Hotels in Moscow

With what must be the perfect city-centre location overlooking the Kremlin, Hotel National boasts both class and comfort in abundance. Complete with frescoed ceilings, antique furniture and early 20th-century style, this is the obvious choice for someone seeking a classic, old-fashioned luxury hotel in Moscow. Rooms vary, but some of the better ones afford splendid views of the Kremlin.

Although away from the centre, Cosmos Hotel Moscow is one of the best value business-class hotels in Moscow. The bronze-coloured, 26-storey, semi-circular hotel was built in 1979 by French architects to house athletes and officials during the Moscow Olympics. Each of the 1,777 rooms, suites and apartments has an en-suite bathroom, satellite TV and mini-bar. The Moscow hotel also has a 24-hour business centre and a conference hall for up to 1,000 people with facilities for simultaneous translation.

Hotel Akvarel is one of the few small business-class hotels in Moscow that represent real value for money in this expensive city. There are just 23 clean and comfortable rooms that have slightly old-fashioned styling but modern amenities. It location, just five minutes from Red Square, makes it a perfect base for sightseeing, and the English-speaking staff offer a full range of business services. The only downside is the lack of Wi-Fi access in the meeting rooms, although there are modem ports. This is an ideal hotel for travellers who want to mix business with pleasure. Prices include breakfast, and rates are lower at weekends.

Built in 1956 as a 'little sister' to Stalin's Seven Sister skyscrapers and intended as post-war headquarters for the secret police, Moscow’s Peking Hotel was instead converted into a classic Russian hotel. The Peking was renovated in 2002 but the Stalin-era neoclassical style was preserved, and the interiors feature high ceilings, marble staircases and parquet flooring. Although slightly old-fashioned, its 130 rooms are comfortable, with satellite TV and en-suite bathrooms.