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One of the city’s longest-lasting five-star contenders, the Kempinski has been providing high-end accommodation since 1992. The stunning location on the riverside separates it from the city centre, but places it among the offices of oil companies, banks and pension funds in this affluent neighbourhood. Purpose-built, the designers foresaw the need for conference facilities in a Moscow that then sorely lacked them—up to 200 people can attend meetings at the hotel. If the room rates aren’t a problem for you, the walking distance to the nearest Metro is unlikely to worry you much either.
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A breath of Scandinavian fresh air among the otherwise heavily traditional hotels in the high-end category. Purpose-built into a new office/arts complex, guests here are very likely to be employees of the multinational corporations whose offices are across the footbridge, or perhaps major music artistes appearing at Moscow’s largest and newest concert hall opposite. Up to 130 people can fit into the largest of the hotel’s eight conference rooms. Arrivals on British Airways, Swissair or Trans-Aero will find this hotel within five minutes’ walk of Paveletsky Station, the city end of the AeroExpress train service to Domodedovo Airport.
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The Mayakovskaya location makes this a perennial favourite with those who really know the layout of the city, a short walk to Pushkin Square and with Patriarch’s Ponds just a block or two away. Russian film stars seem to enjoy staying here and can often be seen in the lobby or the health club, which is (unusually) open 24 hours. The Tchaikovsky Concert Hall is a few steps across the road. Seven meeting rooms offer a total space of 855 square meters.
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A mere pas de deux from the Bolshoi Theatre, the Royal Aurora prides itself on being the most expensive hotel in town. Pavarotti and former President Bush (Snr) figure among the recent recipients of its 'personal butler service’, which is offered to all rooms, not only those of operatic tenors. Although it’s in the very centre of the city, only the lobby looks onto a traffic-lined street (Petrovka). The rooms overlook the chic (and quiet) pedestrian thoroughfares of boutiques and cafés behind the hotel. Five discreet meeting rooms are available for discussions and conventions. In-house dining is of the finest imaginable quality, although the nearby environs of the hotel are lined with equally good choices by way of variety.
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The smallest of the three Marriott properties in the city, this hotel has turned this into a virtue and is well known for charming and friendly personal service. Located a stone’s throw from Belarussky Station, this is as far north as one could fairly call the centre (which is defined by all Muscovites as the Circle Line of the Metro system). Without a swimming pool, it notches up only four stars, but in every other respect the comfort level isn’t different from the two other properties.
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The Radisson group conceived this as an entire 'village’ development in 1991, and the complex includes not only the hotel itself, but also a multiplex cinema (whose fate now seems uncertain), shops, a casino and various other mall-style facilities. Conferences are a big draw for this hotel, which can seat up to 1,000 attendees. The area seems picturesque on the Moskva River (sightseeing boats leave from a quay nearby), but the monolithic Kievsky railway station not only spoils the view but brings with it the usual social problems that hang around railway stations. The hotel is now fenced off from the surroundings. However, it’s more depressing than actually dangerous and shouldn’t restrict your movements. The bright lights of the Garden Ring beckon from close by.
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One of the first purpose-built Western hotels (then under the Penta brand) in 1991, the location could, frankly, be more central. It’s a perfect convention hotel, however, and everything is under one roof and well thought out. And conventions are big business for this hotel, whose facilities can seat up to 800 delegates at once (in different rooms, obviously). It’s also reasonably located for access to the Sokloniki Conference Centre. Moderate prices (by Moscow’s inflated standards) make this a popular business choice.
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The first five-star hotel in the city, the Sheraton is senior enough to have already had a makeover. If one remembers that the real heart of the city is Pushkin Square (Red Square is merely a ceremonial parade ground), then this is quite central, and in good company as the Marriott Tverskaya is just across the road. The recent alterations introduced 12 meeting rooms for conference and convention use. Upgrade your stay to the Towers Floor and there are more electronics in your room than a KGB listening centre—fax, CD player, etc. In-house dining in this hotel is especially good, and it quietly carries out the bakery functions of one or two other foreign hotels in the city.
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Clunky Soviet grandeur with a makeover, this four-star edifice would appeal to traditionalists, cold warriors and Sovietologists. Piled over the Yar cabaret-restaurant in 1952, the peculiarities of Moscow’s climate have softened the garish pink of the marble exterior. Careful remodelling has succeeded in creating some conference facilities (for up to 150 people) from the yawning spaces of the original design. The long hike to the nearest Metro was presumably no inconvenience to the Soviet dignitaries once delivered here by limousine. Although not far from the centre, the [address] has little snob value today. The Romen Romany Theatre is next door, for anyone who’s already finished Gideon’s Bible.
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Newly opened in 2005, Swissotel is the latest pretender to the five-star throne in Moscow. Arranged over 34 floors in an eye-catching tower that dominates the city skyline, it’s directly adjacent to the equally high-tech Music Palace (Dom Muzyky) complex. Stunningly equipped rooms feature ergonomic furniture and broadband internet facilities, espresso machines and flat-screen TVs. There are 11 meeting rooms with full facilities and a purpose-built spa centre. Like the adjacent Kristina, Swissôtel is excellently located for the airport express service to Domodedovo Airport.
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