Metropol

One of Moscow’s most renowned hotels, historically a haunt for kings, politicians and cultural luminaries. Metropol still oozes tradition and opulence in equal measure, and offers impeccable service, sumptuous rooms and a host of amenities including a top-end restaurant and spa.

Location

10 / 10

It’s a three minute walk to major sights such as Red Square, the Kremlin and the Bolshoi theatre, and a slew of restaurants, bars and cafés are also within easy striking distance. There are three Metro stations within half a mile.

Style and Character

9 / 10

Originally designed to host a privately-owned operatic theatre, the original iteration of this glamorous building was transformed into a hotel in the 1890s and then, following a fire, rebuilt in 1905 by a high-end team of architects and artists such as Lev Kekushev, Vladimir Shukhov and Mikhail Vrubel, some of whose works still remain throughout the hotel, along with oodles of Art Nouveau stucco, custom-made sculptures and oil paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Service and Facilities

8 / 10

There isn’t much lacking here in terms of either. There’s a swimming pool, sauna, and beauty salon for pampering, a business centre and fourth floor executive lounge, which also offers butler service on request and a room full of books on Russian art and history. Staff are dressed in uniforms by a famous Russian designer and trained to perfection.

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

Rooms

8 / 10

Guest rooms are as lavish as the rest of the hotel: all are adorned with tasteful antique furnishings, high-quality bed linens and oil paintings, as well as mod cons such as minibars, working desks and satellite television, though some have been better maintained than others. The new Deluxe and Grand Deluxe signature rooms, kitted out in Art Deco style, are the plushest, and some look across to the Kremlin.

Food and Drink

9 / 10

The hotel’s main dining room, all stained-glass windows, marble pillars, and a leaded-glass roof, is famous enough to count as a city tourist attraction. Guests here have included Lenin and Stalin, Michael Jackson and King Juan Carlos of Spain, and the menu of French and Russian delicacies today is every bit as traditional and elegant as in days gone by, backed up by an extensive wine list and cheese selection.

There’s live music in the evenings as well as during breakfast, which consists of an impressive spread of European and Russian items and even sushi and sashimi. More modern cuisine (Russian with a Nordic twist) can be enjoyed in the swanky Savva restaurant, which has the bonus of a lovely terrace overlooking the Bolshoi. Drinks and snacks can be enjoyed in the refined Chaliapin bar, which also hosts a traditional Russian tea ceremony.