Who's Going
Model Crowd, Russian Actors, Fashion Crowd
Reason to Stay
Design Hotel, Budget Boutique, City Center
Hotel Type
Budget Boutique Hotel
It’s really the only boutique hotel currently found in Moscow that offers a gratifying first impression, located in a stylish 19th century 6-story belle époque building, with stylish high-design interiors by little-known Canadian architect Rapheal Shafir. With most of Moscow’s grand hotel buildings managed by national conglomerates, it’s refreshing to see an independent boutique hotel without mass-marked design accessed through a glass-enclosed lobby with illuminated reception area and glossy lounge arranged in leather-clad banker chairs and soft-beat of lounge music complete with a giant 10-foot apple sculpture.<br /> <br />With not an NYC reference to be found, perhaps they don’t realize the whole Big Apple reference; the hotel is home to an underappreciated Apple Restaurant and Bar serving Moscow’s martini culture with a decent happy hour complete with a hearty menu of Russian cuisine enjoyed in a bold and colorful dining room wrapped in drapes or small street terrace that doesn’t heat-up till well into June. Located 10-minutes from Pushkinskaya Square, the location lacks the dazzle of other Red Square-based hotels but with a digestible price tag that makes up for the lack of views and buzz. <br />
The Room
Bigger than it looks, or perhaps just more guest room that this 6-story hotel should afford, entry-level guest rooms are expectedly cramp with industrial apple-logo carpeting and way-too dramatic drapery that conceals neighborhood views but not nightlife traffic noise. Chunky TV sets and banquet dining room chairs repurposed as side chairs in fluorescent colors make drab seem almost ugly. Deluxe corner rooms are slightly better, and larger at 250-sq. ft., offering glass-topped desks and colorful red club chairs with simple tile bathrooms with stall shower. Larger suites are the way to go if looking for anything easy on the eyes, with stainless-steel kitchens and oversize living area that could use a bit more furniture aside from the side-by-side Le Corbusier chairs.
Preferred Room
Deluxe
Special Features
Hip Clientele, Kitchen Suites, City Center
Amenities
Bar, Lounge, Cafe
