The Ritz-Carlton Moscow

The Ritz-Carlton is one of the most luxurious hotels in Moscow, if not all of Russia. Rooms are immaculately furnished and indulgently comfortable, and facilities include several restaurants, a rooftop lounge and a comprehensive spa. The Kremlin, Red Square and other main sights are a short hop away.

Location

9 / 10

The hotel is located at the southern end of Tverskaya Street. It’s a seven-minute walk to the Kremlin and Red Square, and around half an hour to the Pushkin State Museum and the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. The surrounding area is packed with high-end fashion shops and department stores, as well as restaurants and cafés.

Style and Character

9 / 10

From the dramatic architecture to the permanently parked Porsches and Ferraris outside, to the lavishly gilded lobby, the hotel screams, well, money. The sumptuous woods (walnut, oak and mahogany) often feature intricate carved details, and public areas and rooms feature opulent textiles and materials. The hotel is so well maintained – fresh flowers daily, lift carpets changed daily to mark the day of the week, staff in crisp uniforms – there is nary a thing out of place.

Service and Facilities

9 / 10

Staff are almost telepathic in their desire to anticipate guests’ needs, tending always towards formality, even obsequiousness, in terms of interactions. The impressive La Prairie spa combines European and Eastern traditions (offering massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, and bathing rituals) and has a crystal-studded pool, steam room, beauty salon and café.

There’s also personal butler service, an elegant ballroom and a large 24-hour fitness centre with Technogym fitness machines, free weights, personal trainers, yoga classes and more. The spacious Ritz-Carlton Club Level on the 11th floor has a summer terrace featuring panoramic views, a series of free food and beverage spreads throughout the day, plus concierge staff who can secure reservations in the hotel’s spa, bars and restaurants.

Parking
Restaurant
Room service
Bar
Laundry
Pool
Sauna
Spa
Wi-Fi
Fitness centre
Steam room/hammam

Rooms

10 / 10

The rooms are very spacious and the suites boast some of the finest views in town. Even the Superior rooms (the lowest category) are luxurious, with highly comfortable beds, mahogany furnishings and large work desks. Superior rooms tend to overlook the Japanese garden and atrium, whereas Executive suites have street views and a separate living area; the Moscow and Carlton suites have especially spectacular views, while the lavish Presidential Suite features a spacious living room with a library and a grand piano.

Bathrooms are fitted with marble from Portugal and Siberia, and feature elegant robes and Asprey toiletries.

Food and Drink

9 / 10

The highlight of the hotel’s culinary offerings is the rooftop O2 Lounge, where you can sample seafood dishes (including sushi) or drink cocktails while taking in the Kremlin and Red Square. Down on the ground floor, the dimly lit, neoclassical Café Russe is a modern steakhouse, and the Novikov Restaurant & Bar serves a broad array of pan-Asian cuisine, including 15 varieties of sake. A VIP room is dedicated to single-malt whiskeys.

Breakfast is served in Café Russe and features a regal spread of cold cuts, warm dishes, sparkling wine and smoothies, salmon, plus a selection of mueslis. The hotel lobby – normally populated with a mix of high-flying business types and tourists – offers coffees and light bites during the day, and champagne, wine and spirits with live music in the evenings.

Value for Money

8 / 10

Double rooms from RUB 16,100 (£180) in low season; and from RUB 60,000 (£685) in high, excluding 18 per cent VAT. Breakfast buffet costs RUB 2,850 (£33) per person. Free Wi-Fi.