest gourmet cuisine in town is in the hotel’s own restaurant.
Prices on application
ZOLOTOI KOLOS HOTEL 2*
15 YAROSLAVSKAYA ST, METRO: VDNKh: The hotel opened in the 1950s, and like many soviet hotels of the period, occupies several adjacent blocks along one street. Although the architecture is unlovely from the street it’s practical from within – the rooms are quite spacious with large windows, and even the “unrenovated” rooms have been cheerfully redecorated and are kept spankingly clean. Nearby: there are a few cafes along the 6-7 minute walk to the oddly-named Metro “V.D.N.Kh”, which Muscovites pronounce as “Vaden-Ka”, but is actually short for “Exhibition Of Economic Achievement” – a bizarre Soviet Disneyland in which the USSR Government showed-off those elements of the Soviet Union which were working as intended… which included everything from Space Achievement to Beekeeping. Even though most of the pavilions are closed these days, the XXL-sized architecture, grounds and gardens are still open as a pleasure-garden, and children of all ages can even take a road-train around the (enormous) landscaped grounds. Adjacent is the Space Memorial and eternal flame to those cosmonauts who never came back.
NB This hotel has multiple blocks that feature some grim 1* rooms we don’t use; and some 3* rooms – but if you are after 3* there are better-value hotels we’d prefer to offer!
Prices on application
IRBIS HOTEL 3*
GOSTIHICHNAYA 12; METRO PETROVKO-RAZUMOVSKAYA: Inside the unpromising-looking red-brick buildings of this hotel are some of the best 3* rooms you’ll find in Moscow – spacious, airy, with big bathrooms, new Scandinavian-style furniture and excellent facilities that even include a private chilled filtered water-fountain in each room. The hotel has an internet room and wi-fi (small fee applies) in the lobby-bar, plus an ATM. Russia Experience have their Moscow office located in this hotel, too. Nearby: although there no real “sights” nearby, there’s a huge outdoor market for everything from winter coats to cream cakes. Petrovsko-Razumovskaya Metro Station is five minutes walk (around the market) away, and the handy “grey” line drops you at the Circus, Pushkin Square or the Kremlin within 5-6 direct stops.
Prices on application
SPICING IT UP!
Linking the two cites together could not be simpler, with frequent, high quality sleeper trains between the two. Please see spicing it up, which lists a full range of additional services: which includes train tickets, transfers, and local experts.
